Week 4: Treatment Workshop

Today we did a close reading of an episode of The Simpsons, "Lisa the Vegetarian". We looked at:

• How the hero and the situation are designed for maximum suffering
• How every character is positioned "against" the hero, so we get literally the whole world, from family to school to community to institutional power to spiritual and moral authority amassed against the struggling protagonist
• How the hero's dramatic need serves as the emotional energy that drives her action throughout the story
• How the hero's travails (obstacles) increase in intensity as the episode progresses (rising action)

Several of you mentioned that you are writing a series that isn't exactly a linear narrative. I suggested that everyone watch a few episodes of these Channel 101/102 shows:

• American Cookbook
• The Forgotten Classics
• Return to Supermans
• The John and Jess Variety Hour
• Welcome to Our House
  

I have a feeling there were more on the list — if anyone remembers, let me know and I'll put the links up! I'll bring in some more examples for us to watch and talk about next week.

Hey, did anyone notice Channel 102 is now Channel 101NY? Hmm...

The treatments I'm reading look great! Very original and creative stuff happening — be proud, be brave, and write like the wind.

HOMEWORK:

• If you're satisfied with your treatment and feel ready to script, go for it — start writing! Bring in a first draft next week.
• If you're still hashing out your story/structure/treatment, bravo and keep going — bring in the final draft next week.
• Watch a few episodes of the shows listed above.
• Download and print out the Script Format handout so we can go over it together in class.