Locations: Lee's Car, Kate/Lee's Flat, Pub, acupuncture office,
Storylines:
- Lee is teaching Kate to drive. She is struggling and when reverse parking crashes the car into a parked car.
- Lee is still angry and kate tells him he needs to be more calm as he is very stressed. It is also revealed that kate hit a guide dog. Kate suggests yoga to help lee relax or acupuncture.
- At the pub lee finds an article in nuts that tries to help relieve stress. Tim ask a series of questions from the article to determine if Lee is stressed.
- There are more jokes about tim's younger ex girlfriend.
- At the flat kate does yoga with lee. He takes a few short cuts. When meditating he gets a little anxious when kate tells him to imagine a candle as he thinks about wax dropping onto the floor. he goes on a rant kate books him and acupuncture appointment.
- Kate learns to drive with tim, he think he can use it to win her back. she reverses the car into a wall as tim continues to bring up the relationship.
- lee is adamant that acupuncture is a sham and argues with the therapist.
- Tim encourages kate to park the car in a small space, the opposite of what lee did earlier in the episode. She is pleased with his encouragement and parks perfectly.
- at the pub, tim says he is pleased with how kate's lessons with him are going. Tim asks why lee is bothered that he is getting on so well with kate but lee says it is more that everyone keeps calling him stressed. Lee tells tim that his doctors has given him tranquillisers but tim tells them they are dangerous. When tim asks if he has tried everything lee mentions kate said she could try massage on him, tim encourages him to take the drugs after all. Lee does but with a small about of beer.
- at the flat, lee is very spaced out and kate is very concerned. Lee asks kate to go to tai chi with him on friday, she agrees and he says its a date. But then he takes it back awkwardly.
- Lee and tim both take kate on a driving lesson. Tim tells her to watch her speed but lee says she is doing fine - he is still a little spaced out from the drugs. She says she isn't going that fast because the dial is nowhere near the f - tim says this is the petrol. Tim also asks if they should put on the central locking after lee has a lie down. tim tries to ask kate out for friday but she has already made plans with lee. Tim rants and says that she will be end up sleeping with lee but lee mishears this as tim will sleep with lee. Kate discovers lee took tablets to be relaxed as she thought he was relaxed from yoga. This stresses her out and causing her to drive faster. Tim again rants about kate blames him to everything and the two argue. Lee tries to get kate to slow down. They crash.
- Lee has a neck brace on. Kate reveals she passed her test.
This episode again seems to repeat the same stories so if I'm honest is a little boring. The joke are good but as there is no new characters to mix up the dynamic it seems a little stale and it is only 4 episodes in. I think this is a good lesson because as much as the audience will want lee and kate to get together and for it to be organic the build up can be a little dull if each of the development episodes are the same. There needs to be obstacles to their relationship and so far the only one is tim and it is just a constant cycle.
Stay safe,
Helen
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
Major Project: Not going out Epsiode 3 Research
Locations: Kate/ lee's Flat, Pub, shopping centre, Kates Bedroom, Cafe,
Storylines:
- Lee has a new job handing out leaflets dressed as a parrot down the shopping centre. Kate is pleased he has a job and says she is proud. She is being so nice to him that lee knows she wants a favour. Kate says a friend of hers is coming to stay and lee says thats fine and she can stay as long as she wants however as it is kate's apartment this wasn't the favour. Kate says her friend has always been more successful than her - better job, bigger house etc. The only thing kate had that her friend didn't is a boyfriend but now she isn't with tim. She says her friend hasn't actually met tim and that she has exaggerated things and said how well things are still going for them so asks lee to pretend to be tim. He initially refuses but agrees with little persuasion She says he will sleep on the floor in her room.
- Lee tells tim about the favour. Tim believes this to mean kate still has feelings for him. She also says kate would never go out with a guy like lee. Tim tries to pretend to be lee but lee laughs at him.
- There are more recurring jokes about tim and his young ex girlfriend.
- kate gets lee up early to go with her to the airport to pick her friend up. She also says it is not weird that she could actually end up with someone like lee. The plan to fool rates friend goes well initially and lee is vague about what he does. She asks about rates old flatmate lee and they say he moved out which the friend is sad about as she wishes she could have gone on a date with a british man while she was here.
- at the shopping centre lee is dressed as a gorilla handing out leaflets. A kid kicks him.
- Tim asks lee if he has kissed kate while they have been pretending and lee says no. He also worries about the fact lee has to share a room with kate.
- Lee makes kate worried that her friend might walk in when he is sleeping on the floor so she tells him to sleep in her bed. It is awkward. Her friend walks in and gives them both presents. Lee's is massage oil to use for the couples anniversary. She tells lee to show kate how happy he is that they are still together so he tries to shake her hand. Kate is cross when the friend leaves the room and asks him to be more romantic. They fight and lee sleeps on the floor.
- at a cafe kates friend says she envy kate which makes her happy. Then the waitress recognises kate and asks her how she is doing since her split with tim after he cheated on her. She says that she has forgiven tim and they have moved on from it. While she is talking about how well tim is doing, lee walks past dressed as a rabbit and is kicked again by the child. noone notices.
- at the flat the friend give lee the cold shoulder, which confuses lee until kate tells him the updated situation. her friend says she can tell that the two are in love and she is sad she hasn't met anyone. Tim suddenly walks into the flat pretending to be lee. The friend likes him and he stays for dinner, Tim comes across very camp when he is pretending to be lee. The friend says the first time she saw lee and kate together they made a lovely couple with annoys tim but because of her emails she thought kate fancied lee because she always talks about him. This further annoys tim causing him to reveal everything. The friend is cross kate has lied.
- The next day kates friend has calmed down and leaves. lee reveals he has been sacked after he threw a kid into the canal. Kate asks lee if they made a nice couple. he gives a quiet yeah and she says sarcastically that she is sad it is over and will miss the romantic chats. Lee asks kate whats she thought of being his girlfriend and she says it was alright with a smile.
So far still only the 3 main characters and now focussing on the relationship between kate and lee or the potential for one. This episode again had an a storyline - kates friend and the lie, and the b storyline - lee's new job and again they link together when lee walks past the cafe, in costume, while kate is talking to her friend. I am finding it useful to see how they slowly develop this relationship so that it feels more natural than forced and rushed.
