My Smallville pitch/idea

[Binker]

Hey guys, I have this idea that I wanan give to the producers. Problem is; I don't know how to send this idea nor do I know if this will fit anywhere in there plan for the rest of this season.

The reason why I said this is both a pitch and a idea is because it can work both ways. There is kinda a story behind this idea, but its not much developed.

The idea/pitch is this: Clark is countering a villian. A villian that he will, and only meet, when he's older. It turns out the villian is from the future, and that he is not alone. Clark meets his future self, wearing the costume. The whole point is not only finally seeing Tom/Clark as Superman, but for Clark to see in his eyes what he will become thus having him start his first steps toward that in that very episode. Before Superman leaves, Clark notices that he will use the "House of El" and asks what does he call himself when he does this. Superman tells him that he rather not say because even he (Clark) didn't use come up with a name when he started, or starts out. But he tells him not to worry, as someone he knows will coin the name (reference to Lois coining "Superman").

So thats an idea I would like. If this were to happen, not only would we finally see Tom as Superman but it would appear in a way that it doesn't ruin the timeline of Clark in his younger, Smallville years before he actually becomes Superman later on.

What do you think?

 

[AgentPat]

...What do you think?

1. You can't just "submit" a script or idea without going through the proper channels. This usually starts with a WGA membership (break out your checkbook!) and an agent to represent you. That's bear minimum.

2. SV has a writing staff that pens scripts based off season-long story arcs, the outline of which is predetermined by the Show Runners, G&M. Good luck getting in on that action.

3. Having Superman from the future decked out in full regalia go back in time to advise modern day Clark takes all the fun out of watching Clark figure it out for himself, not to mention the money shot of finally seeing him don the suit at the very end of the series.

 

[triplet]

Well, you can't do what you want to do... Just can't.

They don't take pitches for scripts from unrepresented writers. Even if you had an agent, you'd have to have a solid script sample to show them from anything else except Smallville. They won't read unsolicited Smallville scripts. Added to that is that they only usually take only two freelancers a year, it's all that's required by WGA rules, and I think they've already had their quota of those this year, btw.

Tracy Bollomo wrote her sole pro credit in Wither earlier this season and I betcha the hacks that wrote Static are the other freelancers allowed for the year... Holly Harold, Al Septein & Turi Meyer might even qualify as freelancers since they're not on the writing staff, they are just script editors.... Holly's already written her ep for the year and I bet Al and Turi are coming up.

Even if you had an agent and a solid sample script from any tv show other than smallville to show them, getting a meeting would be hard to do I would think. Your thoughts on doing an episode are probably not going to become reality, sorry.

 

[Binker]

But I have ideas, and I want things to happen. Not just Smallville, but even a DTV of Wonder Woman. I'm even writing an outline for that DTV. Even I have things that are good.

If not Smallville, then that DTV of Wonder Woman.

 

[AgentPat]

But I have ideas, and I want things to happen. Not just Smallville, but even a DTV of Wonder Woman. I'm even writing an outline for that DTV. Even I have things that are good.

If not Smallville, then that DTV of Wonder Woman.

Are you a member of the WGA? Do you have an agent? If your answer is no to either of those questions, then your material is about as valuable as a good fan fiction - e.g. it's worthless. Nobody in the biz could use your ideas even if they wanted to, no matter how fantastic they are. You HAVE to go through the proper channels in Hollywood. It's just the way it is.

 

[triplet]

Yeah, it might be sad but it is true. No one will even look at your unsolicited ideas and it doesn't matter how good they are.

Wonder Woman is under developement as a feature so I doubt anyone is looking to make a direct to video of it right now...And a TV show like Smallville is essentially a closed shop. It's very hard to get there unless you know someone and I'm thinking you don't know anybody...

Write something else and get yourself an agent and use that something else as a sample. It's the only way to get a meeting...

 

[Brainiac 8]

Wow, harsh gals, no sugar coating for him at all.

