Could The Office Work In Belfast?

With The Office already being a successful British import to the States; hypothetically speaking, what changes would we have to make if we wanted to bring it back to the UK and have it set in Belfast.

Location is key. Of course we can't have a Northern Irish office in the middle of America for example. Number one, it wouldn't make sense having it in a completely different country. And number two, it would work out very expensive to shoot. In the actual office, you could find something very similar, because this type of environment is universal, being one of the reasons so many watch, they can relate to it.

The writing style. As much as the Michael Scott version is praised, most of the Americanisms simply wouldn't work here, even though we can understand them. And even the David Brent era, some slang and even mannerisms would change because Cockney for example, we sometimes notice and understand it but put it with our accent and how we live in the world, it wouldn't make sense to a Belfast audience. I'm not talking about turning this into a multi camera type of show for a Northern Irish audience to get it but we're not so used to seeing our actors, in comedies, on a single camera. We're used to the studio audience, the multi camera set up and the addition of politics thrown in there every once in a while.

Political views. While every country and sometimes every city or state has their own stand point; there's no denying that Nothern Ireland has their own, pulling in a numbet of different directions. Without giving away your opinion of this recent topic, you could write an entire episode of how the Office's flag gets taken down or metaphorically, the signature sign of the company is vandalized and taken down. Not many could make an episode out of something so simple but because of the different views surrounding this topic, people here will understand, relate and find the situation funny.

Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling.

(Found online, not owned by myself)

The Office (UK and US) Comparison.

"The Office" is unarguably one of the best imports from the UK to the United States. Not only was the British version itself interesting to the American audience but it was then transformed to adapt even more to that targeted audience. With the British original only having fourteen episodes, Greg Daniels brought a new life and understandably, a new stylistic look to the show and it has now lasted nine seasons with the ninth season finishing in mid 2013, being its last. The US version stuck to the same effect that the British had, which was the mockumentary style, that took off suddenly shortly after "The Office" had begun. (It should be noted that as of Season Nine, the fourth wall between the documenters and the character has slowly been broken, adding a sense of mystery and excitement for the audience because it has become a small storyline in itself by doing this).

Both the shows focus quite heavily (but not overall) on the actions of the managers, David Brent (UK) and Michael Scott (US). As mentioned earlier, The UK version of the show didn't last as long as the American version so comparisons between certain areas will vary. Michael Scott started off as a very awkward, annoying character who was never really aware of self-awareness. However, as the series grew, so did the character; he became loveable by most of the audience, you started to understand his mannerisms and even wanted to defend his actions despite him not deserving it most of the time. David Brent on the other hand, never truly got a chance to grow so we always see him as a hugely arrogant character who is hard to relate to, yet we still find humorous, possibly because his actions and sarcasm is something we all wanted to do, but never had the guts to do.  

The supporting cast on both versions work out quite differently. David Brent's team relied on him for reactions before anything happened whereas Michael Scott's team were able to have story lines not connected with him and still be just as strong, if not stronger, than if Michael had become involved. Of course, Michael almost always had a connection with the story, not hugely, but enough to not be completely discredited. For example, the Jim and Pam storyline that expanded over a number of seasons, Jim told Michael that he liked Pam and he is quoting in saying "Never ever, ever, give up". This line has undoubtedly became one of Michael's memorable lines from the show. He was also a part of spilling to the entire office that Jim actually liked Pam; but as for the whole storyline starting from the flirting in Season One, the looks, that kiss, Jim leaving Scranton for a few months and then the eventual build of their romantic relationship, Michael didn't have a large part to play regarding that aspect.

Pilot Episode of Community.

The start of the episode starts off with the Dean of Greendale giving a speech about what people think community college really is. "Loser College for Remedial Teens",  "Twenty Something Drop-Outs", "Middle Aged Divorcees" and "Old People Keeping Their Minds Active As They Circle The Drain of Eternity". As these statements are read out, we're given shots of a number of the characters that are then introduced as the study group later on in the episode. From the very start, we're shown a glimpse of who these people are, in just one sentence. Of course, once we watch more and we learn about them, we see that they are more than just remedial teens or twenty something drop outs, but those first shots and their reactions give us a first introduction to who they could possibly be.

