Should the show runners accept unsolicited scripts?

[Jeric 46,880]

Based on a tangentially connected conversation that occurred in the Newbie Dash preview thread, we started talking about the experience of the writer assigned that episode.

 

@PiratePony, posted something that intrigued me when I read it. As it will likely be removed due to the topic's current status I'll quote it below.

Just because a writer has no experience doesn't make him bad. Maybe he was hired based on a spec script, maybe even this was the spec script and the writing team gave it to him. Episodes have a lot of hands in them, and they work together on assigning the episode outline to a particular writer. Maybe it'll be the best written Dashie episode of the series, who knows. Outright skipping it based on experience only, without even seeing his writing samples, seems really silly to me.[/fonfans

color]

I bolded the line that caught my attention. Now, a spec script is usually something that is written that will never be used in the show. Most times when a writer applies, they do so by invite through direct connection or through their agent. They usually are tasked with submitting several scripts for vetting. Many times the script will be for another show entirely. For example, Larson himself sent in a Spongebob script if I remember the story properly. Anyway, we know that spec scripts are a thing for the show runners of FiM ... or at least know that they were used in the past.

 

Now, what about unsolicited scripts? Most TV shows had a hard policy of not accepting fan or general public created scripts. Some shows in the past, notably Star Trek: The Next Generation, did buck the standard and accept unsolicited scripts. Their hope was to find that diamond in the rough, allow a pipeline for the general public to directly participate (which would occasionally include fans but not always).

 

So, should the show runners and Hasbro accept unsolicited material from a non-represented source of the general public. Could these scripts be viable presentation materials during the writers summits that they used to have allowing a story credit? To be honest I'm not sure if the summits still exist anymore, though this is how prior seasons were developed. Could this be a viable outlet for not just writers who happen to be fans, but also writers with a general interest in writing in animation?

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

Here's the thing if DHX was to allow any fan to submit in scripts: A lot of the fandom does not normally write within the rules of the show. Take a look at the MLP fanfiction that's the most popular. It's either dark and gritty like Fallout Equestria or Cupckaes, filled to the brim with shipping, a self-insert in Equestria story, or a crossover. Sure, there maybe a few diamonds in the rough that would work in the show, but that's few and far in between. Heck, I'll look at people's episode ideas and the ideas they have would either not work in the show or something that Slice of Life already did.

 

If they were to accept scripts from fans, they would have to have rules of staying within the rules of the show. Then maybe then they can sort through to find a script worthwhile.

[Dark Qiviut 22,588]

Accepting unsolicited scripts is very, very risky business. One of the best things about fanfiction is that you're unbound by certain rules to follow with exceptions. You can write whatever you want whenever you want. 99% of fics don't have a deadline hanging above your heads. One other big problem is most fanfic websites require you to write in prose. Writing for a show, play, or whatever requires you to write in certain script formats, which is a very different playing field. As someone who wrote scenes and an act of a play for class assignments, script writing is much harder than it looks. You have to put a lot of focus on the scenery, how the characters react to it, and so on.

 

If they'll ever think about it, then there needs to be some hard standards, including:

1. Not violating the content ratings, including TV-Y (the most stringent US content rating).
2. A focus on the central them of the show (friendship). You don't need a moral, and friendship may not even be part of the moral, but friendship must be its main theme.
3. Not writing the characters so out of character and don't make a character (canon or otherwise) perfect.
4. Must be an actual story and fit everything within twenty-two minutes.
5. Be warned that their script may be edited without notice during production.

[Lambdadelta 1,462]

Say "no" to fan material. Dont let fan control the show. I love some grim dark fanfic or some clopfic but I still want them as a fanfic, nothing more.

[PiratePony 8,490]

if they flat out had an open door policy of script submissions, they would need a signed waiver, because I can imagine two bronies having the same or similar idea, one gets read and purchased, the other doesn't, and then BAM, they get sued. Also imagine HOW many crappy scripts they'd receive on a daily basis...they'd have to hire several full time script readers to get through it all. 

 

However, I think anything is worth a shot, and I wouldn't discourage anyone from writing a stellar spec script that really looks show ready, finding the right person at DHX and at least throwing them a query letter. They may come back with a boilerplate rejection and "we don't accept unsolicited material" or you might be pleasantly surprised with "email us a PDF." It doesn't happen often, but it does in this business. I used to a have a screenwriting agent by this very technique....no I didn't sell my script to Hollywood

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                               YET!

