2008: The Directors and Writers Thread

[dm.]

He also spent two years as a director for Sunset Beach and five years as an associate director for Santa Barbara.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

That's probably how he got his job at GH a few years back, Jill probably remembered him. Say what you want about her, but she knows how to work with her directing team and hire the right people.

Griffith needs to go though, talk about a lousy EP. He can't be fired soon enough, if you ask me.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Cool!

Do you know if you're getting current storylines or storylines from a few months back? If you need any backstory, you can always ask me.

[Sylph]

What's with the Jill Farren lovefest?!?!?! You used to hate the woman!

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I still hate certain things about her, but I love the fact that she does her job. I started liking her more when I realized that too many people blame her for problems that are mainly the result of Guza and Frons, and I don't think she's to blame for GH's current state (at least most of the blame doesn't fall on her).

When the writing is good, she can produce the hell out of her shows. Harding LeMay, Nancy Curlee, and others have all said lovely things about her. I think she's a very misunderstood soap opera producer. Yes, she's responsible for as much bad as good, like some of the decisions she made on AW and OLTL in particular, but I still think she's a good EP, and I'm sticking by that.

Yes, she may be a bit on the bitchy side, but she's not there to be hold everyone's hand, she's there to do her job and she does it. I happen to think she's wonderful on the production side of things.

Now I must ask, what's with your Sara A. Bibel love all of a sudden? You never said much about her until she started blogging.

[Sylph]

Your memory deceives you - wasn't I the one who said to Toups that I could set up an interview with her before she started blogging? And was still a part of AMC, I think.

So it's not all of a sudden. I love it how she progressed from coordinator to BDW, I love her being a Harvard alumna, I love her writing (both blog & soap), so I just like - her. And I'm sad that things didn't work out with AMC, 'cause I really think she should break away from Y&R. At least for a while.

As much as I'd like her to write for any soap, I'd prefer it if she went primetime. I have a feeling she would shine there.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Sylph just gave me an explanation. Did you guys see this? Am I dreaming?

[Sylph]

Tomorrow is July 1st. Any news and scoops expected?

[Dan]

God I love you.

I couldn't agree more. Now, of course, OLTL is still miles better than any other show right now, but Ron is no (you saw this coming didn't you?) Nancy Curlee or Douglas Marland.

I think the one thing I DO like about Ron is that he has passion for the show, which is one thing I can't say about any other show. I know it because I FEEL it in his writing. It has alot of heart.

But he also needs to slow things down and build up things more gradually. Dorian used a dummy corporation to steal BE stock and we didn't get a clue until she shows up at the stockholders meeting. This IS a soap opera. Don't do what Ellen Wheeler is doing on GL. Use serialized stories for God's sake.

Not to mention his script writers suck major ass.

[rain1]

Mimi Leahey edited (largely unmessed-with) during her tenure at AMC. Jeff Beldner has been editing since Mimi moved on, but Megan McTavish "edited over him", as did James Harmon Brown. This means that Jeff's edits were either "improved upon" (sic) or overridden, so whatever made it to air may or may not have been Jeff's (and/or the SW's) handiwork. Keep in mind that our beloved actors tend to "ballpark" a lot of their lines-- verbatim readings are as rare as hen's teeth-- which is understandable when one considers how many pages of dialogue they're required to memorize, as well as the break-neck production speed. Rule of thumb for "serious" writers: if you want to hear your words as written, write plays.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Sad thing is, Rob C is probably the closest to a Curlee that we have these days. Both were fans of their respective shows for years prior to writing for it, both worked their way up on their shows (granted, Nancy did work her way up a lot faster), and both were comparatively younger writers when they stepped into the HW position. Though I guess Nancy did inherit a show that was already good, whereas Ron inherited a show that was severely damaged.

I know some are against promoting from within, but I think it's a natural step. I'd kill for Natalie Minardi Slater and Jeff Beldner (despite his weak script editing) to be promoted at their respective shows.

And if Curlee doesn't want to come back to soap writing, I wish she'd consider consulting on the CBS soaps, they could use her. Is her husband, Stephen Demorest, another one that won't return to soap writing for political reasons? That's a shame, he's one of the best and in a way, I felt like he was the last trait left on daytime from that now classic GL era.

[Sylph]

I looooooove rain1!!!

Thank you!!

[Ryan]

He's sending episodes going back to the beginning of February. I'll be uploading them onto my server over the next couple of weeks. I'm so excited! I'll definitely come to you for help.

[Ryan]

I totally agree with you. I caught hell on ITZ for daring to defend her and give her credit for the work she's done.

Once again, I agree.

[JackPeyton]

co-sighn!

I know shes hated, but i really like JFP.

I dont undestand when people blame he for EVERYTHING ... she works for Guza! and Frons!