Abed Nadir is one of the first main characters to speak, and he has quite a lengthy introduction speech to Jeff, another main character, to deliver, so because he wasn't put of the opening shots like some of the rest of the group, this gives us a lot more of an character insight to who Abed is. 

Two minutes into the episode we find out about Jeff Winger and why he is at Community College. He's in his thirties, he was a very successful lawyer, but he lied his way through and now he's been told that he has to get a real degree before he can be a real lawyer again. Again, he wasn't in the opening reaction shots so we get a slightly more in-depth look to his character because of this. Within this scene with Professor Duncan, we automatically see Jeff's sarcasm, charm and certain lawyer aspects come to life while trying to cheat his way through community college within days of starting. 

After the opening credits, we get a shot of Pierce Hawthorne who was the "Old People" reaction shot, struggling to know what to do with a hot dog and its bun. It's visibly noticeable that he is one of the older characters but this doesn't really tell us much about him. Jeff's 'charm' takes a hit when Britta Perry, Twenty Something Drop Outs reaction shot, practically shoos his advances away, and based on his reaction, it's not something that he is used to. As we have already established, Jeff Winger is a very good liar, he tells Britta that he has started a study group which then shows her not being so defensive towards him. The show is very much based on pop culture references, so when he tries to subtly explain what has just happened to a cafeteria lady, he says that he was brought up on TV noting that he thought any "black woman over fifty was a cosmic mentor", explaining why he drifted off on a small  tangent. 

We learn more about Britta when she decides to open up to Jeff as she arrives to the first study group meeting, a group that doesn't even exist at this point. She tells him what she has done before joining the college and how she just likes honesty, and even the circumstances of what lie Jeff has just told her, he looks uncomfortable at first. He tells her he'll pretty much say whatever he wants to get whatever he wants, she finds that statement honest so she builds her walls down a little lower, that we know of.

Abed makes a reference to the Breakfast Club and throughout not only each episode, but throughout each season, you will learn that the show is heavily based on these pop culture references but they make the best of them instead of just throwing them in because "they can". Jeff uses his lawyer talking skills to talk Professor Duncan around once again to get the answers for his for all of his exams, despite the Professor looking and feeling uncomfortable about it. however, because of Jeff's history of having to talk his way out of things, we can see that it comes naturally to him now. 

Coming back from talking to Prof. Duncan, Jeff heads back to the study room to find four new faces that he has never made before. As they speak, we find out a little more about their personalities. Pierce who simply asks if he's the certified tutor, Troy Barnes (who was the remedial teen in the Dean's speech reaction shot) asks him if he's going to do his homework in a very stereotypical in film, "black" attitude way as well as referencing Ryan Seacrest who Jeff looks similar to. Shirley Bennett, who was placed in the divorcee reaction shot states that she'll need to be home by ten or she has to get a baby sitter. Lastly there's Annie Edison who wasn't featured in the shots and hasn't been introduced to the audience until now, asks what sort of board certifies a tutor, showing that she is on the ball and giving the first impression that she is a perfect and organized student. Troy then makes another stereotypical remark as well as another reference to a film, "I'm gonna leave my homework with Slumdog Millionaire" (Abed is half Arabic and so would possibly be type cast as that type of person from the movie). 

As Jeff is about to leave the group and leave school altogether for the day he sees Britta and you get the impression that she can tell what he's up to. She even finishes some of his sentences, and that makes us think is she two steps in front of the ex-lawyer that seems to be using his charm to get what he wants whenever he wants. The group are gathered around the table and Jeff wants to try and twist the group so much that they eventually fall apart and this starts with Annie telling Shirley off because she thinks she's being treated like a child. This shows the audience that Annie has something to hide because she has put up such a wall and wants to be treated like an adult. At the same time, Shirley shows a lot more anger towards Annie that you would first assume. Annie and Troy bump heads when he figures out that she was the "pill popper" that had to leave his school to get help for her addiction, this helps the audience understand a little more about Annie as the episode goes on. As the group are all fighting, Abed looks very uncomfortable and bursts out into a short monologue from "The Breakfast Club" again, showing that the show is very heavily using references from film and television and putting them into different scenarios. 