[Luna 831 466]

I say no some of the fan material is to dark for the show.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,337]

I don't think there is any show that accepts unsolicited scripts or story ideas. It would prove a legal nightmare for the show runners. Here's just one thought off the top of my head. Say they accept a script and produce it. Once aired, they get sued because the person that REALLY wrote it becomes furious that someone swiped his story. Then, they get sued by every fanfic author that has a similar concept in their story.

Edited May 6, 2016 by cuteycindyhoney

[Jeric 46,880]

 

 

It's either dark and gritty like Fallout Equestria or Cupckaes, filled to the brim with shipping, a self-insert in Equestria story, or a crossover.

 

 

 

 

I love some grim dark fanfic or some clopfic but I still want them as a fanfic, nothing more.

 

 

 

I say no some of the fan material is to dark for the show.

 

I actually doubt this would ever be an issue for a myriad of reasons. Also, in general, while some would instantly consider the focus to be centered around fans ... I am more interested in the impact having wider net. This is why I mentioned general audience. Of course, like Trek did, you would need to have a prerequisite for what can and can't be done. DQ is absolutely right on the nose there. 

 

 

@cuteycindyhoney, a few do. Though not on the air now, Trek did. Also many UK production companies do as well. BBC Script Submissions

 

 

and at least throwing them a query letter

 

Somepony knows the dreaded 'q' word! I swear I could write tomes on how to draft a successful query letter. I actually had a literary agent long long ago. 

[Ponies4Bronies 396]

No fan material, it will cause a HUGE mess. Reasons should be obvious to anyone.

[Dark Qiviut 22,588]

 

 

I love some grim dark fanfic or some clopfic but I still want them as a fanfic, nothing more.

If it ever happens, the adult material will never reach the light of day. We see a boatload of this in our prose-filled stories because we have no restrictions in our creative freedom. They're not contributing to the show. Submitting a script that will mold the canon of the show is a completely different field with a completely different writing structure and stricter rules.

[Fhaolan 4,494]

There are ways around the 'no unsolicited scripts' restriction. The main one is to get solicited.

 

I'm not kidding here. The idea is to look like a professional scriptwriter in all the appropriate venues. You don't throw a script at them cold, you work up to it. Mainly by trying to sell something else, some original property so that the producers and agents see what you can do and go 'Hey, you know, we need a MLP script. This guy/girl/whatever writes stuff in that genre that seems reasonable.' You do one-page treatments for a variety of shows, with MLP just being one of them, and so on.

 

Basically, don't be a one trick pony. 

[Slashy 101]

Based on a tangentially connected conversation that occurred in the Newbie Dash preview thread, we started talking about the experience of the writer assigned that episode.

 

@PiratePony, posted something that intrigued me when I read it. As it will likely be removed due to the topic's current status I'll quote it below.

 

I bolded the line that caught my attention. Now, a spec script is usually something that is written that will never be used in the show. Most times when a writer applies, they do so by invite through direct connection or through their agent. They usually are tasked with submitting several scripts for vetting. Many times the script will be for another show entirely. For example, Larson himself sent in a Spongebob script if I remember the story properly. Anyway, we know that spec scripts are a thing for the show runners of FiM ... or at least know that they were used in the past.

 

Now, what about unsolicited scripts? Most TV shows had a hard policy of not accepting fan or general public created scripts. Some shows in the past, notably Star Trek: The Next Generation, did buck the standard and accept unsolicited scripts. Their hope was to find that diamond in the rough, allow a pipeline for the general public to directly participate (which would occasionally include fans but not always).

 

So, should the show runners and Hasbro accept unsolicited material from a non-represented source of the general public. Could these scripts be viable presentation materials during the writers summits that they used to have allowing a story credit? To be honest I'm not sure if the summits still exist anymore, though this is how prior seasons were developed. Could this be a viable outlet for not just writers who happen to be fans, but also writers with a general interest in writing in animation?

In a perfect world, yes! I think the possibility of someone who is rabid about the show may have its own problems, but I think being passionate about what you're creating could lead to some interesting ideas and possibly could solve some gripes that many fans have with the series since the writer chosen may be very familiar with those issues.

 

However aside from the issues of hiring someone who is incredibly attached to the work, there are more legal hurdles that exist from bringing in unsolicited scripts, so that is why it likely will never happen.