Stay safe,
Helen
Storylines:
- Lee has a new job handing out leaflets dressed as a parrot down the shopping centre. Kate is pleased he has a job and says she is proud. She is being so nice to him that lee knows she wants a favour. Kate says a friend of hers is coming to stay and lee says thats fine and she can stay as long as she wants however as it is kate's apartment this wasn't the favour. Kate says her friend has always been more successful than her - better job, bigger house etc. The only thing kate had that her friend didn't is a boyfriend but now she isn't with tim. She says her friend hasn't actually met tim and that she has exaggerated things and said how well things are still going for them so asks lee to pretend to be tim. He initially refuses but agrees with little persuasion She says he will sleep on the floor in her room.
- Lee tells tim about the favour. Tim believes this to mean kate still has feelings for him. She also says kate would never go out with a guy like lee. Tim tries to pretend to be lee but lee laughs at him.
- There are more recurring jokes about tim and his young ex girlfriend.
- kate gets lee up early to go with her to the airport to pick her friend up. She also says it is not weird that she could actually end up with someone like lee. The plan to fool rates friend goes well initially and lee is vague about what he does. She asks about rates old flatmate lee and they say he moved out which the friend is sad about as she wishes she could have gone on a date with a british man while she was here.
- at the shopping centre lee is dressed as a gorilla handing out leaflets. A kid kicks him.
- Tim asks lee if he has kissed kate while they have been pretending and lee says no. He also worries about the fact lee has to share a room with kate.
- Lee makes kate worried that her friend might walk in when he is sleeping on the floor so she tells him to sleep in her bed. It is awkward. Her friend walks in and gives them both presents. Lee's is massage oil to use for the couples anniversary. She tells lee to show kate how happy he is that they are still together so he tries to shake her hand. Kate is cross when the friend leaves the room and asks him to be more romantic. They fight and lee sleeps on the floor.
- at a cafe kates friend says she envy kate which makes her happy. Then the waitress recognises kate and asks her how she is doing since her split with tim after he cheated on her. She says that she has forgiven tim and they have moved on from it. While she is talking about how well tim is doing, lee walks past dressed as a rabbit and is kicked again by the child. noone notices.
- at the flat the friend give lee the cold shoulder, which confuses lee until kate tells him the updated situation. her friend says she can tell that the two are in love and she is sad she hasn't met anyone. Tim suddenly walks into the flat pretending to be lee. The friend likes him and he stays for dinner, Tim comes across very camp when he is pretending to be lee. The friend says the first time she saw lee and kate together they made a lovely couple with annoys tim but because of her emails she thought kate fancied lee because she always talks about him. This further annoys tim causing him to reveal everything. The friend is cross kate has lied.
- The next day kates friend has calmed down and leaves. lee reveals he has been sacked after he threw a kid into the canal. Kate asks lee if they made a nice couple. he gives a quiet yeah and she says sarcastically that she is sad it is over and will miss the romantic chats. Lee asks kate whats she thought of being his girlfriend and she says it was alright with a smile.
So far still only the 3 main characters and now focussing on the relationship between kate and lee or the potential for one. This episode again had an a storyline - kates friend and the lie, and the b storyline - lee's new job and again they link together when lee walks past the cafe, in costume, while kate is talking to her friend. I am finding it useful to see how they slowly develop this relationship so that it feels more natural than forced and rushed.
Stay safe,
Helen
Monday, 18 May 2015
Major project: Not Going Out Episode 2 Research
Locations: Lee/ Kate's Flat, pub, Therapists office, Park, church, Funeral wake in a posh room,
Storyline:
- Kate leaves Lee a note asking him to get a few bits and bobs for her while she is at work and also that she has made him some vegan muffins - this is a recurring joke from episode one about her making unusual vegan food that everyone hates.
- Tim pops round to see kate but she is out and speaks to lee instead. He tells him his nan has died. Lee offers him a drink of whisky but all he has is a fruity girly cocktail which tim actually likes.
- Kate comes home later and lee tells her about tim's nan. She says she should visit but lee tries to put her off by saying tim is fine. Kate says that is because lee doesn't express emotions so neither will tim around him. She suggests lee see a therapist he laughs it off until she tells him tim did. He wants to impress her so he agrees.
- Kate meets with tim at the pub and she apologises about his nan. Tim drinks the same cocktail at the bar that tim gave him. The two discuss their history involving time nan.
- Lee is at the therapists, She asks him if he tells a lot of jokes when he is around women as he has already told her some. She continues asking him questions about women trying to get him to open up. She asks him about kate and he says they get along and don't really argue. The therapist then asks lee about his mum which again laughs off and says is typical of a therapist.
- Tim and kate are walking in the park, He says he will be eating alone tonight so she invites him for dinner with her and lee. Tim is slightly annoyed by her referring to her and lee as an us.
- Kate, lee and tim are cooking together. Lee is the least helpful and mainly makes jokes and drinks. Tim reads his eulogy. Lee tries to show he is sensitive and says he wrote a poem for his nan but kate knows he is lying. Tim says he is going to the funeral alone so kate offers to go - he says he is ok but gives her the details and says he will pick her up.
- Lee is worried that kate and tim will get back together at the funeral and tells kate this.
- Tim says he is going to ask kate about the song for the funeral. He asks lee if it bothers him that kate and tim are getting on well again and lee says no he's just sad he wasn't invited to the funeral. When he is asked he turns it down. Again tim is drinking the cocktail at the pub.
- Lee's therapist asks him if he is in love with someone. Lee says no but the therapist asks him further about kate. He insists kate likes him but only as a friend. The therapist insists he has a proper chat with kate and discuss his feelings, she says it will go well along as he picks a good moment.
- At the funeral, a phone goes off playing celebration. it is revealed to be lee sitting at the back of the church.
- Kate asks lee why he came as it is obvious a late decision - he isn't wearing black or a suit. He goes to tell kate his feelings and she looks hopeful but tim approaches drink another cocktail. He asks lee to get him a drink leaving kate and tim alone. He tries to get back with kate by asking her going back to his. She refuses.
