Writers are Walking Dead

The biggest piece of news this last week, was the apparent firing of The Walking Dead's writing staff. I'm late to the party, I know. I just started this blog.

Quick disclaimer: I'm voicing my opinion, it is wrong, it's flawed to shit, but that's because I don't work in the US and Australia's TV system sucks.

From a budding screenwriters perspective and from a perspective from someone who's read the responses and has NO idea about how the writers room / WGA really works over there. I can 110% say that I really shouldn't be posting about this. So here's my two cents on everyone elses two cents.

I think [the awesome] Ashley Edward Miller [Writer of Andromeda, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, Fringe and most recently, Thor] summed it up really nicely in two tweets.

Sigh. Really? “@NikkiFinke: 'The Walking Dead' Lets Go Of Writers; Considers No Writing Staff For S2 http://dlvr.it/9Tvxp”

followed by...

Because you know, that shit just writes itself.

Immediately after hearing and then reading about the news, my first thought was: why in the hell are you doing this Mr. Darabont? And proceeded to write and read other writers and the public's opinions. However in doing this, [the awesome] Mr. Edward Miller tweeted:

It's always amusing hearing people express opinions about how television shows function when they've never produced a minute of it.

So I backtracked and took a seat on my couch and started to cry. I've got two short films produced as a student. Nothing else. The Australian TV industry isn't what it's cracked up to be. It's NOTHING like the US system or the UK system. But it's interesting to see the difference in opinions from writers that have the produced credits.

The general consensus from everyone is that this isn't a particularly smart move from Darabont. Why? I mean, 6 episodes really isn't that much work for Darabont by himself [Although - Kirkman, the creator of the comic is still around] however when the show was renewed for a 13 episode second season, then it becomes a bit worrisome. I mean, AMC wants The Walking Dead to be ready for Halloween next year, that means that in less than 10 months, Darabont and Kirkman need to [and correct me if I'm wrong or missing anything]:

• Plan 13 episodes
• Outline 13 episodes
• Break 13 episodes
• Write 13 episodes
• Redraft 13 episodes
• Produce 13 episodes

You get where I'm coming from? That list actually goes on but I can't be bothered detailing the process further. But you see, It's a lot of work. I know that we haven't been given all the facts and if you'd read the article at the top of this post, you would have seen that there are changes to the writing staff. But for the purposes of this seemingly superfluous entry, we'll just stick with Kirkman and Darabont, actually, let's just stick with Darabont. He's the "showrunner."

Reports are also saying that production on S2 will roll on in Feb next year. That's a small timeframe, which is something you work against, but ultimately you come out with something. You have to, otherwise you face delays, people supremely pissed off at you leading to your ass inevitably getting fired. The great thing about writing for TV is that it rolls over, if you have writing staff, that is. While your crew is working on an episode, your writing staff can be sitting in a fucking cool room [or toilet, or whatever] outlining, breaking and ultimately writing the stories we see on the screen.

It's a process that tries it's best to streamline everything into something that runs smooth and [hopefully] stress free. BUT - whilst production gears up for a Feb start, Darabont has a choice: he can write the whole fucking season by himself OR hire freelance writers.

If he wants to write the whole fucking season by himself, the quality of this show will probably turn to shit. It doesn't seem like Darabont is a "take the back seat and let someone else have a go" kind of guy. He wants to do it all by himself. He's the hero! [Darabont, if you read this. I'm sorry. I do want to work with you, but probably never will].

If he wants to hire freelance writers to bring their talents to the plate, then I can see the production moving a bit more steadily. Quality wise? I'm not so sure. I know that any freelancers that have smelled the opportunity have probably already rewatched the first season six times, bought the comics and are studying them. To you freelancers, good luck! I wish you all the best. There's some quality writing out there and I'm sure AMC will pick it up.

Whatever choice Darabont makes, I'm sure we'll be seeing 13 episodes in the next 10 months. The ratings for this show are very healthy, so that's a start, the season finale picked up 6 million viewers which is great. But in light of all of this drama, whatever choice is made, the overall production will be stressed [most productions are, I'm sure]. However, I can tell you now from experience in keeping myself to deadlines and working off advice given to me from other produced screenwriters, that all of this is an insane undertaking for one man. It's your move Mr. Darabont.

Thoughts? Questions?