[cmarston1 5,964]

Not necessarily.

I don't think this would end up being a good thing.

The fans don't always know what is best for the show, and I feel like that could end up being greatly reflected in one of these scripts if it were to happen.

Plus to be honest, while I enjoy a good amount of fanart and fan works from this fanbase, I don't think a lot of it would translate well the the tone of the show.

I already felt a little put off by the distracting inclusion of Vinyl Scratch and Derpy in No Second Pracnes, and I have a feeling that a fan written episode for the show could take that feeling to a whole new level.

We already have Slice of Life as a canon-ish 22 minute fanfiction episode, I like the episode and all, but I don't want to see another episode like it.

[Slashy 101]

If it ever happens, the adult material will never reach the light of day. We see a boatload of this in our prose-filled stories because we have no restrictions in our creative freedom. They're not contributing to the show. Submitting a script that will mold the canon of the show is a completely different field with a completely different writing structure and stricter rules.

 

Maybe it is just my autism making it difficult to empathize, but when I do write stuff that is fanfic related I try to write is as close to show style as possible (script format), trying to best educate myself on the restrictions of the format (22 minute animated show), and try to educate myself as to what I believe would be Hasbro's demands. I don't like dark fics or stupid fics and prefer to write slice-of-life episodes or adventure stories with a clear silly tone to them.

 

I think I'm good at it based on the feedback I've received, but I always assumed that many fanfic writers could do this and just chose not to. This is why I ask why Hasbro doesn't just hire fans because I think guidelines for execution don't take long to understand or even internalize, nor should it be that hard to understand how to write the characters (maybe not 100% in character 100% of the time, but the show suffers from this too), so I guess I'm wondering why there aren't hundreds of fans who could do this really well.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I've read fanfics that would make for terrific episode concepts, and some fan authors certainly do have a better grasp of show characters than some show writers. However, finding those is a matter of fishing needles out of a big big haystack. Wouldn't be opposed to seeing episodes written by a few specific people, but I'd assume that the whole process would be more trouble than it's worth for those running the show.

[Untitled Goose Q 5,138]

Not a good idea.

 

Sure, Star Trek did it, for TNG, DS9 and Voyager... but the volume of scripts sent in was high, acceptance rate for scripts was very low, and lawsuits piled up, causing the policy to be suspended for Enterprise- it's not worth the hassle it causes the team.

[Slashy 101]

I've read fanfics that would make for terrific episode concepts, and some fan authors certainly do have a better grasp of show characters than some show writers. However, finding those is a matter of fishing needles out of a big big haystack. Wouldn't be opposed to seeing episodes written by a few specific people, but I'd assume that the whole process would be more trouble than it's worth for those running the show.

Right now I'm still believing everyone here is joking when you all tell me that probably 85%+ fanfic writers would submit grimdark, memefilled, or sexual stories for an episode if given the chance.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Slashy

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

 

 

Right now I'm still believing everyone here is joking when you all tell me that probably 85%+ fanfic writers would submit grimdark, memefilled, or sexual stories for an episode if given the chance.

 

Tis an exaggeration, to be sure, though I'm sure some would do it just to troll and harass the poor folks tasked with reading the scripts.

 

I didn't claim that 85+% people would submit things of that nature, though. I just said that I've encountered very few fan writers who I'd expect to write a quality FiM episode.

[Slashy 101]

Tis an exaggeration, to be sure, though I'm sure some would do it just to troll and harass the poor folks tasked with reading the scripts.

 

I didn't claim that 85+% people would submit things of that nature, though. I just said that I've encountered very few fan writers who I'd expect to write a quality FiM episode.

I only quoted you as just an example out of many, nearly all of the fandom believes fans cannot write anything that would feel like an episode or even one of the children's novels.

 

Like seriously? Are you willing to tell me that there are well-regarded writers on FIMfiction that can't understand the characters or the world they live in, or cannot write them with the proper tone and keep it appropriate? 

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I only quoted you as just an example out of many, nearly all of the fandom believes fans cannot write anything that would feel like an episode or even one of the children's novels.

 

I didn't say that I believed that. I do believe the proportion who could do it is probably relatively small compared to the number who thinks they're capable of it.

 

Like seriously? Are you willing to tell me that there are well-regarded writers on FIMfiction that can't understand the characters or the world they live in, or cannot write them with the proper tone and keep it appropriate?

