TV Writer Podcast Episode 3 – Ian Stokes (Warehouse 13)
Continuing our series on the crossover between SyFy’s hit shows Warehouse 13 and Eureka, this week Gray talks to the writer of the crossover episode on the Warehouse 13 side, Ian Stokes. Click image to play video; more details are below.
So far we’ve heard from two showrunners… this time, we have the privilege to hear a very fresh breaking in story, as Ian has very recently made the jump from assistant to full staff writer.
You’re sure to love Ian’s story, how he went from being a P.A. for Robert Zemeckis to being a staff writer on SyFy’s #1 show, in only four years!
He also shares some interesting perspectives about working in development at SyFy Network before getting the job on Warehouse 13, and also some valuable and practical tips to writers trying to break in to television writing.
Subscribe to the audio-only version of our podcasts via Podbean.com or iTunes with keyword ‘Scriptmag.’
Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide.
7 Comments
I loved the interview with Ian — of course, he’s my son (so please accept these kudos as a bit biased!). The most important advice for aspiring writers is to ignore your parents advice to \study more and watch TV less…\. Ian never listened us — he always marched to his own drummer — and we’re now we’re proud of his achievements!
Keep up the good work, Ian!
It was a nice interview. But the answers reflected the shallow attitude of syfy writers, no consistency and often lacking in imagination.
Forgot my touk. Have you ever tried to read that Final Draft Program?
In the time wasted learning the program you could have developed
20 new ideas for pilots, eh? Most of them better than what is showing
on Sci-fi now.
I recently read comments in the Toronto newspaper about the Death
Penalty carried out in Virginia, involving a women with a very low
IQ. They were brutal. I was disappointed that Canadians have become
as unimaginative as Americans. I grew up on the border, doing business
with the Canadian Govt and thought there was hope up there.
Nope, just more actors, no hope.
What your doing is so desperately needed. Thank you so much.
A tip from an editor, On future pod casts edit out the interviewers “uhuh’s”, and “ummms” and keep the image of the person being interviewed up on the screen . When you keep cutting just to see the interviewer nodding or voicing acknowledgment, it throws off the flow of the interview. A hint: edit out all unessential sounds, voice or otherwise, and just stream his answers. The only time you should cut to the interviewer is if he expounds on the answer or submits another question.
For what its worth.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks everyone for your comments!
Tommy, I’m actually a professional TV editor, so I completely understand where you’re coming from. However, you have to understand that I’m not an employee of Script Magazine, and I don’t get paid for this podcast– as a matter of fact, the costs come entirely out of my pocket. Time is also an issue — I work as much as 100 hours/week or more in my day job, and must squeeze the podcast in between taking care of my family and sleeping every once in a while.
As such, the only way I can afford to produce the podcast, from both a time and money perspective, is to do very minimal editing.
Also, my other podcast, Chuck vs. the Podcast for NBC’s Chuck, has been voted the #1 TV-themed podcast in the world every month for the last 2 years. With over 75 interviews so far, I have received hundreds of emails and comments about what people want to see, and the majority of them appreciate some kind of interviewer response. Especially since the interviewees are most often not recorded with live video, cutting to my questions and reactions is the only movement on screen, and the majority of viewers report that this keeps it interesting for them.
That said, your concerns are noted, and I will do my best to incorporate your feedback as editing time allows.
Thanks,
Gray.
You know there is also a frraems market in Marcus Garvey Park. Been waiting on you to publicize that one also. Please do me that favor going forward and give East Harlem some love too!
unYV14 fhvuzppxmway
zAAQ2D kppytfycdcvw