 

[Binker]

The main reason why I want a DTV is because of one simple problem: DCAU. In JL/JLU, Wonder Woman wasn't like the comics at all. When I read her, I like her, understand her, and not just her but her mother as well and the people on the island. You have that, get that from the comics. You don't have in the DCAU. I agree with Wheldon when he said that Wonder Woman is a "for women" person but not a "against men" type. Which is what we kinda saw in the show.

And comparing her first time onto the outside world from the comics and in the DCAU; in the comics it was better. Because as a "fish outta water", she kew things would be different and went on learning from them. In the DCAU, she was almost spoiled.

Thats why I want to do a DTV. Thats why I want to write one. I'm a writer. And what you guys said, well that needs to change. I mean even THEY at times don't know what they're doing. If WB & DC are planning one (going back to what I read about a WW DTV, Flash one and GL one). then I don't have to worry. If not, then I will still plead, beg, demand one.

 

[triplet]

Wow, harsh gals, no sugar coating for him at all.

Getting the guy's hopes up won't do him any favors.

 

[Kaboom]

i have an idea. its called, why Kaboom should be a Smallville-specific mod.

 

[avidreader]

i have an idea. its called, why Kaboom should be a Smallville-specific mod.

Why dont you send in an application, through the proper channels.

Binker, good luck with your writing, but I have to tell you, I dont like the outline of your Smallville story.

 

[Kaboom]

Binker, good luck with your writing, but I have to tell you, I dont like the outline of your Smallville story....

....at all.

 

[avidreader]

....at all.

No, mostly for the reasons Pat mentioned above. It takes away the whole premise of Clark struggling to find out who he really is and it also takes away that one HUGE moment at the end of the series when we actually see him in the suit for the first time.

An outline like that, is pretty much jumping the shark in my opinion.

 

[Brainiac 8]

i have an idea. its called, why Kaboom should be a Smallville-specific mod.

You should, then like, our group will have real power! mwahahahahaha...oops...got ahead of myself.

 

[triplet]

No, mostly for the reasons Pat mentioned above. It takes away the whole premise of Clark struggling to find out who he really is and it also takes away that one HUGE moment at the end of the series when we actually see him in the suit for the first time.

An outline like that, is pretty much jumping the shark in my opinion.

You know, the biggest problem with this idea, as well as others that other people have come up with, is that they are ideas that attempt to "fix" the show.

How arrogant is that?

I mean, look at it from their side. If they give a new writer a shot by granting them a meeting, taking valuable time out of their busy days, and then the writer comes along and pitches a story that strives to "fix" a problem in the show, how welcoming do you think they'd be?

I don't think that they would take kindly to that at all...

Even if Binker did get a meeting, I doubt this idea would go over well for just that reason.

 

[Brainiac 8]

^Good points Trip.

I have read many ideas that people have that are attempts to 'fix' the show.

Arrogance indeed.

 

[triplet]

^Good points Trip.

I have read many ideas that people have that are attempts to 'fix' the show.

Arrogance indeed.

Yeah, it's the one of the first things I've heard you NEVER do when writing for a current TV show. Don't try to fix the show, if it's made it onto network TV then it's not broken.

Another thing to do is: Keep the star the star.

I once read a pretty good Smallville spec that gave the guest star the most lines. It was like a Cyranno De Bergerec, with Clark being Christian, another guest star being Roxanne and the guest star being Cyranno.

Interesting idea, but although it did well in a few contests I don't think they woulda taken the pitch. Clark should be the star...

Another problem with this idea is that present day Clark isn't the prime character in this story, although if Tom also played the supes from the future it could work, but it takes away some important things from this Clark as Pat pointed out...

*shrug*

That said, I think writing for your favorite show is a good excercise as a writer. You know the characters and the general storylines better than a writer that doesn't watch the show... It's easier in some ways, actually, than writing spec features.

