Comments for Running With My Eyes Closed

Comment on Sopranos Pilot Act Breaks by Sébastien

Sébastien — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:26:23 +0000

Thanks for posting this topic and thanks for the answers

Yes, I’m interested in the way the story was built. This pilot is really amazing: the story lines are so cleverly intermingled.

Ok, so it’s a classical 3 act structure. But I find it quite difficult to determine where Act 2 starts. Would you say it is when Tony has a scanner at the hospital? This would mean act 1 is about Tony’s description of the day he had his first panick attack.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Comment on Sopranos Pilot Act Breaks by Scott

Scott — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:02:30 +0000

It’s an awesome pilot. It’s almost a straight out comedy.

“Grandma’s not coming.”

“What? No fucking ziti now?”

Comment on Applying to IPF’s Web Drama Series Pilot Program by Deb Nathan

Deb Nathan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:06:22 +0000

Thanks for this Jill.

Comment on Sopranos Pilot Act Breaks by admin

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:34:51 +0000

I have the script too. And I sent it to Sébastien for his consideration. In the olden days, when I used to break down episodes for fun, I was able to discern a structure… I think. Maybe I’ll have to go look at how I broke something like Mad Men to see if it was instructive to think in terms of acts are not. Perhaps, Scott and Osbo, you’re right and there is nothing to be gained by trying to impose that structure on the story. Maybe better to look at other elements in order to learn from it.
I want to watch it again now, either way.

Comment on Sopranos Pilot Act Breaks by Scott

Scott — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:24:40 +0000

The question is what do you mean by acts.

I have a Sopranos script and there are no act breaks. If you are looking for act breaks, there aren’t any on cable. Cable shows are not written in acts, no commercial break, no structured acts in the script.

Theatrical plays written in acts do, in fact, take breaks between the acts. (At least, they are intended to.)

If you’re looking for Syd Field-ian 3 act structure, as usually applied to a feature script, you’ll probably find one in any story if you look hard enough.

I promise you David Chase did not write the pilot with structured act breaks, nor did he structure his story due to an arbitrary page count, as Mr. Field would suggest you do.

But don’t take my word for it…

http://leethomson.myzen.co.uk/Sopranos/

Comment on Sopranos Pilot Act Breaks by admin

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:21:01 +0000

It’s more about structuring the narrative that breaking away for an ad. We’re trying to get to how Chase was thinking about his story and learn from the construction. Plays don’t have commercials but they are definitely written in acts as are tv shows whether they are on commercial networks or not.

Comment on Sopranos Pilot Act Breaks by Osbo

Osbo — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:58:18 +0000

If you don’t have commercials, there’s little reason to structure an “act break”.

Comment on Television Writing in Ireland by Colm Cafferkey

Colm Cafferkey — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:29:17 +0000

Hi there,
I’m an aspiring writer with two well developed TV Series still in progress. I haven’t made any moves to get either of them produced but they are both approaching readiness. Should i get in contact with an agent and can you recommend anyone.
Regards
Colm

Comment on Distribution and Deity by Merete Grimeland

Merete Grimeland — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:42:05 +0000

Great idea to give your audience a Creative Commons license! I´ve seen so many videos made by end-users who are making the videos because they love the content and often want to merge it with other types of content they love. And all they want is for others to share their love. It´s awesome!

Comment on Summer Reading by The (winning) Books | A TV Calling

The (winning) Books | A TV Calling — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:27:05 +0000

[…] Golick just posted about summer readings, and especially about what she is going to read, Pamela Douglas’ Writing the […]