What's happening with The Precinct?

Things are happening.

Woody The Producer and I applied for, and received, a travel grant from Film Victoria. This means that he and The Precinct are going to an event called MIPTV in Cannes, France. MIPTV is a big-arse television market. International distributors and networks go there every year to check out which programs they might be interested in sinking money into/showing to the public. So Woody’s being there to sell the concept to bigshots in person could help us get this thing moving faster.

We are looking at perhaps co-producing the series with a Canadian company, which supposedly delivers tax benefits to both sides. I’ve never personally spoken to the Canadians in question, so that’s something needs doing before we go any further with them…

Being that I have no experience in this field (dealing with companies, being a company, doing things that aren’t making cartoons or eating a parma) I canvassed a few people whose opinions I respect on how a deal with, say, a large American Hollywood concern might unfold. These varied slightly:

· “You will be anally ruptured by the entertainment industry.”

· “You will be anally ruptured by specific representatives of the entertainment industry.”

· “You will be anally ruptured, then paid for your discomfort.”

But seriously -- the outlook appears bleak for the (relatively) young, inexperienced TV series creator who wishes to have their series produced and yet keep a hand on the tiller of their creation.

· “When a PROPER writer is brought in, you may be allowed to contribute.”

· “[They]’ll pay you out.”

· “You can’t expect final say [on anything].”

· “After development…[snip] fired… [snip] lawyers and money.”

· “Anal.”

So this has led me to think about what it is I want as far as The Precinct and myself. Unfortunately, this is an idea I really like, so I’m bound to be somewhat precious about it. If I was smart I’d come up with a shit idea I have no personal attachment to and try to sell that.

But since we’re here now, here is what I would most want from an ideal deal: the freedom to write my own show, or to delegate the writing to people chosen by myself. Input welcomed and encouraged from absolutely anyone -- producer, co-producer, distributor, network, asshole emo kid with eyeshadow I saw at Grill’d -- but final say on what goes to air.

Is that greedy? Does anyone get that? Will the money man always be able to force me to change my show to live-action and my characters to tweenage hairdressing students?

For now I have faith that, having made the right deal/s with the right people, I would be allowed to make a good, silly cop show without enormous interference.

Shoot me down!