- Lee comes back and kate leaves. Tim tells lee that kate turned him down and lee is worried. Tim asks him to check if kate is ok. Tim gives a drunken speech to lee about how he is a great friend. Lee decides not to go and check on kate but instead to stay with tim and take care of him.
- At the flat, lee imitates the therapist sessions with a toy monkey as the client. Kate walks in, She asks if he got tim home ok. She asks what lee was going to say at the funeral and he says it can wait. He says he has quit therapy but is going to be more open.
This episode doesn't introduce any more characters into the series but continues the main storyline of the love triangle of tim/kate/lee. It adds a bit more light and shade into the series by having a funeral which is usually not something jokes can be made off but there are still laughs and more heartfelt moments between the characters. That is something i like about this show as it makes you become more attached to the characters.
Stay safe,
Helen
Storyline:
- Kate leaves Lee a note asking him to get a few bits and bobs for her while she is at work and also that she has made him some vegan muffins - this is a recurring joke from episode one about her making unusual vegan food that everyone hates.
- Tim pops round to see kate but she is out and speaks to lee instead. He tells him his nan has died. Lee offers him a drink of whisky but all he has is a fruity girly cocktail which tim actually likes.
- Kate comes home later and lee tells her about tim's nan. She says she should visit but lee tries to put her off by saying tim is fine. Kate says that is because lee doesn't express emotions so neither will tim around him. She suggests lee see a therapist he laughs it off until she tells him tim did. He wants to impress her so he agrees.
- Kate meets with tim at the pub and she apologises about his nan. Tim drinks the same cocktail at the bar that tim gave him. The two discuss their history involving time nan.
- Lee is at the therapists, She asks him if he tells a lot of jokes when he is around women as he has already told her some. She continues asking him questions about women trying to get him to open up. She asks him about kate and he says they get along and don't really argue. The therapist then asks lee about his mum which again laughs off and says is typical of a therapist.
- Tim and kate are walking in the park, He says he will be eating alone tonight so she invites him for dinner with her and lee. Tim is slightly annoyed by her referring to her and lee as an us.
- Kate, lee and tim are cooking together. Lee is the least helpful and mainly makes jokes and drinks. Tim reads his eulogy. Lee tries to show he is sensitive and says he wrote a poem for his nan but kate knows he is lying. Tim says he is going to the funeral alone so kate offers to go - he says he is ok but gives her the details and says he will pick her up.
- Lee is worried that kate and tim will get back together at the funeral and tells kate this.
- Tim says he is going to ask kate about the song for the funeral. He asks lee if it bothers him that kate and tim are getting on well again and lee says no he's just sad he wasn't invited to the funeral. When he is asked he turns it down. Again tim is drinking the cocktail at the pub.
- Lee's therapist asks him if he is in love with someone. Lee says no but the therapist asks him further about kate. He insists kate likes him but only as a friend. The therapist insists he has a proper chat with kate and discuss his feelings, she says it will go well along as he picks a good moment.
- At the funeral, a phone goes off playing celebration. it is revealed to be lee sitting at the back of the church.
- Kate asks lee why he came as it is obvious a late decision - he isn't wearing black or a suit. He goes to tell kate his feelings and she looks hopeful but tim approaches drink another cocktail. He asks lee to get him a drink leaving kate and tim alone. He tries to get back with kate by asking her going back to his. She refuses.
- Lee comes back and kate leaves. Tim tells lee that kate turned him down and lee is worried. Tim asks him to check if kate is ok. Tim gives a drunken speech to lee about how he is a great friend. Lee decides not to go and check on kate but instead to stay with tim and take care of him.
- At the flat, lee imitates the therapist sessions with a toy monkey as the client. Kate walks in, She asks if he got tim home ok. She asks what lee was going to say at the funeral and he says it can wait. He says he has quit therapy but is going to be more open.
This episode doesn't introduce any more characters into the series but continues the main storyline of the love triangle of tim/kate/lee. It adds a bit more light and shade into the series by having a funeral which is usually not something jokes can be made off but there are still laughs and more heartfelt moments between the characters. That is something i like about this show as it makes you become more attached to the characters.
Stay safe,
Helen
Major Project: Not Going Out Episode 1 Research
Locations: Lee/ Kate's Flat, Pub, Clown workshop, Restaurant, art gallery,
Characters:
Lee - a juvenile and lazy slacker, who goes from one job to another, living off the good graces of his Californian landlady Kate, with whom he shares a flat in London. It is not long before they find that their friendship is changing into something more.
Tim - Lee's best friend, an accountant from Henley, and Kate's ex-boyfriend (they broke up when he cheated on her with 23-year-old Emma) and he wants to repair their relationship.
Kate - Lee's American Landlady/housemate and the Ex girlfriend of Tim.
Storylines:
- Lee is lazy and doesn't really do anything. He currently has got himself a job making christmas crackers from home but kate is trying to get him to do something more. Kate is asked to arrange a date for a client at work and she suggests Lee he initially refuses until he is told it will all be paid for.
- Kate has some leaflets for Lee about work including one about becoming a clown. Lee doesn't think he is suited and neither is kate but she decides to go on it to prove she is fun - something Tim left her for not being.
- There is a lot of romantic tension between kate and lee but is put to one side.
- We discover that lee and tim are best friends. Tim asks about kate at the pub and it is clear he wants her back. Lee wants to stay out of it as he is friends with both of them. Tim wants to apologise for cheating on kate and decides to do it this week.
- Kate goes to the clown workshop in full attire, something that the others at the workshop are not. When she is home she tells lee that when she is wearing her clown nose he should call her by her clown name - foo foo.
- On the date, Lee's date goes badly as the woman reveals all the details from her past which she wrote about in her autobiography. He is awkward but tries to make the best of it although he is very bored.
- While lee is on his date, tim visits kate at home. She is taking her clown make up off. Tim stays for dinner and tries to apologise but it goes badly when she sticks up for lee.
- Lee arrives home and complains to kate about the terrible date. When kate says its because he couldnt handle a serious relationship lee says he is going to ask her out again which seems to upset kate.
- Lee takes his date to a war gallery where she is as serious and depressing as ever. Lee lies and tells the woman he was adopted which seems to help her bond with him.
