Now that my novel "Froschperspektive" (Frog Perspective) is in the final stages, I've considered that it's time to start a new project. It is a screenplay for a six-episode children's series entitled "Frogs". This very "froggy" idea came to me on the Way of St. James, where I already had the idea for "Froschperspektive“. The perfect place to write down the first draft.
(Excerpt from my Camino diary)
Why Amazon Studios?
My goal is to pitch the finished script to Amazon Studios. If you like, you could say that I'm writing the script specifically for Amazon, and there's a good reason for that:
The special thing about Amazon Studios is that anyone, no matter if experienced screenwriter or baby writer, can offer his script idea. This is especially interesting if, like me, you do not know anybody in the big studios, you do not live in L.A., and you don’t have any idea how Hollywood works behind the scenes.
After uploading the script, Amazon Studios then uses a more or less democratic process to decide which idea to put into further consideration. The fact that this open door policy is a major exception in the film industry is shown by a look at the websites of other studios, which say:
"No unsolicited submissions" or "Please do not send us your scripts."
In other words, these doors remain closed to us.
You can have different opinions on Amazon, but it is precisely this open door policy that has made things like self-publishing possible, which provides many authors an acceptable income. I also have to admit that when it comes to contract terms, Amazon Studios puts their cards on the table.
So what's wrong with creating a product that Amazon explicitly asks for? There are still possibilities left to fill it with your own personality and to make it original. In my opinion, going with Amazon is the better way than writing a spec script into the blue and try to sell it. Especially European scripts from non-English-speaking authors are unlikely to be shortlisted in this classical way.
Why a TV script?
Apart from Amazon's framework, a script has been on my to-do list for quite some time. When I first thought about writing and wanted to start with it, it was not the books about how to write a novel that motivated me. It was the books about Screenwriting. Especially:
Blake Snyder – Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
John Truby – The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller
I am fascinated by this effectiveness and this dry pragmatism of a screenplay. Everything is just for the purpose, to advance the story and lead to the goal without much debauchery. This and the conscious gaps that are filled by the reader's imagination create realistic images in the mind of the readers. Those are the things that make the screenplay for me but at the same time its the greatest challenge.
Why a TV series for children?
Finally, the question remains why I have just decided on a children's series, because who reads the excerpts from the manuscript of "Froschperspektive", will quickly notice that these are very adult.
The answer is easy: The story came to me by its own and even if the story is played in an imaginary frog village, in the end, I tell a story about me and my very own experiences. And frankly, I love animated movies for kids. Not infrequently, children's films have managed to inspire the target audience and then moved on to adults. In addition, many of these films have grown up with me from childhood - more or less.
In contrast to the novel, I decided to be reluctant with the story itself. I have already written about which ambivalent feelings can trigger criticism. Therefore, I will give the first draft for the time being only test readers who have helped me a lot with my novel, but who have managed to get me out of my comfort zone.
Nevertheless, I want to share the logline of "Frogs" with you. In my eyes, this logline says without everything revealing anything.
Smurfs at the lake
(Excerpt from the script "Frogs“)
The story is already complete, but I have just written two episodes. I am looking forward to the challenges of the coming weeks, including the completion of the story, the revision, a professional translation into English and, of course, the pitch to Amazon Studios. I will keep you informed about any updates.
Keep on writing!
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This sounds exciting. I look forward to seeing more about this project.
Thank you choogirl. Will keep you up to date.