There’s an interesting article by Emru Townsend in the latest issue of Canadian Screenwriter Magazine called The Revolution is Being Televised. (Unfortunately, only a small section of that magazine is available online and this article is not part of it). Townsed asks the question: What does the re-invention of television technology (cell phone, iPod, etc) mean for writers?
« For now, some networks are « airing » selected past episodes of their offerings on the Internet. Some of the more adventurous, like Cartoon Network, are planning to premiere episodes of new series online.
The interesting thing about this discussion so far is how little it involves creators. Directors are rarely spoken of, and writers even less. Content may be king, but right now the majors are most concerned with repurposing existing content. At best, original content – such as web only programming – is an extension of existing properties. »
I was searching for more articles on the Web about this subject when I came upon this freshly posted item on Hollywood Reporter:
« The mysteries of ABC’s « Lost » are about to get bigger — and smaller.
The Emmy-winning hit is spawning a second series for mobile phones in a deal soon to close with a major U.S. carrier, sources said. About 20 episodes — each several minutes long — are being shot next month in Hawaii to hit phones sometime early next year.
The deal is a fresh example of the broadcast networks’ rush to embrace portable media — but this time with original content. Titled « Lost Video Diaries, » the series will introduce two characters said to be stranded alongside the cast featured on the primetime version. As fans of the series know, not all of the dozens of survivors of the fictional plane crash depicted on the series get screen time. While the story lines of the pair will be new to « Lost » viewers, the events depicted in the primetime version will inform their story lines. »
I often wonder what my career will be like in 3 to 5 years – that is, when I manage to shut off the voices that tell me I might have to go work at Tim Hortons. Will I get involved in writing original « mini stories » for cell phones, PDAs or game consoles? Will it be natural for all writers to venture into these mediums? And most importantly, will we get paid fairly for content that we wrote for movies or television that gets repurposed on other platforms?
Speaking of Lost, I really enjoyed last night’s show, and not only because I’m a big fan of Michelle Rodriguez (move over, Evangeline Lilly. Michelle really knows how to kick ass ;-) The beat of the show was very fast and even though we already knew what the outcome was (the two groups meeting), it still managed to remain suspenseful. I love the freedom the writers give themselves with the story and time lines on this show. I really had doubts that they could maintain my interest through a second season but so far, I’m amazed to say they do.