- At the pub lee discusses his dates with tim. Tim also subtly warns lee off kate. Lee says he isn't comfortable with sharing private information with his date but tim says they should go on another date and invite tim and kate along - a double date. He agrees but isn't happy. kate isn't happy about the double date but eventually caves and says she will be there after clown club.
- Kate throws a bucket of water over her instructor rather than a bucket of confetti because 'her clown is a maverick'. It doesn't go down well.
- Lee branches out in his cracker making and begins writing his own jokes for events including funerals, birthdays etc
- At the pub tim worries kate hates him. She buys them all chris and calls him a bastard which sort of confirms this but she has turned up on the date. Lee tries to help them become friends by using words his date used to describe his behaviour. It works and tim apologises to kate but they argue again about Tim's young fling. Kate is cross that lee is trying to get them back together but he insists he isn't which pleases kate but annoys tim causing lee to have an outburst and end up insulting his date.
- Kate is kicked out of clown club for throwing a pie at her instructor. It is revealed lee's date thought lee was too serious and is glad they aren't dating anymore. Lee is sacked from his cracker making job when one of his funeral jokes is found in a christmas cracker.
The reason i felt i should watch this show is because it is currently airing and is very popular in the UK. The other sitcoms i am watching are no longer on the air but this is so gives me a good idea of the kind of things that are successful currently. Also this show was cancelled but due to success of dvd sales and a petitions was brought back and has since had 4 more series made. I also find the relationship between the character of lee and kate is very interesting and wanted to look at how that progressed throughout the first season.
The interesting thing about this pilot is that it doesn't have a lot of the characters in it that will be in the series. Similarly due to casting changes and actor availability the main cast changes each season yet is still successful so i think the writing is key here and therefore a good reason to look at how they write the series.
So far the differences between this and the other shows are that this is very pun heavy and uses jokes that require the audience to have a certain understanding of pop culture. It also has a good heart to it with the relationship of the characters but i think there were a lot more joke elements in this pilot which seems to be a recurrent theme. I think they cant put to much heart into he opening episode as it takes time for people to invest in characters. So far Lee has plenty of unlikable traits - he is lazy and doesn't have a job but he is funny and aloof and his clear feelings for kate intrigue the audience just enough for them to want to come back. Similarly it is interesting to see how it could work if he gets together with her when she is tim ex. maybe tim will win her back... plenty of possibilities from a opening episode.
The one thing i did notice from this is that there is are 2 stories. the a plot - Lee's date and a b plot - lucy becoming a clown. Lee is able to link into lucy's plot and also bring her into his date plot through the double date which also brings in tim. This is something that was done cleverly in coupling but not something the imbetweeners did.
Stay safe,
Helen
Characters:
Lee - a juvenile and lazy slacker, who goes from one job to another, living off the good graces of his Californian landlady Kate, with whom he shares a flat in London. It is not long before they find that their friendship is changing into something more.
Tim - Lee's best friend, an accountant from Henley, and Kate's ex-boyfriend (they broke up when he cheated on her with 23-year-old Emma) and he wants to repair their relationship.
Kate - Lee's American Landlady/housemate and the Ex girlfriend of Tim.
Storylines:
- Lee is lazy and doesn't really do anything. He currently has got himself a job making christmas crackers from home but kate is trying to get him to do something more. Kate is asked to arrange a date for a client at work and she suggests Lee he initially refuses until he is told it will all be paid for.
- Kate has some leaflets for Lee about work including one about becoming a clown. Lee doesn't think he is suited and neither is kate but she decides to go on it to prove she is fun - something Tim left her for not being.
- There is a lot of romantic tension between kate and lee but is put to one side.
- We discover that lee and tim are best friends. Tim asks about kate at the pub and it is clear he wants her back. Lee wants to stay out of it as he is friends with both of them. Tim wants to apologise for cheating on kate and decides to do it this week.
- Kate goes to the clown workshop in full attire, something that the others at the workshop are not. When she is home she tells lee that when she is wearing her clown nose he should call her by her clown name - foo foo.
- On the date, Lee's date goes badly as the woman reveals all the details from her past which she wrote about in her autobiography. He is awkward but tries to make the best of it although he is very bored.
- While lee is on his date, tim visits kate at home. She is taking her clown make up off. Tim stays for dinner and tries to apologise but it goes badly when she sticks up for lee.
- Lee arrives home and complains to kate about the terrible date. When kate says its because he couldnt handle a serious relationship lee says he is going to ask her out again which seems to upset kate.
- Lee takes his date to a war gallery where she is as serious and depressing as ever. Lee lies and tells the woman he was adopted which seems to help her bond with him.
- At the pub lee discusses his dates with tim. Tim also subtly warns lee off kate. Lee says he isn't comfortable with sharing private information with his date but tim says they should go on another date and invite tim and kate along - a double date. He agrees but isn't happy. kate isn't happy about the double date but eventually caves and says she will be there after clown club.
- Kate throws a bucket of water over her instructor rather than a bucket of confetti because 'her clown is a maverick'. It doesn't go down well.
- Lee branches out in his cracker making and begins writing his own jokes for events including funerals, birthdays etc
- At the pub tim worries kate hates him. She buys them all chris and calls him a bastard which sort of confirms this but she has turned up on the date. Lee tries to help them become friends by using words his date used to describe his behaviour. It works and tim apologises to kate but they argue again about Tim's young fling. Kate is cross that lee is trying to get them back together but he insists he isn't which pleases kate but annoys tim causing lee to have an outburst and end up insulting his date.
- Kate is kicked out of clown club for throwing a pie at her instructor. It is revealed lee's date thought lee was too serious and is glad they aren't dating anymore. Lee is sacked from his cracker making job when one of his funeral jokes is found in a christmas cracker.
The reason i felt i should watch this show is because it is currently airing and is very popular in the UK. The other sitcoms i am watching are no longer on the air but this is so gives me a good idea of the kind of things that are successful currently. Also this show was cancelled but due to success of dvd sales and a petitions was brought back and has since had 4 more series made. I also find the relationship between the character of lee and kate is very interesting and wanted to look at how that progressed throughout the first season.
The interesting thing about this pilot is that it doesn't have a lot of the characters in it that will be in the series. Similarly due to casting changes and actor availability the main cast changes each season yet is still successful so i think the writing is key here and therefore a good reason to look at how they write the series.
