Sample Script

The idea of experimenting with how 'The Office' would work in Northern Ireland, lead me to try something different with one of the early episodes. Using 'Diversity Day' (Episode Two of Season One) as a solid example, I went through the script and picked one of my favourite scenes, not only for its comedic value but also for the starting to learn more about these characters; and in doing so, I changed around some of the writing to help it fit more with the attitude and religions of Northern Ireland.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY - DAY ONE

Michael is passing around a basket full of index cards.

MICHAEL

Okay. Things have been a little slow to catch fire, I'm not blaming anyone but I mean if you had of asked Cian here to help with the 11th July, he would've been faster burning his own flag than you guys were at exactly understanding my methods.

Cian raises his eyebrow and glares at Michael.

Eoghan draws "WELSH" and puts it on his forehead. Aine draws "PROTESTANT" and Elizabeth draws "CATHOLIC". Mark draws "JEHOVAH'S WITNESS". Michael places a card on his own card: "THE QUEEN"

MICHAEL

The British Constitution has always been puzzling and always will be.

MICHAEL TALKING HEAD:

MICHAEL

(wearing "The Queen" index card)

Why? Because the Queen literally rules the World. And yes, she doesn't exactly swing the Catholic way, but that little wave of hers, gets her out of controversial trouble all the time.

Michael imitates the Queen's wave to the camera as he pretends to drink tea, with his pinky pointed up.

MICHAEL
(in a posh English accent)

Oh deary me, those Northern Ireland ones need me to come save them. Have they never heard that tea cures the soul?

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY - DAY ONE

Michael pushes Aine ("PROTESTANT") and Elizabeth ("CATHOLIC") together.

MICHAEL

Is it Halloween yet? Because these sparklers are about to fly!

Aine and Elizabeth begin a forced conversation.

AINE

Erm, hi. How're you?

ELIZABETH

Good. You?

AINE

Fine. I like how we get an extra holiday each year.

ELIZABETH

I like that we're cheaper than Euros.

AINE
I like how confident you are walking around Belfast with ash on your forehead all day.

ELIZABETH
I like how, er... you keep us warm, you know, when we get cold in July.

Both take the index cards off their heads, Michael runs over to them, disappointed.

MICHAEL

No! You weren't meant to take them off!

AINE

Michael really? I mean, how many religions can you give us? 

ELIZABETH

You know where we live don't you?

MICHAEL

Yes of course I do. But look what I gave Eoghan!

AINE

Welsh is not a religion.

MICHAEL

Depends on the way you look at it.

ELIZABETH 

Welsh is a language, as is a person from Wales.

MICHAEL

Yeah but those Welsh are a little weird with their sheep shag-

AINE

Michael, they don't do that!

MICHAEL

How do you know that?

ELIZABETH

Everyone knows it's a myth, it has been for centuries.

MICHAEL

Exactly, myths. Myths originated from religious times. Boom. Therefore it's a religion.

AINE

No it's really not-

Elizabeth puts her hand on Michael shoulder.

ELIZABETH

You know, I would love you to play the game with Eoghan, just so you can explain it to him.

MICHAEL

Well I'm sure as hell not having you two butcher the game again.

Elizabeth and Aine shake their heads as they leave the conference room but eagerly sit to listen to Michael's conversation with Eoghan.

END OF SCENE.

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.

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.