Mark R. Gaebler

[Australis]

I came up with a post-VOY series idea, wrote a pilot, had a season one bible, and notes for two more seasons. It would have been great. Then I realised (after more research) that NO ONE at Paramount was going to read it, and I even had a way in then!

So I put it away and went and wrote something more original. IOW, get some runs on the board with your own stuff first, snd then they will seek you, As someone said above, file off the serial numbers and nameplates, add some stuff that ST wouldn't do (eg, a fleet-wide mutiny) and see what happens next.

 

[Mark R. Gaebler]

For those who are not familiar with film/TV jargon, a bible is a complete breakdown of a series scene by scene, episode by episode. In short, we have over 30 episodes in this form plus the pilot in script form, this is how TV shows are generally presented. Besides the bible, forgive the reference but that is what they are called, we have a timeline, cannon, remastered, ship designs, casting, characters, a complete history, and that just scratches the surface. If we could we would add some of these for you to see but it requires a URL and we are very cautious, despite our copyright, on what we reveal. I hope this is understandable to all of you, legal stuff you know.

 

[Michael]

^ You’ve made it this far. Now please look up what a “message board” is and how it works.

 

[HotRod]

cannon

It's canon, not cannon. I immediately can't take anyone seriously when they make that mistake. Unless of course you have an actual cannon?

 

[cooleddie74]

The only real cannon is the M109A6 Paladin SP howitzer. Want your story to reach? Strap it to an Excalibur extended range round and enjoy 40km of entertainment power.

 

[Mudd]

For those who are not familiar with film/TV jargon, a bible is a complete breakdown of a series scene by scene, episode by episode. In short, we have over 30 episodes in this form plus the pilot in script form, this is how TV shows are generally presented.

Actually, no. None of that is so as stated.

A series "bible" is usually a document prepared in-house by TV producers describing the premise, characters, setting and sometimes the overall idea and approach of a series. It's referenced by staff if necessary, but in the (rarer and rarer) instances where a show takes a good many pitches from freelancers it's provided to those writers coming in. It may include a brief description of types of stories they're actively seeking, or a memo with such guidance may be provided to a writer's agent along with the bible.

It doesn't include episode-by-episode descriptions, much less breakdowns, of scripts for an entire series. At least until recently, most shows develop scripts well into a season's preproduction period, sometimes into production, with rewrites occurring along the way. Quite often a show doesn't have scripts in hand for a complete season when they begin shooting, although assignments may have been let. I'm not certain that there's ever been a TV series that started out with every script for the entirety of its run plotted out, much less stuffed into a document used to pitch the show for sale to a studio.

What you're describing - "a complete breakdown" of a script or scripts, scene by scene, is usually referred to as breaking a story.

This is an older reference, but may be of some use to you in familiarizing yourself with the terms you're trying to use.

 

[Mark R. Gaebler]

It's a small point but fine, a complete breakdown, I don't see the problem, new or old, but the point is we have it and want Paramount to listen to it, that is the crux of it.

 

[XCV330]

I believe Paramount prefers unsolicited scripts to be delivered in-person, and in-costume at the studio itself, preferably while they are filming. That might improve your ability to be read, greatly. Many of the shot-callers there, as well as the reception staff are known to have tinnitus, so be sure to use very expressive hand gestures, speak with a firm, but not too loud, high pitched voice. Offer your hand to everyone to shake.

Also, please live-stream when and if you do this.

 

[cooleddie74]

Use an exaggerated Scottish accent when you speak. Stress the R's in each word.

 

[wayoung]

It's a small point but fine, a complete breakdown, I don't see the problem, new or old, but the point is we have it and want Paramount to listen to it, that is the crux of it.

What do you mean you want them to look at it? They already have looked at it, and it was so good they stole it! When are the lawyers getting involved?!?!

all they’ve recently done, Discovery, Picard, and Section 31 points directly to our series.

 

[Mark R. Gaebler]

No, they haven't seen what we have - it's the next step, they just don't know it yet.