So far the differences between this and the other shows are that this is very pun heavy and uses jokes that require the audience to have a certain understanding of pop culture. It also has a good heart to it with the relationship of the characters but i think there were a lot more joke elements in this pilot which seems to be a recurrent theme. I think they cant put to much heart into he opening episode as it takes time for people to invest in characters. So far Lee has plenty of unlikable traits - he is lazy and doesn't have a job but he is funny and aloof and his clear feelings for kate intrigue the audience just enough for them to want to come back. Similarly it is interesting to see how it could work if he gets together with her when she is tim ex. maybe tim will win her back... plenty of possibilities from a opening episode.
The one thing i did notice from this is that there is are 2 stories. the a plot - Lee's date and a b plot - lucy becoming a clown. Lee is able to link into lucy's plot and also bring her into his date plot through the double date which also brings in tim. This is something that was done cleverly in coupling but not something the imbetweeners did.
Stay safe,
Helen
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Major Project: Inbetweeners Episode 6 Research
Locations: Suit shop, School grounds, classroom, 6th form centre, school hall, school gym.
storylines:
- It is revealed the series so far has been set over 1 term and the boys are now preparing for the christmas dance, Will is the chairman of the dance committee and goes with the boys and simons dad to hire suits for the dance. The suits he gives are very old fashioned and jazzy.
- Jay reveals will said he can dj at the dance but will says it is a maybe. Simon tells will he has to let jay dj as he is part of the plan to seduce carli. Will worries carli's rugby player boyfriend will be at the dance.
- Neil reveals he believes he is ready for a relationship. The boys all ogle the youngest teacher at school miss timms. Neil is infatuated by her even though will points out she isnt that fit but actually the only female staff member under 30.
- Will tells the boys he has jobs for them at the dance including giving out the vouchers for alcohol. Jay thinks this means he can get fit girls drunk and take advantage.
- will and jay argue over the fact jay saying charlotte only went out with will for a bet and will retaliates saying rude comments about jay's sister. They continue to argue about this throughout the episode.
- At a dance meeting, will runs through the agenda. When the point of music comes about will says he's booked a band but jay says he is djing, but will says only after half 10 as the band is booked.
- Simon asks carli to the dance but says they have to arrive at 4 to set up. She says she could do with a lift as tom, her boyfriend, has broken his car. however, as she has to get ready she says she will meet him there instead. The boys reveal that since meeting will simon thinks and expresses himself more. Will thinks this is a good thing but jay says look at him as simon is clearly distressed and embarrassed about his chat with carli.
- mr gilbert reveals he and miss timms will be at the dance to keep an eye on the pupils much to neils delight. He also runs through the rules. He says only 2 alcohol tokens per person and no heavy petting. Will thanks mr gilbert by his first name provoking a very negative reaction.
- Donovan approaches will and says he will be watching him tommorow and that if he goes near charlotte he will rip wills throat out.
- Will is very nervous about the dance and suprised simon is not nervous about his plan to woo carli. Simon reveals that he knows what he has to do and that jay wont let him down.
- Neil is wearing a very tight suit which has glitter and a low cut neckline. he is very pleased with himself. The boys make fun of him.
- At the party is seems to be a success. People are enjoying themselves and having fun. The boys notice will is stressed and neil is very happy that miss timms looks good but is drinking heavily while simon refuses to drink incase he throws up again.
- a tipsy neil tries to dance with miss timms showing off his robot moves.
- Will complains when jay plays a song not on his approved playlist and as walks off complaining the dance is a disaster. He runs into charlotte and worries about where donavan is and she tells him the party is good and asks him to dance but he declines. He asks her if he was a bet and she kisses him and asks him for a burger.
- Jay bonds with the nerdy boy who joined the school at the same time as will when he compliments him on his djing causing him to reveal that he only exaggerates because he wants to be noticed. the geeky boy offers jay to share his beer tokens which jay is pleased about. A girl approaches jay as the boy goes to get jay a drink. She is one of carli's friends from earlier in the episode. She tells jay she used to dj in ibiza and that she think he is good and she could probably get him a slot out there - seemingly she is also an exaggerator like jay. He tries to play it sensitive and talk about how much he likes the music but she unintentionally quotes him asking if he is bent. He is shocked but pleased and invites her to join him at the decks. The nerdy boy comes back with 2 drinks, one for him and one for jay but jay takes both and gives one to the girl.
- Simon finds carli and asks her where her boyfriend is. she reveals he is out with his rugby mates and that she isnt bothered about him anymore. He gives jay the signal, who cuts the music so that simon can talk to carli but he panicks when he sees everyone looking at him. He tries to tell her just as he sees neil trying to kiss miss timms. He gets a boner and everyone begins calling him the name that simon got ealier in the series. Mr gilbert escorts neil out. When simon turns back around he sees carli arguing with her boyfriend.
- donovan aproaches will and pins him against the wall he shouts at him for speaking to charlotte but everyone sticks up for will and shouts at donavan to leave him alone as he as done a good job at the dance and call donavan names. Charlotte has seen the whole thing and walks off leaiving him upset. He tuns after her. will tries to make a speech and thank everyone for sticking up for him but they go back to the dance.
- mr gilbert surveys the damage of the party aftermath and seems fairly satisfied although does shout at a few stragglers.
- will and simon discuss the dance in the school gym. They celebrate that will did a good job and didnt get beaten up and simon said he had a good time even though he didnt say what he wanted to to carli he wasnt bothered about it. Neil comes in and is embarrassed about trying to kiss the teacher. It is also revealed that mr gilbert is dating miss timms.
- Jay enters and says he got a blowjob behind the decks but the boys dont believe him he then reveals it to be a hand job and they laugh and tell him he is lying and he then tells the truth saying it was over his trousers. The boys mess about on the trampoline as the credits begin.
