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Posts published in “Paper Team”

The Influence of TV: Scratching the Surface (PT11)

The Influence of TV: Scratching the Surface (PT11)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:57 — 44.8MB)

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Alex and Nick go off the beaten path to discuss the influence of the television medium on both cultures and people. We take a look at a few interesting case studies that have affected us personally, and the world we live in.

Which television stories have had a major impact on our lives? What about representation, international exports, and other cultures? Why is television much more than just an “idiot box”?
From The Simpsons to Star Trek, diversity to social relevance, Paper Team takes a look at a few interesting case studies illustrating television’s impact.

This episode is by no means an exhaustive discussion on the subject (people have done entire PhDs on it), merely a conversation starter through specific examples and themes.

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – What is the most influential TV show of all time? (00:55)
2 – A few words on diversity and representation on TV (15:03)
3 – Exports, adaptations, and the influence of international shows (25:24)
4 – TV’s social and personal impact (35:02)
Takeaway and next week’s topic (46:50)

Links

Bush v. Simpsons (Video)
Kodos and Kang’s Two-Party System (Video)
Homer owns the Denver Broncos (Video)
The Simpsons’ Movie References (Video)
Irish Unification of 2024
NASA’s Science of Star Trek
Nichelle Nichols reflects on MLK Encounter
Lucille Ball & Star Trek
Homosexuality portrayal in Star Trek
Dawson’s Creek at ATX (The Writers Panel)
Les Miroirs Obscurs – Martin Winckler
“Indians on TV” (1×04 – Master of None)
NBC’s SeeSo
Le bureau
Psychology for Screenwriters – William Indick
“Other Things You Could Be Doing” (2×12 – You’re the Worst)
“The Body” (5×16 – Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
“Mother Simpson” (7×08 – The Simpsons)
“Ecotone” (5×09 – Six Feet Under)

Special thanks to Jason J. Cohn for helping us edit this episode.

If you enjoyed the episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :)

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex – @TVCalling
Nick – @_njwatson
If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

TV Budgeting and Line Producing ft. Maggie Herman (Bosch) – On the Road at SDCC 2016 (PT10)

TV Budgeting and Line Producing ft. Maggie Herman (Bosch) – On the Road at SDCC 2016 (PT10)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:23 — 57.2MB)

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Alex goes on the road at SDCC 2016 with Maggie Herman, assistant to the Executive Producer/Line Producer on the Amazon series Bosch, to discuss every TV writer’s favorite topic: budgeting. How much does an hour of television cost? And how do scripts get broken down into money?

It’s a double Paper Team first, as we welcome our very first guest-star, and have our very first “On the Road” episode while Alex drives up from San Diego Comic-Con 2016 with Maggie (and another surprise guest).

What is the real cost of an hour of TV? What is the process of breaking scripts into producible selection of scenes? Why would anyone want to become a line producer? What was Maggie’s favorite cosplay of the con?
All these questions and many more are answered in this special edition of Paper Team.

NOTE: I (Alex) recorded this podcast while literally on the road (riding shotgun in Maggie’s car). There should be minimal background noise after the post-production work done since I fixed it in post–but just in case, prepare your ears.

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – How was Comic-Con 2016? (02:23)
2 – Everything you wanted to know about line producing, budgeting for television, and breaking down scripts into money (04:53)
3 – What Titus Welliver smells like and how amazing his crew gift was (58:19)

Links

Bosch – Available exclusively on Amazon
Maggie Herman’s Twitter
Chelsea Crane’s Twitter
Transmetropolitan – Warren Ellis & Darick Robertson
Sorkinisms – A Supercut (Video)

Maggie HermanMaggie Herman posing for the podcast

Bosch LP Schedule AugustMaggie’s fancy post-it-notes scheduling board for production

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :)

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex – @TVCalling
Nick – @_njwatson
If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

How to Be a Great Production Assistant (PT09)

How to Be a Great Production Assistant (PT09)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:56 — 39.4MB)

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Alex and Nick talk about everything you need to know on how to get a television production assistant job, and what to do (and what not to do) so you excel at it.
What are the different kinds of TV PAs (on-set PA, office PA, post PA, writers’ PA)? What does each job entail? How do you actually get a sweet PA gig? And, more importantly, what should you be doing to make a great impression and make the best of that professional opportunity?
The Paper Team brews a fresh pot of coffee while answering these questions and more…

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – The different TV Production Assistant jobs (00:30)
2 – Getting a PA job (15:56)
3 – What to do and what no to do on the job (21:18)
4 – How to go above and beyond (28:15)
5 – Opportunities to seize while being a PA (32:21)
6 – Keeping the ball rolling after the show wraps (37:27)
Takeaways and Resources (40:00)

Links

Below the Line listings
Production Weekly
eFax
“Attitude!” – The Birth of Poochie in The Simpsons (Video)

Resources

Needle Girl Haystack World
The Anonymous Production Assistant’s Blog

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :)

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex – @TVCalling
Nick – @_njwatson

If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]