I am taking suggestions.
February 12th, 2007For the past couple of days I’ve been trying to write a 30 Rock spec script. Everyone I know—as if directed by some mystical force—has recently decided to write a spec script and rather than feeling left is the dust, I’ve decided to try my hand at it too.
It turns out that writing a spec script is kind of hard. I’m a little lost. I feel as though I can “write funny”— I can access funny specifics, I can write funny banter, I can make cute references.
But what I can’t seem to do is come up with a plot to hang the funny on.
What’s the story going to be about? What actually happens in the show? What’s the plot? Seriously, someone give me some ideas. Does anyone watch 30 Rock?
I am taking suggestions.
February 13th, 2007 at 12:31 am
The main setup for 30 Rock is almost always Jack/Alec Baldwin or Tracy making some sort of outlandish demand, or Liz/Tina getting nitpicky and/or self-concious. Potential strings:
• Jack insists the show be “punched up” for sweeps without specifying how.
• Tracy has to give an award at the Emmy’s but plans on running off with it.
• Liz feels slighted when everyone goes out to lunch without her. She spoils Kenneth in retaliation.
Then, you need a zany b-plot, generally involving a few extra characters.
• Toofer and J.D. are unable to see eye to eye about the delicate matter of fart jokes.
• Judah Friedlander wears a hat that offends someone on a studio tour, and is forced to give tours for a day to teach him some discipline.
• Rachel Dratch sneaks around as an obsessive fan who tries to get everyone’s autograph. No one so much as blinks an eye, much to her chagrin.
Disclaimer: Despite watching a fair amount of 30 Rock, I probably have no idea what the fuck I’m talking about.
February 13th, 2007 at 10:09 am
“A” story: Liz goes to a singles/masquerade party and falls deeply in love with another guest who turns out to be…… Jack?!
“B” story: Tracy declares a bid for the presidency of the United States
“C” story: J.D. discovers a power ring that grants him the ability of telekinesis.
February 13th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Also, I’ve never seen the show.
February 13th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Who’s J.D.?
February 13th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Is J.D. the person I’m thinking of as “Josh”?
February 14th, 2007 at 5:02 am
Mitch, no offence but judging from your record you’d be denied any chance at a 30 Rock script because it’d have jokes. As far as I can see, that’s the one thing outlawed on set.
I should add that I’ve only downloaded last week’s, where there’s some oh-ho Unhilarious sexual tension between Tina Fey and Daniel Baldwin, Ally McMeal’s PA gets into a oh-ho non hysterical twiddle with Paul Reubens playing a terminally ill prince and Larry David’s younger clone has a think about adultery, but then decides it’s probably best for him if he doesn’t do it.
Actually thinking about it, why can’t that be your plot! Just change the characters around, no-one’ll notice!
February 16th, 2007 at 12:25 am
J.D. is more commonly known as “Lutz”. My apologies for using the wrong end of the name while digging through IMDB.