Overall the series has been slightly different to coupling. There is one main story throughout each episode in this series while coupling interlinks a few. They tell a lot more recurring jokes about bothlink back to things that happened in the original episode which i think is a nice touch and a good way of rounding it all off. This series however felt like a nice ending. I usually expect a cliff hanger but the series was fairly well concluded but also leaves a lot for their to be done in the future series as we wonder if any of the boys will have a successful relationship and see how they will grow. I think i prefer the writing style of coupling as i think it is a lot more clever but i think a mix of this sort of humour would suit well with a football show as it is similar to the banter that is often found in the changing room / locker room of a sports team. I have found researching this series very useful as i think it has helped me to think about my male characters more and give them clear identities like this show has. I think the boys in inbetweeners are fairly one dimensional to begin with but as the series progresses, especially with the character of jay, we start to see other sides of them which make them more real rather than caricatures. I also dont want them t be stereotypical characters, i think having a clear identity but also making them realistic is key and perhaps modelling the characters from traits of different people might be a good way to begin the character process.
stay safe,
Helen
storylines:
- It is revealed the series so far has been set over 1 term and the boys are now preparing for the christmas dance, Will is the chairman of the dance committee and goes with the boys and simons dad to hire suits for the dance. The suits he gives are very old fashioned and jazzy.
- Jay reveals will said he can dj at the dance but will says it is a maybe. Simon tells will he has to let jay dj as he is part of the plan to seduce carli. Will worries carli's rugby player boyfriend will be at the dance.
- Neil reveals he believes he is ready for a relationship. The boys all ogle the youngest teacher at school miss timms. Neil is infatuated by her even though will points out she isnt that fit but actually the only female staff member under 30.
- Will tells the boys he has jobs for them at the dance including giving out the vouchers for alcohol. Jay thinks this means he can get fit girls drunk and take advantage.
- will and jay argue over the fact jay saying charlotte only went out with will for a bet and will retaliates saying rude comments about jay's sister. They continue to argue about this throughout the episode.
- At a dance meeting, will runs through the agenda. When the point of music comes about will says he's booked a band but jay says he is djing, but will says only after half 10 as the band is booked.
- Simon asks carli to the dance but says they have to arrive at 4 to set up. She says she could do with a lift as tom, her boyfriend, has broken his car. however, as she has to get ready she says she will meet him there instead. The boys reveal that since meeting will simon thinks and expresses himself more. Will thinks this is a good thing but jay says look at him as simon is clearly distressed and embarrassed about his chat with carli.
- mr gilbert reveals he and miss timms will be at the dance to keep an eye on the pupils much to neils delight. He also runs through the rules. He says only 2 alcohol tokens per person and no heavy petting. Will thanks mr gilbert by his first name provoking a very negative reaction.
- Donovan approaches will and says he will be watching him tommorow and that if he goes near charlotte he will rip wills throat out.
- Will is very nervous about the dance and suprised simon is not nervous about his plan to woo carli. Simon reveals that he knows what he has to do and that jay wont let him down.
- Neil is wearing a very tight suit which has glitter and a low cut neckline. he is very pleased with himself. The boys make fun of him.
- At the party is seems to be a success. People are enjoying themselves and having fun. The boys notice will is stressed and neil is very happy that miss timms looks good but is drinking heavily while simon refuses to drink incase he throws up again.
- a tipsy neil tries to dance with miss timms showing off his robot moves.
- Will complains when jay plays a song not on his approved playlist and as walks off complaining the dance is a disaster. He runs into charlotte and worries about where donavan is and she tells him the party is good and asks him to dance but he declines. He asks her if he was a bet and she kisses him and asks him for a burger.
- Jay bonds with the nerdy boy who joined the school at the same time as will when he compliments him on his djing causing him to reveal that he only exaggerates because he wants to be noticed. the geeky boy offers jay to share his beer tokens which jay is pleased about. A girl approaches jay as the boy goes to get jay a drink. She is one of carli's friends from earlier in the episode. She tells jay she used to dj in ibiza and that she think he is good and she could probably get him a slot out there - seemingly she is also an exaggerator like jay. He tries to play it sensitive and talk about how much he likes the music but she unintentionally quotes him asking if he is bent. He is shocked but pleased and invites her to join him at the decks. The nerdy boy comes back with 2 drinks, one for him and one for jay but jay takes both and gives one to the girl.
- Simon finds carli and asks her where her boyfriend is. she reveals he is out with his rugby mates and that she isnt bothered about him anymore. He gives jay the signal, who cuts the music so that simon can talk to carli but he panicks when he sees everyone looking at him. He tries to tell her just as he sees neil trying to kiss miss timms. He gets a boner and everyone begins calling him the name that simon got ealier in the series. Mr gilbert escorts neil out. When simon turns back around he sees carli arguing with her boyfriend.
- donovan aproaches will and pins him against the wall he shouts at him for speaking to charlotte but everyone sticks up for will and shouts at donavan to leave him alone as he as done a good job at the dance and call donavan names. Charlotte has seen the whole thing and walks off leaiving him upset. He tuns after her. will tries to make a speech and thank everyone for sticking up for him but they go back to the dance.
- mr gilbert surveys the damage of the party aftermath and seems fairly satisfied although does shout at a few stragglers.
- will and simon discuss the dance in the school gym. They celebrate that will did a good job and didnt get beaten up and simon said he had a good time even though he didnt say what he wanted to to carli he wasnt bothered about it. Neil comes in and is embarrassed about trying to kiss the teacher. It is also revealed that mr gilbert is dating miss timms.
- Jay enters and says he got a blowjob behind the decks but the boys dont believe him he then reveals it to be a hand job and they laugh and tell him he is lying and he then tells the truth saying it was over his trousers. The boys mess about on the trampoline as the credits begin.
Overall the series has been slightly different to coupling. There is one main story throughout each episode in this series while coupling interlinks a few. They tell a lot more recurring jokes about bothlink back to things that happened in the original episode which i think is a nice touch and a good way of rounding it all off. This series however felt like a nice ending. I usually expect a cliff hanger but the series was fairly well concluded but also leaves a lot for their to be done in the future series as we wonder if any of the boys will have a successful relationship and see how they will grow. I think i prefer the writing style of coupling as i think it is a lot more clever but i think a mix of this sort of humour would suit well with a football show as it is similar to the banter that is often found in the changing room / locker room of a sports team. I have found researching this series very useful as i think it has helped me to think about my male characters more and give them clear identities like this show has. I think the boys in inbetweeners are fairly one dimensional to begin with but as the series progresses, especially with the character of jay, we start to see other sides of them which make them more real rather than caricatures. I also dont want them t be stereotypical characters, i think having a clear identity but also making them realistic is key and perhaps modelling the characters from traits of different people might be a good way to begin the character process.
stay safe,
Helen
Major Project: The inbetweeners Episode 5 Research
Locations: 6th form centre, Simons car, garage, caravan park, Jays caravan, Disco, motorway roadside,
Storylines:
- Will has been tied to a chair with a bucket on his head by donavan. The boys try and untie him but are told not to by donavan.
