NETWORKS HIRE TOP SCREENWRITERS.Byline: Keith Marder Daily News Television Writer Who says size doesn't matter? Several prominent filmmakers willing to make the jump to the small screen, that's who. Names such as Wes Craven (``A Nightmare on Elm Street,'' ``Scream''), Barry Sonnefeld (``Get Shorty short·y also short·ie Informal n. pl. short·ies 1. A person short in stature. 2. A thing of less than average size, length, extension, or duration. adj. ,'' ``Men in Black'') and Sydney Pollack Noun 1. Sydney Pollack - United States filmmaker (born in 1934) Pollack (``Tootsie toot·sie n. Slang 1. Toots. 2. A girl or young woman. 3. or toot·sy A person's foot. [Origin unknown. ,'' ``Out of Africa'') are scattered across the development rosters at all six broadcast networks. This fits perfectly with the network's converse stance on the size issue. Size - of audience - is of paramount importance as the Big Three networks attempt to stop the bleeding. Last year alone, published reports said 2.5 million viewers fled network television. Hence a symbiotic relationship symbiotic relationship (sim´bīot´ik), n in implantology, that relationship assumed by an implant and the natural teeth to which it has been splinted. has been formed. ``They are trying to bring people back to mainstream television by luring them with names from, quote-unquote, more legitimate mediums,'' said Robert J. Thompson, head of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University Syracuse University, main campus at Syracuse, N.Y.; coeducational; chartered 1870, opened 1871. Syracuse is noted for its research programs in government and industry; facilities include the Center for Science and Technology, the Newhouse Communications Center, and . The WB network has all but been built with the talent of young, hip screenwriters. Kevin Williamson
Writers say they are attracted to television because it's more of a writer's medium. In a 22-episode television series, they can delve deeper into characters than in a two-hour film. ``Television has been a much happier experience for me than any movie,'' Whedon said. ``After working in TV and working in movies, I realized that most of the good writers are in television. It's a steady job and you are more powerful.'' Across the dial In the fine tradition that is television, success has made way for more of the same. Just as ``Friends'' and ``The X-Files'' were cloned, so has the use of movie producers, writers and directors in would-be series for the upcoming season. Network executives look at the expanded talent pool as a way to tell more interesting stories and compete with the quality of shows on cable television. This is not the occasional David Lynch (``Blue Velvet''), who descended on television in 1990 to create the quirky, stylistic ``Twin Peaks.'' Then, it was the type of news that made the cover of Time magazine. Now, it's everyday business and the act of a desperate industry. Just as the Big Three automakers had to retool re·tool v. re·tooled, re·tool·ing, re·tools v.tr. 1. To fit out (a factory, for example) with a new set of machinery and tools for making a different product. 2. their factories to keep people out of Hondas, the Big Three networks are altering the rosters of their creative teams to keep people out of ``South Park.'' Once network television was the only home entertainment game in town, but now less than 50 percent of available eyeballs are watching ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. , CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. or NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. . What is considered a hit in today's splintered market would have been destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. for cancellation as little as a decade ago. ``I remember getting canceled with a 26 share,'' Steven Bochco Steven Ronald Bochco (born December 16, 1943) is an American television producer and writer. He has been involved in a number of popular hits including Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue. , creator of ``Hill Street Blues'' and ``NYPD Blue NYPD Blue is an Emmy Award-winning hour long-running American television police drama set in New York City. It was created by Steven Bochco and David Milch and inspired by Milch's relationship with a former member of the New York City Police Department Bill Clark (who ,'' said recently. ``It's such a different world today.'' To put it in