As we get halfway through the episode, we have learned quite a lot about each character. Enough to be satisfied and not to be overwhelmed, and enough to understand what each of them are going through at that particular time when Jeff stirs their emotions with each other.  Towards the end of the episode we see the characters come outside, one by one, talking to Jeff and them each opening up a little more. This gives us more insight into why they reacted so hastily to one another in the study room. Jeff lets his guard down when Britta hints to him that he has all the answers, so why was he still hanging around. He tells the group that he doesn't have any of the answers after all and he's just going to flunk the test. As the group feel sorry for Jeff, they decide to head back upstairs to the study room. Britta was the least inclined to do so but the impression the audience have been given is that his charms have once again worked their way around the group.

Community Insight Introduction.

Community to me, has become something that I talk about in every day life. Not only because it's not your average sitcom but because it's always interesting to try and explain to people who have no idea how it works. You watch a Halloween episode for example, it's not going to be an ordinary Halloween storyline, it's going to have you sitting there the entire time thinking one thing, "What is this?". It doesn't matter whether or not you're looking at it from a positive or negative outlook, it's making you question the show and why they decided to do something more flamboyant than other shows like Two and a Half Men or The Office. While The Office is one of my all time favourite shows, it's a good comparison to show a "normal" show against Community, from the start known for its not-so-normal traditions.

I'm covering the pilot episode in this post to talk about how the writing aspects of not just the episode but the characters and the stories that are about to start. However, Community is known for a number of its episodes that are mindblowing when it comes to television itself. For example, Season One had the shows first paint ball episode called "Modern Warfare". Directed by Justin Lin, who has also directed a number of the Fast and Furious franchise, he put an explosive twist on the episode that made the world of television look twice. Community, known for its subtle comedy, was turned into an action movie with essentially a pastiche of well known movies including "28 Days Later", "The Matrix", "Die Hard" and "Battle Royale". 

Community is a single camera situation comedy that follows seven students at Greendale Community College who all become part of a study group. The group is very mixed; gender, race and personality wise; and this is one of the many twists that gives the show a slight edge above the rest. As well as an eccentric Dean, a less than informative Spanish teacher and an posh English councillor; there's not one dull character within the cast.

In my personal experience having written the first few pages of pilots, writing the first episode of any type of show is challenging. You don't want to give too much away about the characters and have the audience feel like it's overwhelming but you don't want to alienate your audience either, by telling them absolutely nothing about any of the characters. That could lead them to think, "Why should I continue to watch this? Are they going to drag this out for as long as possible?" It's a hard balance to strike but when you get it right, the flow with the storyline and everything else come together so much more quickly, not at rocket speed, just a slow gradual smooth pace. 

Friday's "Fresh" E3 Diary.

Friday

Friday went a lot faster than I thought; we were told around one hundred people started at the start of the week and although I didn't count every single person there on the Friday, I'd say there were between twenty and twenty five. This week had been, in my personal opinion, been a failure all around. Our presentations went well; our group and two others, had one of the teachers and a student from the centre come to watch our presentations and they seemed to go over well. 
Before we left E3, we were given an evaluation sheet which I was very happy to sit and write about what I thought. However, I didn't want to be there all day so I tried to write my criticism as fast as I could.

Thursday's "Fresh" E3 Diary.

Thursday

Today was the first day we done something productive. Each group had to borrow laptops and start on our Power Point presentation for the clients on Friday. I started on the presentation because I was itching to do something that didn't involve more "inspire boards" while the other girls in the group started doing life size drawings of the jacket and cap for our "School Uniform" brief. 

While doing the presentation, we quickly went over the jacket features and threw out more ideas, just to make it more realistic and easier for the client to see our point of view. I didn't feel comfortable going to the principal of the school and saying that we think it would be a good idea to have a full heating system in each coat so instead of a hot water bottle type heating, we decided to make the lining of the coat, cotton. This would be a much cheaper alternative and it would make the jacket much lighter in weight.

The only thing frustrating about today were the "zone leaders" telling us that we didn't have a lot of time to prepare these presentations and we couldn't sit around and do nothing, we just had to get on with it. Bearing in mind that we had spend three and a half days writing on Post-It notes, looking at inspire boards, moving from brief to brief and getting put in different groups because the number in people kept dropping so they needed to even us out to other briefs that we hadn't been put in at the start of the week. 

Wednesday's "Fresh" E3 Diary.

Wednesday

The numbers in people had slowly start to decrease throughout the week and throughout the week. We got moved around the tables a few more times, even if we only had been sitting there for five minutes. It was a very unorganized day and even the zone leaders didn't know what they were doing. 

