Okay, so since I was really little, I always thought it would be awesome to have a job as writer for a movie or maybe a sitcom. It just sounds like so much fun to me. A couple people sitting around a room trying to make each other laugh, and when they succeed, they write it down; sounds easy enough. Not to mention if you're any good, you can make an absolute killing doing it.
An article in New York Magazine came out this week however, and somewhat crushed my dream job for me. The article is a collection of interviews with showrunners and creators of shows such as 30 Rock, Community, The Office, The Late Show with David Letterman, and many more. Essentially it talks about how these guys go in for upwards of 13 hours a day and it is less than a fun experience. There is apparently so much tension and nerves to hit a deadline, that it sounded like everyone interviewed could have cried at any second. I guess that's what makes them pros though. They just deal with their nerves, and keep on moving.
Wow, I had never really though about how much work can go into a sitcom before. I'm sure it's a stressful job, especially when you have to deal with a ton of people at once. There is probably a lot of pressure to make sure that the show or movie is successful. I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side!
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely interesting. I too thought being a writer for a sitcom would be a pretty fun job. Maybe it's just because I absolutely LOVE The Office, but for some reason I just see all of the writers hanging out with guys like Steve Carell and Ricky Gervais and writing funny scripts all day long. But if you think about it, tv has deadlines just like any other form of media. It must be doubly hard to be pressured when you're doing comedy. If someone told me I needed to come up with a hilarious 30-minute show by Tuesday, I'd probably have a major case of writers block. I have a new-found respect for what those guys do.
ReplyDeleteI feel LIke that's what it's like for a lot of creative positions that work under huge money making corporations. There is art in the process but the process has so many standards to follow it slowly drains the creative pursuit and turns it into a product. I have seen this in the music industry. I have been wanting to pursue music professionally for some time and from what I've seen as well as experienced, It's who you know to get in. Then once you get in if you want to gain a lot of notoriety you have to cater to exactly what the label wants. It's a shame because many talented artists stay in obscurity while products that are churned out by the record label continue to make the majority of the music sales profit.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you guys seem to be somewhat interested in all this "behind the scenes" stuff as I am. I figured I was one of the few weirdos who found that stuff interesting. But yea, I was thinking pretty much the same thing you guys were. I was thinking it was this perfect job. I should have known it had its own set of cons like deadlines and pressures just like any other job.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty interesting view of it David, and I like the comparison to the music industry. As far as breaking into the industry, I think you're definitely on to something with having to know someone. It kind of comes with the territory a lot of the time in creative fields. If you guys can get your hands on the article, it might be worth it to read through a little bit since we all seem to be thinking along the same lines. You might still be pretty shocked by what they say.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to write for a sitcom or pen an original comedy movie. I've always had a huge respect for the writers who create episodes for shows such as The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, and Community. I mean those shows are seriously SO funny. Even though I know the hours are long and tedious, I would still like to dabble in comedy writing. I think the experience would be priceless. You should definitely go for even though you know it will drain you! Becoming a writer for a sitcom can lead to even bigger things for you! Conan O' Brian started out as a writer for SNL and now look at him. One day when you write a joke and then Tina Fey says on 30 Rock, it will all be worth it!
ReplyDeleteI also thought that was one of the best jobs in the world. Never realized how stressful it actually is to have a funny show every time it's scheduled. I guess it's the talent that keeps them going, but you have to give writers lots of credit for the great shows they create. I guess in every field there's stress and deadlines. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a job and people wouldn't have to pay you to do it. I say stick with your dream job though, what the article failed to mention is that, despite all the stress and tensions, they still show up to work, even in this economy it's got to be for more than the paycheck.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you found this out. I figured stress of deadlines and nerves is more than likely a constant factor for any writer, whether it be for a book or sitcom. However, I always assumed though it could be stressful at times, writing scripts for comeday would be more fun, and the good would weigh out the bad. I guess I always pictured in my mind for people who write for comedic sitcoms like "The Office", a group of people sitting around a table, relaxed and easy going discussing how they could top the script for the previous episode--just bouncing ideas of each other and creating some laughs in between. But I guess nothing is really ever what seems to be.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting post to read. I too always thought that it would be fun and pictured a bunch of friends, having yummy snacks and drinks around a table with big, comfy chairs, and laughing with no time-constraints. Since we have been reading so much about the media and its' influence on our ideas, I think that this is perfectly relevant. Just as the media portrays the life of a doctor by shows like "Grey's Anatomy" pretty innacurately, we have probably developed a lot of false preconceived notions of other occupations as well, just as in this case.
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