HOLIDAY MIRACLE: Prospect Park Back On Track To Revive AMC and OLTL

[jfung79]

It depends how breakdowns are assigned but I do think AHW's can play a role in pacing. I have seen references to breakdown writers getting assigned a week at a time to turn into outlines, not just one episode. For example, Joanna Cohen's article here describes the process: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/16/losing-all-my-children/

"On a typical soap opera there are three tiers of writers — the head writer, the outline or “breakdown” writers and the scriptwriters. Head writers are responsible for coming up with long-term story. Breakdown writers take a week’s worth of story and turn it into five outlines, one for each day. Scriptwriters take these outlines and turn them into scripts. That was my job."

I don't see how the head writer in that setup could have planned every detail of that week to the last scene -- if they had, there would be no need for the intermediate step of the outline before it becomes script form. If a breakdown writer is responsible for five outlines at a time, I don't see how they would be completely not influencing the pacing.

[Errol]

First Look at TOLN; Prospect Park Raised $25 Million in ABRY Deal?

[EricMontreal22]

He also just got a ton of attention (partly cuz he was always in his underwear) for the off-Broadway version of Christopher Durang's new play, which is meant to reopen on Broadway sometime in 2013 when stars Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde P are available... I know you can commute to CT from NYC fairly quickly, and they have a five weeks on and off schedule, but I can't see someone doing a nightly show in NY and making the commute

[EricMontreal22]

I agree but it's not always true. Hal Corley was associate HW for Broderick at AMC and ATWT (briefly) and he definitely did pitch certain major story ideas, such as much o the gay storyline and (I think) the initial Janet/Laura story, to name two examples. But he could be an exception because he seemed to have a close working relationship with LB. I think it depends on how the writer's room is run, really, by the people in charge (the HWs and/or the EPs), and their style.

I'm meh about this move--by meh I mean not excited but I'll wait and see. I do wish they had paired her up with someone from another show, but at least it's not someone I *know* to suck as a HW, like Passanante, again.

Besides didn't y'all just watch Jill Larson's little cute video? She clearly said she was excited to see what *AGNES* writes for her

Right or hinder it. Ultimately the HW has final say when it comes to pace--as they havefinal approval of the scripts (or close to final, depending onhow creatively involved the EP was--I don't know DAYS well but I assume Corday still has a lot of final say).

[EricMontreal22]

If you mean at DAYS currently (or her time under S/K at AMC in the role), some of it may be due to trust. She worked as co-HW with Whitesall under Tomlin as an EP at OLTL for a few years, so I'm sure they work closer than might sometimes be the case. She also spenta year as AHW at One Life after her and Whitesall were fired and the umm pacing was ok (when she left, along with co-HW Griffith who actually said there was too much network interference, the show fell even more apart under Malone as solo--though was at least interesting unlike Higley).

[Dale]

allmc2008, you clearly know nothing about Susan Bedsow Horgan's daytime experience.

[EricMontreal22]

Not to mention her heavy, heavy storyinvolvement during her five or so years at OLTL during one of its best eras.

[skiman12082004]

Maybe I am slow but what exactly does this mean? I'm confused!

[EnglishTea]

I was referring to her OLTL (last time around) and DAYS.

I also agree that how the room is run has a lot to do with it - in terms of pitching and pace.

Ultimately, however, a good HW has a hand in every step of the process.

[Errol]

Just showing people the ugly logo Prospect Park trademarked for TOLN and that they apparently raised $25 million in their efforts to finance AMC/OLTL.

I believe he was referring to the OLTL EP, not Susie Bedsow Horgan herself.

[skiman12082004]

Thanks Errol.

[allmc2008]

DELETE

[allmc2008]

Thanks Erroll

Let Me Clarify:

Also, we have a long running EP [Ginger Smith] at AMC who served for AMC for 20 years or so while two people who nobody truly knows anything about story-wise [McPherson/Snyder] VS an EP at OLTL that doesn't have a tenure near as long as Ginger Smith's tenure in the field of Daytime [Jennifer Peppermen]

If you tried reading the rest of my sentence you would understand what I mean. Here is the complete phrase you were quoting:

Also, we have a long running EP at AMC who served for AMC for 20 years or so while two people who nobody truly knows anything about story-wise VS an EP at OLTL that doesn't have a tenure near as long as Ginger Smith's tenure in the field of Daytime let alone OLTL but they have 2 head writers [Horgan/Racina] that have a very dynamic and iconic history in daytime.

Here is the complete phrase without marks:

Also, we have a long running EP at AMC who served for AMC for 20 years or so while two people who nobody truly knows anything about story-wise VS an EP at OLTL that doesn't have a tenure near as long as Ginger Smith's tenure in the field of Daytime

And Here is all of it (BTW if you need help reading this as well let me know!):

I am giving these AMC writers a chance because at first Marlene was to blame when it came to the pacing of DOOL under her command and now everyone is blaming her co-head for the poor pacing. Also, we have a long running EP at AMC who served for AMC for 20 years or so while two people who nobody truly knows anything about story-wise VS an EP at OLTL that doesn't have a tenure near as long as Ginger Smith's tenure in the field of Daytime let alone OLTL but they have 2 head writers that have a very dynamic and iconic history in daytime. Basically, either show has a good chance of winning and loosing. I think AMC will be great because Ginger Smith not only has 20 years of experience at AMC but Agnes is helping. Also, PP is hiring people that know there stuff so if these new head writers for AMC do not do well I can see PP hiring someone who can do a good job.

I am more nervous for the success of OLTL because Jennifer Pepperman doesn't have a lot of experience at OLTL, compared to Ginger Smith at AMC and they are EP's so they can hire/fire writers.

[EricMontreal22]

...I miss-read that too...

So I guess now we know that even if asked, Pat Elliot doesn't want to return. Which is too bad, but she more than has the right.

[Soaplovers]

I'm curious about who they have selected to play JR.. with filming a week or so away, I would assume an official casting announcement should be coming soon..