Actually, All My Children does use a different process from other shows.

Not trying to cross R Sinclair's path or anything - but their process is different now. The script writer receives a summary of what's in their episode, and has a day or two to make their own outline, breaking down all the scenes, and then only four or five days to write a script (as opposed to the seven other soaps get). So there's definitely a time crunch AMC has, and a double-duty they're forced to do, that other shows aren't under.

I'm not saying it's better or worse - but I do think you need somebody experienced in both breakdowns and scripts, like a Michelle Patrick or an Addie Walsh. Whereas most shows give breakdown writers three or four days to write a breakdown, and script writers a week to write a show, AMC needs somebody to do the whole process in six or seven days. So there's definitely a lot less time for exploration and concentration. You have to just get it done.

Thank you! Not just for the information, but the tone!

That's your post-strike-umatic effect. Right there, on AMC.

Thank you! Not just for the information, but the tone!

To be fair, that was just started before the strike, and they're the only ones who do it that way. So if R Sinclair was referring to most of AMC's run, then yes, they were using the same process as every other soap - head writer projection->breakdown writer-written breakdowns->script writer-written script. I was just talking about the last eighteen months, where it's now head writer bullet points->script writer-written script, with no breakdown process in the middle.

This is different from GL, ATWT and Days, which spent most of last year eliminating the breakdown writer position by having the head writer(s) write all the breakdowns themselves. In those cases, breakdowns still existed and were noted weekly by the network, they just weren't written by breakdown writers. But at AMC, breakdowns don't exist. Each script writer obviously needs to do their own work to outline their episode, but it's part of their weekly individual process, and doesn't ever get read by anybody at the network, as far as I know. But I'm a little fuzzy on how that part works.

That's your post-strike-umatic effect. Right there, on AMC.

LOL! Yeah, I clarified that in this post before I saw you said the same thing, Sylph. Sorry.

Actually, All My Children does use a different process from other shows.

Not trying to cross R Sinclair's path or anything - but their process is different now. The script writer receives a summary of what's in their episode, and has a day or two to make their own outline, breaking down all the scenes, and then only four or five days to write a script (as opposed to the seven other soaps get). So there's definitely a time crunch AMC has, and a double-duty they're forced to do, that other shows aren't under.

I'm not saying it's better or worse - but I do think you need somebody experienced in both breakdowns and scripts, like a Michelle Patrick or an Addie Walsh. Whereas most shows give breakdown writers three or four days to write a breakdown, and script writers a week to write a show, AMC needs somebody to do the whole process in six or seven days. So there's definitely a lot less time for exploration and concentration. You have to just get it done.

Now I really feel sorry for AMC's writers.

LOL! Yeah, I clarified that in this post before I saw you said the same thing, Sylph. Sorry.

Oh, don't apologize!!! People will appreciate your detailed reply very, very much!

For those soaps that still have bona-fide breakdown writers, how long do the BDWs have to write their breakdowns? You have already said SW's get 7 days.

For those soaps that still have bona-fide breakdown writers, how long do the BDWs have to write their breakdowns? You have already said SW's get 7 days.

It depends, but most have three to four days to write a breakdown.

To be fair, that was just started before the strike, and they're the only ones who do it that way. So if R Sinclair was referring to most of AMC's run, then yes, they were using the same process as every other soap - head writer projection->breakdown writer-written breakdowns->script writer-written script. I was just talking about the last eighteen months, where it's now head writer bullet points->script writer-written script, with no breakdown process in the middle.

I was referring to the time period David Hiltbrand was recalling in the article Sylph posted. The 1999-2000 period. I kinda thought that was a given, no?