Strategy Workshop 16 Sep 05

1
SUBMITTING A WINNING DRAMA PROPOSAL
2
SETTING THE SCENE

• What is drama but life with the dull bits cut
  out.
• Alfred Hitchcock (Filmmaker)
• "The reasons why people watch movies, television
  drama and the theatre, and why they read, are not
  a mystery. We are seeking more from life, we want
  to understand life's meaning - and that of
  death." Julian Friedmann (Literary Agent)

3
12 YEAR LANDSCAPE OF DRAMA.

• Issue Laden Drama
• Linked to the socio-political landscape
• Soul City Yizo-Yizo
• Relevance vs Appeal.
• South African TV landscape at the time
• Innovative for its time
• Creative use of genre

4
THE FUTURE OF DRAMA

• Character above plot
• Stylistic and tonal variation and
  diversification not only focussed on educational
  drama
• Increase drama proposition that showcase diverse
  community stories and a common history. Broad
  range of stories African and South African
• Representation of the nation - Promote our
  common values and lead transformation

5
THE FUTURE OF DRAMA

• Creative innovations in structure, medium and
  technology
• Better delivery on mandate without compromising
  entertainment value
• Adaptation of African literature to screen
• Become more Afro-centric cut from the African
  continent

6
Telling an African story

• What is an African Story?
• Recognition
• Values
• Morality
• Regional Representation
• Mandate and Board Goals

7
Audience Needs

• Media Literacy
• Changing media consumption landscape.
• People are the commodity in television.

8
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

• Concept treatment.
• Character bibles.
• Sample script.
• Episode step outline.
• Synopsis of remaining episodes.

9
Concept and treatment

• 'If you can't explain it simply, you don't
  understand it well enough' - Albert Einstein
• New, fresh and innovative take on the idea.
• Drama is essentially about problem solving find
  new ways of solving problems and you have a novel
  idea
• Drama is about characters in conflict in front of
  an audience your idea must
• capture their imagination
• Involve conflict
• And provide solutions to dilemmas presented in
  the idea
• South African reference point.

10
Character Bibles

• Their background- where they come from?
• Who the person is.
• What drives them.
• Their, wants, needs and flaws.
• Why they make the choices they do.
• Not a summary of what the character will do in
  the story.

11
Sample Script

• 10 pages of sample script that
• Showcases writing experience
• E.g Visual language
• Showcases an understanding of the medium
  television and how script translates to
  Television
• Showcases an understanding of characters

12
Episode step outline

• Outlines the scenes within an episode in a
  step-by-step outline in order to
• Showcase action as it takes place within an
  episode
• Showcase an understanding of structure within an
  episode
• Showcase an understanding of the basics of
  storytelling
• Showcase an understanding of how the concept
  translates into engaging drama on an episodic
  level

13
Synopsis of remaining episodes

• A summary of the rest of the episodes that
• Demonstrates an understanding of structure as it
  impacts on the story
• Demonstrates an understanding of character driven
  drama
• Demonstrates an understanding of the Television
  medium and how it impacts on audiences viewing
  experiences
• Demonstrates a clear and engaging series arch.

14
If anything

• Does it have a hook is your idea unique?
• Is the story fresh and meaningful?
• Does the protagonist have a strong goal?
• Who or What is opposing the protagonist? How?
• Have you done a good job on characterization?
• Do you have a good conflict?