I even did it myself and my Smallville spec script did okay in several contests. I had a lot of fun, writing Lionel and Lex is an an absolute hoot, and I learned a lot. However, no way could I ever show it to anyone on the show.

I wish... I would have insisted on going up to Vancouver to watch filming.



Oh, well.

 

[avidreader]

Yeah, it's the one of the first things I've heard you NEVER do when writing for a current TV show. Don't try to fix the show, if it's made it onto network TV then it's not broken.

Exactly! How many times have we all read people say that there were so many better ways were there to write this Clexana triangle. I could have done a much better job etc. etc.

The arrogance that comes across to me in this line of thinking is, how when we are watching a story unfold, can we come to a conclusion of the way its going to play if we havent watched it all yet.

Not to mention that there are so many more contingencies involved in writing a script than just writing a good story.

Another thing to do is: Keep the star the star.

Which is what happened with Static. I think I said in DeKnight's Blog, if Tom wasnt available to be in alot of that episode due to his directing responsibilities, then they at least should attempt to make the episode about Clark. Lose that focus, and the episode just sucks BIG time.

Another problem with this idea is that present day Clark isn't the prime character in this story, although if Tom also played the supes from the future it could work, but it takes away some important things from this Clark as Pat pointed out...

Spoiler

Since that BR on Smallville spoiler released

you have no idea how many people think it would be a great idea if he was to play a future Superman coming back in time to talk to Clark. We dont need to go there and argue that point, but seriously this show stars Tom Welling as Clark Kent.

I wish... I would have insisted on going up to Vancouver to watch filming.



Oh, well.

Insist? Was it an option for you?

 

[Brainiac 8]

Yes, Static was a prime example of losing the focus of the main character in the story.

 

[Kaboom]

i miss my old sig...it summed upeverything i would say: i dont care what you would differently on smavile, and gough and millar dont either.

 

[triplet]

Which is what happened with Static. I think I said in DeKnight's Blog, if Tom wasnt available to be in alot of that episode due to his directing responsibilities, then they at least should attempt to make the episode about Clark. Lose that focus, and the episode just sucks BIG time.

Yep, although I think with Static that it was hard for them to figure that out... Tom maybe worked two days on Static I think when he usually does all ten.

*shrug*

He must have been very busy, so considering I think they did okay. At least what little he was in Static, Clark's character advanced a great deal.

Spoiler

Since that BR on Smallville spoiler released

you have no idea how many people think it would be a great idea if he was to play a future Superman coming back in time to talk to Clark. We dont need to go there and argue that point, but seriously this show stars Tom Welling as Clark Kent.

Yeah, good point.

Insist? Was it an option for you?

If I'd sold that script, I would have made it a primary demand in the negotiations.



It's not just to see Tom and the other cast, but to see how it's done. I've never been on a real set. The student films I'd made in college don't count, I'd want to see the process of the people on the show breathing life into my words...

It would have been a valuable learning experience.

oh, well. Maybe I'll sell something someday...

*sigh*

 

[Artistsean]

I had an idea for a pitch for Smallville, to introduce Green Lantern on the show. Introduce any of them, Jon or Hal, but have them show up in the cover of night. Maybe on some secret mission, that way they would have to change their uniform to civilian clothes, and keep the theatrics of the ring to a minimum. But you would clearly see the ring and some use of it.

The Green Lantern, who ever it was, would teach Clark about heroism, aliens, how to keep a secret identity, and stuff like that. He could be an almost father figure.

I had ideas for Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, and a few others too.

 

[Kaboom]

i have an idea/pitch....darkseid can come on and kill clark, and then bruce wayne will show up and defeat him, because he has prep time.

 

[Artistsean]

I do think that Darksied would be cool, but he should be in Superman Returns 3. That way there is a obscenely large amount of money to go into special effects, character design and effects, and 2 hours to focus on him.

 

[Brainiac 8]

i have an idea/pitch....darkseid can come on and kill clark, and then bruce wayne will show up and defeat him, because he has prep time.

LOLt:

Prep time always wins.