WRITERS' CHAT

ABIGAIL:
Dude! Let's get this party started.

ABIGAIL:
According to this here email from Andrew, he'd like us to talk about what projects got us started -- kicked off our careers as it were.

ABIGAIL
what are you writing a novel?

GRAHAM:
For me, it was a spec feature screenplay, which opened a lot of doors (but, as of yet, not the door that opened to the film actually getting made!) The script has been optioned three times, it got me an agent, and got me in the door to work on "Traders".

ABIGAIL:
Guess mine is similar: wrote a feature for my MFA thesis at UBC (in creative writing) and used it to get into the Canadian Film Centre. I think going to the Centre was the catapult in my career: through them I made a short film, was introduced to Michael and got an agent.

ABIGAIL:
Michael was looking for an "emerging" writer for the Godiva's story dept. and we totally hit it off.

GRAHAM:
Ah yes, The Centre.... has launched many a career, so I hear.

ABIGAIL:
'tis true.

ABIGAIL:
So this is my first show, but you've done like a zillion -- maybe we should move on to the story department experience.

ABIGAIL:
Is the Godiva's story dept. very different from other dept.s you've worked in?

GRAHAM:
The first season was, for sure. Doing only six episodes, meeting as a group for about 3 weeks, and then everyone went to their corners and came out writing. Usually all the writers are sequestered for months (as we were for season two, which was more the norm for me).

ABIGAIL:
What about the way we got together and broke the season/episodes as a team (in the "writing room"), is that unique?

GRAHAM:
Unique? No. I think the majority of series drama story departments operate that way. You have to when you're doing a series that's highly "serialized". Everyone needs to be included in the development and arcs of the characters. Just wouldn't work any other way. Would create a real train-wreck of mis-matched stories!

ABIGAIL:
I'm picking up what you're putting down. Personally, I wouldn't have been able to keep track of who was doing what (or who) without our meetings... and the board! *That* was an awesome idea of Michael's, don'tcha think?

GRAHAM:
Ah, yeah.... Michael's idea.... it was an inspired idea of his, don't ya think?

ABIGAIL:
totally. so anyway, i loved being in the room with you and Michael and Meredith and Julia -- even though it was totally exhausting -- and sometimes when I went off to write on my own I felt a little tossed into the wind (is that an expression?). Did you ever get like that?

GRAHAM:
Nope. Must be just you. You should see someone about that.

ABIGAIL:
well i'm in therapy... right now actually... my analyst is holding my hand as I type.

ABIGAIL:
it's a touch awkward.

ABIGAIL:
but not "bad touch" awkward

ABIGAIL:
she's very professional.

GRAHAM:
That's what every story department, is a hands-on therapist. Then again, that's what the other writers are for. NOT the hands-on part, but having to listen to each others' incredible life experiences (or boring), and then pilfering those experiences to use in our scripts!

GRAHAM:
I meant to say what every story department needs.... missed a word back there...

GRAHAM:
Actually, now that I remember it, there was a "hands on" moment in the season 2 story department.... when you repeatedly punched my arm because I said your new purple jumper made you look like "Barney".

ABIGAIL:
yeah! and then you cried and cried and wouldn't speak to me for like a week and Michael made me sit in the corner and Meredith tried to comfort you and you called her a name and slapped her hands away so *she* cried and then Michael made *you* sit in the corner with me so then I punched you again and... that was a bad week.

GRAHAM:
Yes. But good times.

ABIGAIL:
But i guess that's the thing about the story dept. that's so great and also so hard: to mine our personal experiences and then let them go 'cause man they make good story!

ABIGAIL:
it helps that we've all worked crap-jobs in restaurants.

GRAHAM:
Not that all of our stories are from personal experiences (thank God, considering some of the stuff coming up in season 2).

ABIGAIL:
oh yeah. let's make that abundantly clear! It's a fine line I guess: using personal experience as a jump off point but then using research etc. to make the story true to the character.

ABIGAIL:
and contemporary and compelling and blah blah...all that other stuff.

GRAHAM:
Well, I was a bartender in University (which was awesome, for various reason). Then one summer I got a job as a bus-boy and a waiter. Tough slog! But the bartender thing... that's the way to go.... for various reason.

ABIGAIL:
yesch poushie

GRAHAM:
I meant to say "various REASONS". Not just reason.

ABIGAIL:
shaken not stirred is most definitely the way to go.

GRAHAM:
It's actually spelled "Yesch, Poushie"!!

ABIGAIL:
all right already Mr. Unhealthy Attachment to James Bond!

GRAHAM:
And it must be said like Sean Connery, of course.

GRAHAM:
Tune in to episwode 5 to hear it said twice. Very exciting for me.

ABIGAIL:
Dude I was the worst waitress iin the world! I used to hide behind the bar. Seriously. Couldn't handle facing the customers some time.

ABIGAIL:
sometimes... I mean sometimes.

ABIGAIL:
Like if the kitchen was behind or I forgot an order (generally the latter) I would just hide. Wait them out. Eventually they'd crack and leave.

GRAHAM:
My first table as a waiter was a group of 12 women out for a quick lunch, and they all wanted separate checks. Very considerate of them.

ABIGAIL:
wicked!

ABIGAIL:
The seperate cheque is awesome! Especially if they then decide to split a bottle of wine!

GRAHAM:
I like your game plan.... just wait for the customers to give up!

ABIGAIL:
Yeah, worked a charm.

GRAHAM:
I think the ladies thought it was real cute to see me fumbling around with their orders. But it was simply pure hell.

ABIGAIL:
How old were you?

GRAHAM:
20. And I had to wear a bow tie!! HOT!

ABIGAIL:
Hot! Hot! *HOT*! You musta had them eating outta the palm of your hand.

ABIGAIL:
Did they stuff the tip in your gonch?

GRAHAM:
Yes. Hand.

ABIGAIL:
har-har

ABIGAIL:
You know we're talking about all this personal experience stuff, but truthfully I think that by the time it gets written and shot and aired it's so far from whatever the original inspiration was that it's not even recognizable -- know what I mean?

GRAHAM:
I sure hope so! And, the reality of it is, the majority of our stories came from our own messed up little imaginations... oh and some research here and there. (Give her another 10 minutes?)

GRAHAM:
Or call it done for now?

GRAHAM:
Allo?

ABIGAIL:
sorry. i'm back. gotta a call from a freakin' census that wouldn't get off the phone.

ABIGAIL:
I'd love to talk about the research and all the wierd little screwy things you can access on the internet, but I don't wanna be a spoiler for the stories to come... Guess we'll have to wait to talk about that.

GRAHAM:
Once some of them have aired, we could pull back the curtain....

ABIGAIL:
Sounds good. On that note whaddya think, Cleggor? Shall we sign off for now?

GRAHAM:
Yes Ma'am! Good chattin' with ya. And thanks for breaking in this here MSN Messenger virgin. You were great!

ABIGAIL:
It's true. I am. But glad to have been able to share a taste of my greatness with you, even for just a fleeting moment.