- The boys discuss their plans for the weekend and jay says he will be off to caravan club describing it as being like a massive orgy. The boys don't believe him so he invites them along, the boys agree much to jays surprise.
- Gilbert walks in and sees will tied to the chair, he makes will say he tripped so he doesn't have to deal with the situation much to wills annoyance.
- Simon drives the boys aside from jay to the caravan club. he tells neil he believes his car can top 100 to which he then has to prove. He does but slows down quickly afterwards and it is revealed his dad has told him not to go above 50mph.
- Will cant understand a text by jay but neil does easily letting the boys know jay wants to be picked up at a garage so he can take them to the caravan park. He also reads another text from jay asking if anyone needs condoms.
- At the garage simon cant put fuel into his car as he has parked to far away and is struggling. The other boys look at page 3 magazines inside the garage.
- jay has sent a girl from caravan club a picture of simon and gave her simon's number. she texts simon, much to his surprise at the garage and says she cant wait to meet him, simon replies and gets a picture of her in return. he seems fairly pleased with her and thinks he will get laid. Will however still doesn't believe jay.
- The boys meet the girls and it goes well, they ask them to the disco later on. The boys make further jokes about neils dad.
- The boys have tea with jays family but due to its confined space hear jays dad in the toilet, much to jays embarrassment. Jays dad also reveals that jay hasnt got lucky with any of the girls at the park.
- At the disco, the boys are disappointed as they think it is terrible. jay assures them it will get better. Neil starts to dance when a song he likes comes on, revealing his talent for robotic dancing.
- Simon is worried about having sex with the caravan girl as he thought he would lose his virginity to carli. jay assures him its a good idea and tells him to go ahead with the plan.
- as will talks to the adults, a emo styled girl approaches him and asks him to take her somewhere quiet to which he agrees. They kiss in the corner of the dancefloor and then she tries to take him outside to sleep with him. He is a bit frightened by her forcefulness and tries to get to know her and randomly suggests skidding on the floor like he did as a child. She walks off embarrassed. Will also gets his shoes stolen by children.
- Jay walks into the toilets to see his dad who mentions he saw jay chatting to a fat girl and when jay tells him he was just keeping her busy so simon can talk to her friend his dad tells him not to be embarrassed as jay isn't good with girls and should take what he can get. Will walks in and jays dad picks on jay a bit about pulling a fat girl, jay is upset and says he gets with lots of girls to which his dad makes fun of him further causing jay to walk off.
- Simon slow dances with the caravan girl. They kiss until they realise they are the only people on the dance floor and simon suggests they go outside. He walks past jay who he thanks as jay hands him a condom. When they get outside simon accidentally rips the girls top open and while she sorts herself out he puts the condom on and pulls down his trousers. She is shocked and furious and reveals that she isnt going to have sex with him and doesnt understand why he would think this. They renter the disco and a furious simon yells at jay for lying about saying she is an easy lay and that he had slept with her. The boys leave quickly before they are yelled at.
- Jays dad tells will to show the kids who stole his shoes who's boss so he half strangles a kid to get his shoes back.
- The emo girl approaches a dancing neil to find out if he is actually enjoying the disco but neil doesnt understand her and continues dancing.
- Neil meets up with the boys in the morning revealing he slept in the car. as they drive home the boys notice their seats are wet and they ask him if he wet himself in the night, He reveals he brought a girl back and although they didnt have sex he did do some stuff much to their disgust that that is what they are sitting in. He also reveals the girl to be the emo girl.
This episode feels like a slow conclusion to the series. one of the boys finally got lucky with a girl and they exposed some of jays lies even though he tries to continue them on. I think its important that the characters start to complete some of their goals in the series as again if they always fail it isnt worth watching. You want them to have a few wins so its unpredictable.
stay safe,
Helen
Storylines:
- Will has been tied to a chair with a bucket on his head by donavan. The boys try and untie him but are told not to by donavan.
- The boys discuss their plans for the weekend and jay says he will be off to caravan club describing it as being like a massive orgy. The boys don't believe him so he invites them along, the boys agree much to jays surprise.
- Gilbert walks in and sees will tied to the chair, he makes will say he tripped so he doesn't have to deal with the situation much to wills annoyance.
- Simon drives the boys aside from jay to the caravan club. he tells neil he believes his car can top 100 to which he then has to prove. He does but slows down quickly afterwards and it is revealed his dad has told him not to go above 50mph.
- Will cant understand a text by jay but neil does easily letting the boys know jay wants to be picked up at a garage so he can take them to the caravan park. He also reads another text from jay asking if anyone needs condoms.
- At the garage simon cant put fuel into his car as he has parked to far away and is struggling. The other boys look at page 3 magazines inside the garage.
- jay has sent a girl from caravan club a picture of simon and gave her simon's number. she texts simon, much to his surprise at the garage and says she cant wait to meet him, simon replies and gets a picture of her in return. he seems fairly pleased with her and thinks he will get laid. Will however still doesn't believe jay.
- The boys meet the girls and it goes well, they ask them to the disco later on. The boys make further jokes about neils dad.
- The boys have tea with jays family but due to its confined space hear jays dad in the toilet, much to jays embarrassment. Jays dad also reveals that jay hasnt got lucky with any of the girls at the park.
- At the disco, the boys are disappointed as they think it is terrible. jay assures them it will get better. Neil starts to dance when a song he likes comes on, revealing his talent for robotic dancing.
- Simon is worried about having sex with the caravan girl as he thought he would lose his virginity to carli. jay assures him its a good idea and tells him to go ahead with the plan.
