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bironicFor the last ten days or so, TV writer and BtVS alum Jane Espenson has been giving tips on her blog on how to prepare spec scripts for the ABC/Disney Writing Fellowship, and one of the shows she's been using to demonstrate examples is House. It makes me wish that she would write for the show; aside from being a fantastic script writer, she -- at least, as these posts imply -- appreciates Wilson's importance in the series.
The two posts that discuss House the most are:
Making Yourself Comfortable in the House or Office - On writing a script that achieves a balance between standing out and feeling like it belongs in the series. My favorite part:
Some of the stuff in these and the other posts sounded very common sense to me, but if you're an aspiring TV writer yourself or are interested in House or TV writing in general, I recommend checking out the rest in the Disney fellowship theme, which start down the page on May 14 ("The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"). Or, you know, subscribing to her blog in general.
The two posts that discuss House the most are:
Making Yourself Comfortable in the House or Office - On writing a script that achieves a balance between standing out and feeling like it belongs in the series. My favorite part:
Use all the major regular characters. If Wilson isn't in your House, it's going to feel less like a "real" episode. That relationship is important to the show, so you should make an effort to service it.Although Wilson is a Best Friend, He is Not Also a Volleyball - On writing an effective teaser (which I've now learned is called a "cold opening") and whether to include or exclude a regular character in it. The part that makes me want to drag Espenson onto the House writing team:
I think if I were writing a House spec, I would start with Wilson (House's best friend, an oncologist) puzzling over a patient of his who has been brought in with some acute and alarming symptoms. While the patient struggles to breathe, Wilson picks up the phone and urgently demands that House come to his exam room right away. House enters (complaining) and looks confused to find the patient, still breathless and apparently alone. House is about to pivot on his cane-point and exit, when the patient points, panting, down out of frame. The camera TILTS down to find Wilson, lying unconscious at House's feet.Sick!Wilson: it's not just for fanfic anymore. No, but really, that's one of the great things about Espenson: she writes with a fan's appreciation.
Some of the stuff in these and the other posts sounded very common sense to me, but if you're an aspiring TV writer yourself or are interested in House or TV writing in general, I recommend checking out the rest in the Disney fellowship theme, which start down the page on May 14 ("The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"). Or, you know, subscribing to her blog in general.
