The Art of Turning Spoken Transcripts into High-Quality Articles
Summary
In this article, we delve into the world of professional writing and explore the art of transforming spoken transcripts into high-quality articles. We learn about the unique writer’s rooms on four different shows and how they focus on breaking stories for individual episodes. The article also covers the speaker’s influences, including various TV shows and movies, and how they have been influenced by Larry Gelbart’s work on M*A*S*H. Additionally, we discover the speaker’s advice on writing villain characters and the importance of being a diagnostician when watching movies and TV shows.
Table of Contents
- The Unique Writer’s Rooms
- The Speaker’s Influences
- Writing Villain Characters
- The Importance of Being a Diagnostician
- Striving to Improve
The Unique Writer’s Rooms
The speaker has worked on four different shows and notes that each writer’s room is unique. They all focus on breaking stories for individual episodes, and the process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The speaker emphasises the importance of collaboration in the writer’s room and how everyone works together to make the story the best it can be.
The Speaker’s Influences
The speaker has been influenced by various TV shows and movies, including Breaking Bad and Northern Exposure. However, the biggest influence on their writing has been Larry Gelbart’s work on the TV series M*A*S*H. The speaker admires Gelbart’s ability to balance comedy and drama and create multi-dimensional characters.
Writing Villain Characters
When it comes to writing villain characters, the speaker advises writers to empathise with them and find something relatable about them. This can help create a more well-rounded and interesting character. The speaker notes that villains often believe they are doing the right thing, even if their actions are morally questionable. By understanding their motivations, writers can create more complex and compelling villains.
The Importance of Being a Diagnostician
As a professional writer, it is important to be a diagnostician when watching movies or TV shows. Rather than simply making jokes or saying something “sucks,” take the time to analyze what went wrong or what made a particular scene or moment successful. Consider aspects such as camera work, joke setup, score, and more. This attention to detail can help improve your own writing.
Striving to Improve
The speaker believes that talent, practice, and a willingness to learn are essential to being a successful writer. It is important to always strive to improve, whether it’s by taking a writing class or reading books on the craft. Additionally, the speaker encourages writers to not be afraid to make jokes or express their opinions, but also take the time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t.
Conclusion
In conclusion, turning spoken transcripts into high-quality articles is an art form that requires collaboration, empathy, and attention to detail. By being influenced by great TV shows and movies, understanding the motivations of villain characters, and striving to improve, writers can create compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