- as will talks to the adults, a emo styled girl approaches him and asks him to take her somewhere quiet to which he agrees. They kiss in the corner of the dancefloor and then she tries to take him outside to sleep with him. He is a bit frightened by her forcefulness and tries to get to know her and randomly suggests skidding on the floor like he did as a child. She walks off embarrassed. Will also gets his shoes stolen by children.
- Jay walks into the toilets to see his dad who mentions he saw jay chatting to a fat girl and when jay tells him he was just keeping her busy so simon can talk to her friend his dad tells him not to be embarrassed as jay isn't good with girls and should take what he can get. Will walks in and jays dad picks on jay a bit about pulling a fat girl, jay is upset and says he gets with lots of girls to which his dad makes fun of him further causing jay to walk off.
- Simon slow dances with the caravan girl. They kiss until they realise they are the only people on the dance floor and simon suggests they go outside. He walks past jay who he thanks as jay hands him a condom. When they get outside simon accidentally rips the girls top open and while she sorts herself out he puts the condom on and pulls down his trousers. She is shocked and furious and reveals that she isnt going to have sex with him and doesnt understand why he would think this. They renter the disco and a furious simon yells at jay for lying about saying she is an easy lay and that he had slept with her. The boys leave quickly before they are yelled at.
- Jays dad tells will to show the kids who stole his shoes who's boss so he half strangles a kid to get his shoes back.
- The emo girl approaches a dancing neil to find out if he is actually enjoying the disco but neil doesnt understand her and continues dancing.
- Neil meets up with the boys in the morning revealing he slept in the car. as they drive home the boys notice their seats are wet and they ask him if he wet himself in the night, He reveals he brought a girl back and although they didnt have sex he did do some stuff much to their disgust that that is what they are sitting in. He also reveals the girl to be the emo girl.
This episode feels like a slow conclusion to the series. one of the boys finally got lucky with a girl and they exposed some of jays lies even though he tries to continue them on. I think its important that the characters start to complete some of their goals in the series as again if they always fail it isnt worth watching. You want them to have a few wins so its unpredictable.
stay safe,
Helen
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Major Project: Pitch research
I found a good article about pitching guidelines for an original tv series.
Here are the points from the article:
Here is the link:
http://masteringfilm.com/pitching-guidelines-for-original-tv-series/
I have found this useful and will refer back to this when i am creating the book etc for hand in for the pre production unit.
stay safe,
Helen
Here are the points from the article:
1. Your pitch presentation should have the same tone as the genre of the series.
This is something that i have found very useful as it discusses the tone of the pitch. This is something i will be helping to convey through written pieces about characters and plot an obvious at the show is a sitcom it needs to be funny to show the show is funny.
2. Set the stage for the pitch before delving into the basic story points (“beats”) in the pilot episode.
This is where i will discuss the length of the show, the time period it is set etc.
3. Make eye contact with everyone.
4. Once the stage is set, start with a killer teaser to pique their interest.
This is something i have thought about. How to get people interested. I think i would like to talk about the show, tell a story from the view of one of characters maybe leading to a joke that shows again the tone of the show.
5. Once you’ve effectively grabbed their attention with the teaser, pitch out the basic A and B stories of the pilot episode.
Here the article suggests using sketches to show the characters but we are going to hire our actors and use picture of them and to discuss important and interesting facts about them rather than to bombard them with lots of information that is mostly irrelevant. I know what my main story of the pilot is already but need to work on strengthening my b plot.
6. Present the basic structure of the pilot episode.
Simon has told me that our pilot needs to have some form of conclusion but is open ended enough that it feels like part of series. I have a good idea of the pilots conclusion and they discuss how important this is in the article in this section.
7. End your pitch of the pilot episode on a high note that portends future conflicts versus too much resolution and harmony.
As i am writing the whole series for this show i have already envisioned most on what will happen during the series. I have a clear arc for most of the characters now and will soon begin on writing down their journeys so that we know what will happen throughout the series to each character. Therefore i know that the pilot has an ending that will show of future conflicts and people wanting more.
8. Make them care.
Emotional investment is key!
9. Clarify the week-to-week of your series.
by having episode synopsis's it will be clear what is happening in each episode.
10. Show them your series is set on fertile ground.
similar point to the last. episode loglines to show that the episodes are on the same track.
11. What is your intention for your series?
12. Briefly and succinctly pitch out the basic mythology of the series.
make the 'network' want to ask questions about your characters.
13. Let them know if it’s a “premise” pilot or a “non-premise” pilot
My pilot is a non premise pilot. We are dropped right into the action from the very start of the show. It is just a day for the characters, but it is the first time we see this world.
14. Think about casting—networks are all about getting the widest audience possible for their brand, so it’s always a good idea to have diversity in your cast.
Having diversity among the cast means the characters will reflect the world more realistically. this means making is multiracial and multigenrational. I have already considered this and having played on a football team i know that most non league teams are made up of a wide age group and diverse people many players are a lot older ad some as young as 16. this is something i have taken into account when creating the characters.
15. If you have a huge canvas of characters for an ensemble series, it can be helpful to prepare a visual aid—such as a chart—to refer to each character.
16. A short (three minutes or less) “sizzle reel” can be effective if it’s really provocative and well executed.
This is something i would have to discuss with chris and danny as this would be their job but i think it sounds interesting and potentially we could do something rather than to do with the episodes more of a extra you might get on a shows website. for example greys anatomy introduced new interns in one of its seasons and had an online mini series of about 5 minutes each episode which featured the interns as central focus. This could be an option but again it is something to think about but for the boys to decide.
17. Props can be a useful selling tool, but don’t use them as a crutch.
This is something we have talked about and i think needs to be looked at further as we need to consider what it will bring to the pitch.
18. Finish the pitch, and don’t buy it back.
19. Hollywood is built on relationships.
20. Be a professional.
21. Don’t discuss finances or price quotes in the pitch meeting.
22. I generally recommend that you have three pitches prepared when you’re meeting with a producer. Only ever pitch one idea. Be confident in your idea and show that you are passionate in getting this idea on the air.
Here is the link:
http://masteringfilm.com/pitching-guidelines-for-original-tv-series/
I have found this useful and will refer back to this when i am creating the book etc for hand in for the pre production unit.
stay safe,
Helen
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