The Winning Vote said:
[X] [Length] Obviously this isn't a traditional show, but you could stretch the series for 22 episodes.
[X] [Showrunner]
Michael Schur - He's risen in fame thanks to his work in both
The Office and
Parks and Recreation. Most of his stories tend to have a humanistic and optimistic bent, despite them being funny as heck as well.
When you decided to once more make a 22 episode season you expected another fight.
Negotiation Roll: 111
This time there was hardly a whimper. By now they seem resigned to the fact that you don't ask for this things just for nothing, that you do have a plan in the works that will get them money in the end. It seems they trust you to deliver.
Either that or they are just waiting for you to fail so they can wrack you over the coals. Either way you're getting what you want.
Meeting your future show runner was another pleasant surprise. He'd been familiarizing with the Source Material (what little there was of it) and finds that most of the characters have characteristics which can be easily assimilated to the type of comedy he usually employs. He even mentions feeling like the characters should be familiar to him.
Huh, that's odd.
Well, Michael (is it just you, or do you know too many Michaels lately?) feels he can work with this; however before you start suggesting ideas he wants to make sure you're in the same page for the show.
First of all, the way he imagined the show (and how he usually begins his stories) is to begin with the entire institution already existing, and letting the viewer learn more about the setting and the characters as the show progresses. He envisions the Main Character filling the role as the audience surrogate.
This was news to you as you'd envisioned the series as introducing the character first, and then showing how they would form the company. In this way, the audience could see from the beginning the creation of the company itself.
You managed to reach an agreement quickly enough though.
[] [Series] You went with Michael's idea; Begin with Damage Control already established.
[] [Series] You went with your idea; Begin showing how Damage Control is created.
Then came what to do with the episodes. Your past experience has shown you that Serialized arcs have a great degree of success, not to mention storytelling potential. Michael however feels more comfortable with an episodic format, even if there are themes and connection between them.
You could always compromise and allow for a couple of "Mini-Arcs" for the season, allowing for a healthy number of one-off episodes as well.
[] [Form] It's basically a novel for television with 22 chapters released per year.
[] [Form] The season will have a self-contained arc but there's one-offs interspaced between plot-relevant episodes.
[] [Form] There's 2 "Mini-Arcs" per season but otherwise it's a bunch of one-off adventures.
[] [Form] It's entirely episodic. 22 one-off stories a year with no overarching plot.
The setting of the story is an important aspect as well. Damage Control is focused around reconstruction and rescue. Their appearance could have been as early as the
Iron Man films, or as late as
The Avengers upcoming movie...
if you can actually get a script!!!
[] [Set] Just after
Iron Man, when the consequences of Superhero fights are first displayed.
[] [Set] Just after
The Mighty Thor and the failed invasion by the Jotuns.
[] [Set] Just after
The Invincible Iron Man with the destruction and chaos caused by Vanko and his drones.
[] [Set] Just after
Wonder Man and the destruction caused by the battle between Simon, Scarecrow and the Living Laser.
[] [Set] Just after
The Avengers and the failed invasion of the Kree army.
John Porter,
Robin Chapel and
Albert Cleary, these are the three main guys that have to be a part of Damage Control to make it work. Whether their role remains as it was in the comics or changes somewhat that will depend on Michael. But for now you need to find out which of the remaining members will get as much treatment and Screen Time as the three mentioned above.
Which member will you be focusing on besides them?
(All these options will appear in the series; the ones selected will be in the center of the story. The rest will be "Retroactively Casted" in future seasons if they prove popular, or are expanded in story).
[] [Characters]
Anne Marie Hoag - The CEO and founder of Damage Control...you may want to change that name.
[] [Characters]
Bart Rozum - Intern at Damage Control. A bit of a goof, but well meaning. Has a huge crush on Anne.
[] [Characters]
Anne Rutgers - Receptionist at Damage Control. She may come up as a ditz which hides the competent and sarcastic mind behind her good looks.
[] [Characters]
Eugene "Gene" Strausser - Technician and a whiz at using machines and code. Absentminded and cheery, he would be a mad scientist had he not been hired.
[] [Characters]
Lenny Ballinger - Leader of Search-and-Rescue. He's a veteran in his line of work with a no-nonsense attitude.
[] [Characters]
Frank Johnson - A firefighter and member of the Search-and-rescue division. In the comics he would become
Monstro before joining. You could go with that later if you want.
[] [Characters]
Henry Ackerdson - The Head of Marketing, always with his head on crazy ideas to improve the company's image (and profits).
[] [Characters]
Someone Else: Write In
