PRE-PRODUCTION: Revised Idea - Feedback & Reflections

Since I spoke to Simon during the last tutorial, I had decided to revise my initial idea which was to undertake an existing novel and adapt it, and write an original series alternatively. After reading the book of regeneration, I decided that the ending was not what I had expected and didn't feel compelled to work from it. I then decided to write something original. I brainstormed ideas again and decided I still wanted to write a Drama, but I wanted it to be of a Crime/Thriller genre as these genres are what I am drawn to as a viewer. I came up with some basic characters and a setting, and wrote a beginning, middle and end in simple bullet points.

This morning I spoke to Simon about the plot I had derived for an original production as this is the route I have decided to take with my new project concept. I wanted some advice as to where to take it and how to develop on it as he has given me mixed feedback thus far. We had an extra meeting so I could be sure that I was on the right track so I could take the idea forward and work on it in more detail.
He said that the story was incredibly plot heavy with lots of stories within it, making it seem too melodramatic and soap like. He felt like focussing on one of them in particular would make it less overwhelming for the audience and allow them to focus on who the characters are rather than the events that are surrounding them. This was a decision I made because I felt like it needed the turning points to tell the story and resolve the obstacles along the way. I also had it in mind to think big as I wanted the events to sustain the length of a drama and have enough gripping moments throughout to provide moments of surprise and watchability. However, Simon highlighted that for a serious crime/thriller drama, this wouldn't be the case. He also suggested that I work out what I want the story to be about. Initially I said that it was about family with the main characters all losing family members and wanting to sought after and obtain the family they had lost. However, with there being too many other themes interlinking between, this makes it difficult to hone it down to one theme and focus for the entirety of the production.

Breaking Bad

Other advice he gave was to think about what the story was about and what the central themes are, as this will also aid me in the storytelling process and build a much stronger story.
I have also decided that the central themes to the series will be family/parenthood, sacrifice and potentially abduction or murder? Understanding what I would like the story to be about will enable me to think more clearly and rationally about the characters and the events that surround them.

Therefore, he suggested I focus on the main characters and work out exactly who they are and what their intentions are to understand how they would be feeling and why they would choose to make certain decisions. I think that the 3 main characters, being the mother and the twins will be my new starting point, and I am going to focus on building these characters in order to come up with a motive for each of them. In this way, the events in the story should link together and have reasons throughout rather than throwing in additional themes that may not be needed to resolve the story. He also suggested that I looked at 'Breaking Bad' as an example of good character development as the main character 'Walter White' is the main character in the series and carries the story with a particular goal and resolution at the end, and stepping stones along the way to achieve this. I will use this as a basis and think about how the leading factors in my production not only affect the characters but the story. I think I want to focus more on the character of the mother and maybe brain storm ideas around her, with and without the twins being the main focus for her. Originally, I based her on the character 'Megan' in 'The Girl on the Train' which I think is still viable and still would have prominence as I still view her as this character. However, I may change how she approaches the loss of her daughters and her actions as a result.