perspective, ``Touched by an Angel,'' CBS' top-ranked show, averages a 22 share, which places it sixth in all of television. In addition to the cable competition, ABC, NBC and CBS have found three more broadcast networks to contend with since the mid-1980s. And, with less at stake, the smaller entities are able to take risks. ``All of the shows with buzz that people want to talk about happen on the fringes of television,'' said Thompson. ``Stuff like `Ally McBeal For the character, see . Ally McBeal is an award-winning American television series which ran on the FOX network from 1997 to 2002. The series was created by David E. Kelley, who also served as the executive producer, along with Bill D'Elia. ,' `The Simpsons,' `Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' `Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist,' `South Park,' `Dawson's Creek,' `The Larry Sanders For the television show and fictional character, see . Larry Sanders (born in New York) is an Oxfordshire County Councillor. He has lived in Oxford since 1969. He was trained professionally as a social worker and lawyer. Show,' `Oz' and `King of the Hill.' '' Those are all distinctive programs that have thrived with quality, not packaging. Infusion of talent In search of entertaining stories, a net has been cast over the motion picture community. And top-notch talent from all segments of the film industry are being lured in. Sonnenfeld is behind ``Fantasy Island'' for ABC; writer Roger Avery (``Pulp Fiction'') is working on a pilot for NBC called ``Odd Jobs''; producer Mark Johnson Mark Johnson may refer to: Academics and scientists
Whedon, who has a movie and television deal with 20th Century Fox, is also putting together a half-hour comedy show. ``Generally, they have a fresher take on television than some of the people who do it over and over again,'' said Garth Ancier Garth Ancier is the President of BBC Worldwide America Early Life Ancier began his broadcasting career as a high school in 1972, working as a reporter for NBC radio affiliates WBUD-AM and WBJH-FM in Trenton, New Jersey. , entertainment president of the WB. ``Generally, they have one pet idea that they are just dying to see on television.'' Whether viewers can make a distinction between the products of Zalmon King (``9-1/2 Weeks'') and David E. Kelley (``Ally McBeal'') is debatable. Unlike movie promotions, television goes a long way toward selling a show to audiences based on the behind-the-scenes talent. ``They think you will be flipping through the dials and see, `Tonight, the writer of the second-place film at Cannes is writing for `Matlock,' and you will say, `I better watch that one,' '' Syracuse University's Thompson said of network promotions. ``But, it's a good trend. It shows that television is no longer the poor cousin in the relationship,'' Thompson said. ``These people are coming in with a whole different way of telling stories, and if there's anything television desperately needs now, it's a different way to tell stories.'' Successful dramas such as ``Homicide,'' ``NYPD Blue,'' ``The Practice,'' ``The X-Files'' and ``Law & Order'' offer some of the most compelling stories available anyplace. Movie directors usually have a bigger say in how the story is told than do scriptwriters. In television, the writers get ample opportunity to direct. ``Television is structured in a way so that it motivates the writer, and the story has to be told first,'' said Whedon, who will write and direct five episodes of ``Buffy'' this season. ``It can't be, `Oh, we've got this actor.' That won't work. In a movie, you can make the money back in a weekend.'' But in television, the show has to continuously prove itself to establish a faithful audience. Fearless bunch To ensure that the storytelling sensibility will be the one they ordered, Ancier insists that movie types who want to cross over must commit to sticking with the series for at least the first season. There is a definite learning curve, and it's not unusual for a network or studio to pair up a television newcomer with an established producer. Director Craven is working on a project for Fox called ``Hollyweird'' and will be teamed with Shaun Cassidy Shaun Paul Cassidy (born September 27, 1958 in Los Angeles, California) is an American singer, actor and TV producer. The eldest of Broadway entertainer Jack Cassidy's and actress Shirley Jones's three sons, Cassidy was inspired by the success