 

Depends on how we define "well-regarded". Since relatively few fanfics are written in the show's style (self-contained slice of life stories), most well-regarded people on Fimfic have become popular by writing stories that one wouldn't normally see in the show. Because of this, I don't think it's unfair to say that their styles wouldn't necessarily transition seamlessly to writing episodes.

[Slashy 101]

I didn't say that I believed that. I do believe the proportion who could do it is probably relatively small compared to the number who thinks they're capable of it.

 

 

Depends on how we define "well-regarded". Since relatively few fanfics are written in the show's style (self-contained slice of life stories), most well-regarded people on Fimfic have become popular by writing stories that one wouldn't normally see in the show. Because of this, I don't think it's unfair to say that their styles wouldn't necessarily transition seamlessly to writing episodes.

On the front page of FIMfiction or featured on EQD multiple times.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Slashy

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

This should be done on an very rare, once-in-a-blue-moon basis. If the quality of the scripts were at their utmost, this would mean the end of the writing craft on this show and potentially others as a professional job and the effects on professional writers will ripple throughout the industry.

 

On the other hand, if most of the scripts were garbage, it would take a long time sifting through it to find a useable gem. In the process, you risk legal ramifications that can come from *accidentally* stealing someone's idea, even if it's improved upon.

 

Some shows have run one-off contests in which they've accepted fan-written scripts or characters (Arthur has done this a couple of times) to be produced into episodes. There's no reason shows like this can't pull that off today.

 

Now, I know how hard this is for aspiring writers. Limiting who gets to write on the show to the experienced (most on this show) or those who are socially (Teddy Antonio) or professionally (GM Berrow) connected to the existing staff creates an insular environment of cronies in this industry that prevents new talent from coming up. Formal training is expensive and ideas are best acted upon as soon as possible. Most of us accept that no matter how good we could be if we tried, we could never write for MLP or any of its contemporaries because of the way the industry works. You can never know for sure if the best MLP script ever written was even made into an episode.

 

However, I think a balanced approach is necessary to keep the talent flowing and to keep the riff-raff out. Almost everyone thinks they have what it takes to be a writer on this show. Obviously, not everyone who writes the script for an episode they want to see has it. Maybe a spec here or there is fine if the writer is credentialed enough. Maybe a contest like Arthur would be good, too.

 

However, I think the very best thing MLP staff can do is support the interest, education, and development of new writing talent in the animation industry in every possible way they can in order to help secure the future of this field.

[Slashy 101]

This should be done on an very rare, once-in-a-blue-moon basis. If the quality of the scripts were at their utmost, this would mean the end of the writing craft on this show and potentially others as a professional job and the effects on professional writers will ripple throughout the industry.

 

On the other hand, if most of the scripts were garbage, it would take a long time sifting through it to find a useable gem. In the process, you risk legal ramifications that can come from *accidentally* stealing someone's idea, even if it's improved upon.

 

Some shows have run one-off contests in which they've accepted fan-written scripts or characters (Arthur has done this a couple of times) to be produced into episodes. There's no reason shows like this can't pull that off today.

 

Now, I know how hard this is for aspiring writers. Limiting who gets to write on the show to the experienced (most on this show) or those who are socially (Teddy Antonio) or professionally (GM Berrow) connected to the existing staff creates an insular environment of cronies in this industry that prevents new talent from coming up. Formal training is expensive and ideas are best acted upon as soon as possible. Most of us accept that no matter how good we could be if we tried, we could never write for MLP or any of its contemporaries because of the way the industry works. You can never know for sure if the best MLP script ever written was even made into an episode.

 

However, I think a balanced approach is necessary to keep the talent flowing and to keep the riff-raff out. Almost everyone thinks they have what it takes to be a writer on this show. Obviously, not everyone who writes the script for an episode they want to see has it. Maybe a spec here or there is fine if the writer is credentialed enough. Maybe a contest like Arthur would be good, too.

 

However, I think the very best thing MLP staff can do is support the interest, education, and development of new writing talent in the animation industry in every possible way they can in order to help secure the future of this field.

I dunno today's episode felt like it was written by someone who only had a basic knowledge of the show, and it was loaded with jokes that don't have a decent payoff, characters seeming very superficial, and a rushed ending.

 

I think a fan could do this episode idea better.