We had to go around everyone's tables and find out their four main points then choose the concept we liked the most so they themselves could expand on it. After lunch, it was clear that most people had left the event, so the leaders gave us an activity to do. We had to create the biggest free standing tower using scissors, sello tape and paper only. We were given fifteen minutes and this was meant to build on our team skills and communication too.

Tuesday's "Fresh" E3 Diary.

Tuesday

We continued on with our currents groups today with one absent from ours. We added more post-it ideas to our wall for the first hour then we did a similar "swapping" that we had done on Monday. Two people from the group got moved to a different group and the people who didn't move from the table, had to explain to the new people what their brief was about and what ideas they had came up with so far. Our groups went around three tables including our own and added ideas to each, so we could have other people's thoughts and creativity adding onto our own ideas. A few group activities were included in the day with a ball sequence where you had to remember who threw the ball to you and who you were throwing it to. This was to help us with our memory but also to remember the sequence so we could speed it up more each time the balls were being thrown to us.

Monday's "Fresh" E3 Diary.

Monday

The day started off with everyone sitting in groups of four and five and came up with ideas for a children's toy. Each group had a white board and we had to use as many post-it notes as possible and make sure we had a wide range of ideas. Two people in each group got moved to a different group so the people that remained in the groups had to tell the new people their ideas and help them expand. The people who hadn't moved the first time, moved to the table that the rest of their group was now on, and they had to be caught up, using the information the previous group had given them.

Before lunch, we were put in proper groups so that we were all mixed up and not just with people from our original class. We were given a brief from a client and looked over it while preparing questions that we could ask. The client came in after lunch, they explained their business, the history behind it, what they wanted from us and gave us the opportunity to ask any more questions we had.

We sat with our "Inspire" boards that we stuck our post it notes to with any ideas that sprung to mind. For example; advertising, social networking, sponsorships and events, and expanded on those further. While all this was going on, we participated in "Zone" events with our leader. We had to make name badges for each other and learned a little more about each other too. 

Introduction to the "Fresh" E3 Diary.

Over the next five days, I will documenting my experience with "Fresh" at our E3 building then at the end of the week, I will briefly talk what I found beneficial and my general overall thoughts of the week.

The Process Of Discovering My Writing Style

I have discovered that since coming back to college, I am more interested in getting into creating dramas and getting more involved in the script writing aspect. The show, "Breaking Bad" is a particular interest of mine because of the stereotype line it has broken. For example, Walter White plays a middle aged, middle class chemistry teacher, looking after his family and just going day-to-day earning a living. However, as he is diagnosed with cancer, he has to learn how to make more money, not only for his treatment but for the well being of his family, if he does pass away. For a man of this description, going into drug making and drug dealing isn't something you would ever think he would do. This breaks down the barrier of TV stereotypes and gives us a little insight into the thought provoking process of the writer when it comes to character development.

While the writing style of the show is a fascinating look on the way people see and think about drugs, from the inside and out; when it comes to my personal writing style, it's not a show that I could look to and say "I want to write something like that." The main reason for this is because right now I'm not sure what type of writer I would like to be.

Introduction

I'm Victoria Wilson and I'm currently studying an HND in Media Moving Image at Belfast Metropolitan College. 

I'm interested in a number of different career paths; having been a camera woman for a small number of college projects previously as well as being one of the camera operators on a friend's recent independent film, it's a career that I find very interesting because of it's challenges sometimes. However, you get to become part of the director's and writer's dream by bringing their storyboards and dialogue to life, on screen.

I have also been director for my own short drama two years ago, and in addition to director, I also acted as the main editor too. I was also the writer of the drama, as well as writing my own animation and directing that too. The role of being in charge of almost everything that happens on screen and off is more challenging because you have so many choices and opinions to take into consideration but I feel this will become a lot easier to handle because over the next two years. This is because teams for projects will become bigger and the decisions will lie to others, not just the director entirely, and there won't be as much pressure on you as before. 

Having tried out a number of different roles, inside and outside of the college, I'm not sure where exactly I want my career to head once I leave the college but hopefully within the next two years, I can find my forté and expand on that further. Whether that be go on to University or try and go straight into a job in the industry, I hope to explore my options while I'm here in Belfast Metropolitan College.