 

[XCV330]

No, they haven't seen what we have - it's the next step, they just don't know it yet.

and don't listen to what @cooleddie74 is saying about the Scottish accent. He's trying to get you into trouble, as he knows very well the anti-pretend Scottish sentiment at Paramount these days. Try something mid-American. A Dan Rather, but a passionate Dan Rather. Imagine Dan Rather but a Dan Rather who has seen his lands despoiled and his people taken captive, and has one shot at restoring his fortunes, and that shot is the series bible printed out on good high bond (I hope!) paper from a quality laser printer in three ring binders. Also a somewhat amorous, Dan Rather. You have to make these people want you. Rumor is that Graham Yost spent 20 days in a tent outside Apple TV headquarters and lost his voice semi-permanently before they bought Silo from them.

 

[wayoung]

and don't listen to what @cooleddie74 is saying about the Scottish accent. He's trying to get you into trouble, as he knows very well the anti-pretend Scottish sentiment at Paramount these days. Try something mid-American. A Dan Rather, but a passionate Dan Rather. Imagine Dan Rather but a Dan Rather who has seen his lands despoiled and his people taken captive, and has one shot at restoring his fortunes, and that shot is the series bible printed out on good high bond (I hope!) paper from a quality laser printer in three ring binders. Also a somewhat amorous, Dan Rather. You have to make these people want you. Rumor is that Graham Yost spent 20 days in a tent outside Apple TV headquarters and lost his voice semi-permanently before they bought Silo from them.

Fuck, turn this post into a movie and I'd watch the shit out of it.

 

[Mark R. Gaebler]

Let's keep this simple and civil, okay? All we want is to spread the word that we have the next Star Trek - cannon - show that will link both the Cannon and the Burnum timelines, plus clear up the issue on one of the iconic species - the Gorn.

 

[Mudd]

It's a small point but fine, a complete breakdown, I don't see the problem, new or old, but the point is we have it and want Paramount to listen to it, that is the crux of it.

It is rather a fine point, but worth noting when you've undertaken to explain it "For those who are not familiar with film/TV jargon." It's one of many things in your posts that indicate you don't understand the context in which you're attempting this project.

Everyone has ideas. As you're an outsider to the industry, what is it about your proposal that might lead the people you're calling on for support here to believe a studio would invest a hundred million dollars (at least) in it?

You haven't said anything interesting about the project here yet - just that it's The Answer But No One Knows It.

"We're going to fix Gorn continuity" is not going to play as a particularly strong point to the kind of people you'd be pitching to if you somehow managed to get a meeting.

Experience and a track record in television production is not acquired by typing a great deal in isolation.*

*Yes, I can hear a rising whisper of "gatekeepers!" in the distance.

 

[Mark R. Gaebler]

Okay, here's something since we can't post images. The story involves Romulans, Klingons, humans, Gorn, and several other species, all having to survive together against several enemies, solve mysteries, and deal with both the past and an uncertain future. The kicker is they have to do it on a ship they have to keep from falling apart and they are at the mercy of the Q continuum and an enemy that has been around for 2 billion years and who just now has revealed its power by tearing the galaxy apart. This is what this throw-together crew of bitter enemies has to deal with while running for their lives. Does that give you a hint? This series even involves all the quadrants of the galaxy and the most mysterious of them all - the Guardian of Forever and what is called the 'Before War".

 

[Mudd]

Thank you.

 

[cooleddie74]

To be fair, it's still a better storyline than PIC Season 2.

 

[Mark R. Gaebler]

Here's a bit more, the ship they're trying to keep in one piece is made of Klingon, Romulan, and Federation parts, the kicker is the chief engineer is a Gorn, the chief technician is a Tholian, the captain is Romulan and the head of security is Herogin. More interesting now? Just wish we could post some of the images.

 

[wayoung]

I think the only way it could sound more fan fiction-y is if the main character was named Captain Mark R. Gaebler

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