Wrote eight pages of Episode One tonight. Ought to be forty-five pages when complete.
I think non-Doctor scenes need slowing down - they're a bit quick at the moment, probably influenced by the 2005+ Series. Some nice talky scenes could serve the story quite well, particularly if Doctor scenes are allowed to remain fast.
Still, though, I'm getting a grip on Sinead. She's not wonderfully realised at the moment, and the script will need some hefty editing once both episodes of the story are done (and, indeed, once more of the series has been written), but I'm pleased with it so far.
Sunday 22 April 2007
New Writers
Today, I discussed the project with Grace, a friend of mine. Specifically, I discussed the idea of having other people write certain episodes, with everyone working as each other's script editors.
She seemed very fond of the idea, possibly in no small part due to her interest in Doctor Who, but finding some stories far more interesting than others. She likes historicals, and that's excellent, since I find them very difficult to handle.
Seems she's on board. I'm hoping to get some other people to handle other sorts of stories. This does, of course, require me to complete the first story soon, so that I can show people an example of what I'm after.
She seemed very fond of the idea, possibly in no small part due to her interest in Doctor Who, but finding some stories far more interesting than others. She likes historicals, and that's excellent, since I find them very difficult to handle.
Seems she's on board. I'm hoping to get some other people to handle other sorts of stories. This does, of course, require me to complete the first story soon, so that I can show people an example of what I'm after.
Wednesday 18 April 2007
Episodes One and Two
The first two episodes are a two-parter, to kick things off with a bang.
I've been working on this story for a while, and I've found myself unable to get a grip on it.
Looking back at what I've done, I think I see the problem - the pace is too consistent. I wanted a slow-burning first episode, and a fast-paced second episode, and that means that the first part is too slow.
I think the new rule is that if the Doctor is on-screen, then the story is FAST. When he's not there, it should feel like the calm before the storm. Everything's a little bit too quiet.
Still, I'm very excited about the characters and monsters.
It'll come as no surprise that this story introduces the companion. Indeed, this is the introduction of Sinead Gallagher. Originally, I'd outlined an episode seen entirely through her eyes, with the Doctor weaving in and out of her life.
I'm not fond of this method, however. The Doctor deserves equality, so more Doctor is needed. Of course, this is still Sinead's story - these are extraordinary events for her, whereas to the Doctor, it's just like any other day.
Meanwhile, I'm introducing a family of sorts to the series. I loved UNIT in the 70s, and I'm fond of a similar situation of a close-knit group. I'm aware of the 2005 series, of course, that created a literal family, but I'm not keen to go that far.
I've been working on this story for a while, and I've found myself unable to get a grip on it.
Looking back at what I've done, I think I see the problem - the pace is too consistent. I wanted a slow-burning first episode, and a fast-paced second episode, and that means that the first part is too slow.
I think the new rule is that if the Doctor is on-screen, then the story is FAST. When he's not there, it should feel like the calm before the storm. Everything's a little bit too quiet.
Still, I'm very excited about the characters and monsters.
It'll come as no surprise that this story introduces the companion. Indeed, this is the introduction of Sinead Gallagher. Originally, I'd outlined an episode seen entirely through her eyes, with the Doctor weaving in and out of her life.
I'm not fond of this method, however. The Doctor deserves equality, so more Doctor is needed. Of course, this is still Sinead's story - these are extraordinary events for her, whereas to the Doctor, it's just like any other day.
Meanwhile, I'm introducing a family of sorts to the series. I loved UNIT in the 70s, and I'm fond of a similar situation of a close-knit group. I'm aware of the 2005 series, of course, that created a literal family, but I'm not keen to go that far.
The Outline
Before doing anything else, I decided on an outline for the series.
Seeing as this is based on an American format, I decided that the series would be 24 episodes long, with each episode being 45 minutes long, with three lots of 5-minute ad breaks.
The series will feature traditional, Classic Who-style multi-parters, as well as American-style one-off episodes. The series will have several ongoing storylines (or "arcs"), in keeping with 90s American sci-fi shows.
Currently, there are two three-parters, four two-parters, and the remaining ten episodes are one-offs.
All the episodes have working titles, as well as a basic premise for the adventures.
Later on, I fleshed this outline out with a treatment, as though pitching the series to a television company. This will also serve as the template for the writing.
Seeing as this is based on an American format, I decided that the series would be 24 episodes long, with each episode being 45 minutes long, with three lots of 5-minute ad breaks.
The series will feature traditional, Classic Who-style multi-parters, as well as American-style one-off episodes. The series will have several ongoing storylines (or "arcs"), in keeping with 90s American sci-fi shows.
Currently, there are two three-parters, four two-parters, and the remaining ten episodes are one-offs.
All the episodes have working titles, as well as a basic premise for the adventures.
Later on, I fleshed this outline out with a treatment, as though pitching the series to a television company. This will also serve as the template for the writing.
Introduction
In 1996, Britain was treated to a TV film based on the Doctor Who franchise. The idea was simple - create a brand-new Doctor (the eighth), write a film with American influences, and use that film as a pilot for a potential series.
No such series was made, however. Indeed, Doctor Who would have to wait until 2005 for a new TV series.
But ... well, it's fun to ask "what if", isn't it?
Being very interested in scriptwriting myself, I've decided to start the project of writing the series that could have been - a Doctor Who series, spinning off directly from the TV film, featuring the eighth Doctor, as played by Paul McGann.
This project won't take into account anything that came afterwards, including novels, audios, comics and the 2005-present series. But it also won't intentionally contradict the TV series. The spin-off media actually support alternate dimensions for different versions of the eighth Doctor, so I'll leave the can of worms alone.
In this blog, I'll write my thoughts, experiences and methods as I go through the challenges of writing new Doctor Who.
No such series was made, however. Indeed, Doctor Who would have to wait until 2005 for a new TV series.
But ... well, it's fun to ask "what if", isn't it?
Being very interested in scriptwriting myself, I've decided to start the project of writing the series that could have been - a Doctor Who series, spinning off directly from the TV film, featuring the eighth Doctor, as played by Paul McGann.
This project won't take into account anything that came afterwards, including novels, audios, comics and the 2005-present series. But it also won't intentionally contradict the TV series. The spin-off media actually support alternate dimensions for different versions of the eighth Doctor, so I'll leave the can of worms alone.
In this blog, I'll write my thoughts, experiences and methods as I go through the challenges of writing new Doctor Who.
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