of his half-brother David (``American Gothic American Gothic Grant Wood’s painting of stern Iowan farming couple. [Am. Art: Osborne, 1215] See : Rusticity ,'' ``Roar''). The show sounds like ``The X-Files'' minus the FBI, a drama about two friends who investigate weird, unsolved murder cases in Hollywood. To keep the movie analogy going, Fox Entertainment Group president Peter Roth says the series has a feel similar to Craven's ``Scream,'' which was a sizable hit. And Craven is likely to bring his unique style to television. After all, he created Freddie Kruger. Movie people aren't ``restrained by the rules of the game,'' Roth said. ``There is a fearlessness (about them). It's no holds barred, which is refreshing at a time when audiences are demanding from us something distinctive.'' Movie people make a play for success in TV world The pilot development season is in full swing, and it looks like television is going to the movies. Here is a list of some big-screen names that are trying to revolutionize the small screen. ABC Barry Sonnenfeld and Barry Josephson (``Men in Black'') - ``Fantasy Island,'' an update of the '70s hit. Forest Whitaker (``Waiting to Exhale'') - ``Black JAQ JAQ Job Analysis Questionnaire ,'' about an undercover female detective in New Orleans. CBS Mark Johnson (``Donnie Brasco'') - ``L.A. Docs,'' about two cool doctors who open their own practice and care more for patients than the bottom line. Sydney Pollack (``Tootsie'') - ``Grand Concourse,'' a fast-paced drama about the lawyers at Bronx County's Legal Aid Society. Barry Levinson (``Wag the Dog, ``Rain Man'') - ``The Family Brood,'' about a family of firefighters. NBC Matthew McNair Carnahan (``Black Circle Boys'') - ``Trinity,'' about an Irish family in Hell's Kitchen. Roger Avery (``Pulp Fiction'') - ``Odd Jobs,'' about two guys who do busy work for the mob. David Seltzer (``The Omen'') - ``Cold Feet,'' about romantic relationships. Fox Wes Craven (``Scream'') - ``Hollyweird,'' which follows two Midwestern buddies exploring the weird happenings of Hollywood. John Favreau (``Swingers'') - ``Bad Cop, Bad Cop,'' which is about two combative L.A. detectives with decidedly bad attitudes. Joss Whedon (``Buffy the Vampire Slayer'') - ``Cheap Shots,'' a comedic behind-the-scenes look at the B-movie industry. Eddie Murphy (``The Nutty Professor'') - ``PJs,'' a foam-mation project in which he lends the voice to the lead character and building superintendent. Cy Voris and Ethan Reiff (``Freddy vs. Jason'') - ``Brimstone brimstone: see sulfur. ,'' about the journey toward salvation for a man who, in eternity, is judged by the devil himself. UPN UPN User Principal Name (Microsoft Windows 2000) UPN United Paramount Network UPN Unión del Pueblo Navarro (Navarrese People Union) UPN Umgekehrte Polnische Notation Martha Coolidge (``Ramblin' Rose'') - ``Boston Grace,'' an updated ``Cagney & Lacey'' about two women who are elite investigators. Trey Callaway (``I Know What You Did Last Summer'') - ``Mercy Point,'' described as ``ER'' in space. Dan Schneider (``Good Burger'') - ``Just Us Men,'' about two 20-somethings who share an apartment with a 6-year-old babe magnet. WB J.J. Abrams (``Regarding Henry'') and Matt Reeves (``Pall Bearer'') - ``Felicity,'' ``Ally McBeal'' goes to NYU NYU New York University NYU New York Undercover (TV show) . John Ridley (``U-Turn'') - ``Bloomington, Ind.'' an updated ``White Shadow'' set at a big-time college. - Keith Marder CAPTION(S): Drawing, 5 Photos, Box Drawing: (Cover--Color) Big screen ideas The networks are recruiting talent from the film industry to fight the cable challenge. Bradford Mar/Daily News Photo: (1) ``Television has been a much happier experience for me than any movie,'' says writer Joss Whedon of ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer.'' (2) ``Television has been a much happier experience for me than any movie,'' says writer Joss Whedon of ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer.'' (3) Sydney Pollack's entry into the TV pilot fray is the legal drama ``Grand Concourse'' for CBS. (4) ``Men in Black'' director Barry Sonnenfeld is trying to score on CBS with the firefighter saga ``The Family Brood.'' (5) Horrormeister Wes Craven follows a pair of Midwestern buddies exploring the Southland in ``Hollyweird'' for NBC. Box: Movie people make a play for success in TV world (See Text) |
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