Recap #1

• What makes a good show
• What makes a bad show
• Tools to ensure we don't write a bad show

Good show

• Storyline
• Humour
• Running jokes
• Songs
• Choreography
• Originality
• Large cast
• Themes
• Clear
• Understandable
• Memorable
• Unique
• Set
• Variety of ideas
• Characters suited for younger cast

• Relatable
• Family friendly
• Give everyone a part
• Good tech
• Interesting changes between scenes
• Characters that show emotion
• Songs that show emotion
• Simple and catchy songs

Bad show

• Poor ending
• Outdated jokes
• Too many puns
• Jokes that aren't understood by everyone
  • Too many Scout jokes
• Bad storyline
• Too much similarity between songs and sketches
• Boring set
• Boring characters
• Non-catchy songs that don't relate to the storyline
• Songs that aren't catchy
• Cliffhanger ending without resolution
   

Tools for a good show #1

• Big range of jokes
• More visual gags
• Use simple words
• Look at what has worked in the past
• Avoid going "too far" with the storyline (and making it inaccessible)
• Being open to change
• Write realistic characters with strong traits
• Write likeable characters
• Write characters we like to dislike
• Avoid having a small core cast
• Have a clear plot before we start writing
• Write a show for kids - e.g. using the narrator worked well
• Jokes that can be changed based on audience

Tools for a good show #2

• Plot starts in act 1
• No filler at the beginning
• Having good villains
• Make sure the storyline doesn't get lost
• Ensure all sketches have a purpose
• Ensure all songs have a purpose
• Ensure the jokes don't offend parts of the audience

Related notes/opinions

• Zap Lightning was a great villain
• Bad guys stay bad - everybody being friends at the end
• School is overdone
• Too many references to old shows alienates some audience
• We like unpredictable endings
• Have a good strong theme with an underlying message
• Scenes that aren't relevant to the main storyline - move vs less, opinions varied :-)

Recap #2

• Other creativity that we like

Music

• A cappella/Pop
• Alternative/Experimental
• Alternative/Pop
• Alternative/Rock
• Children's Music
• Classical
• Comedy/Indie
• Comedy/Parody
• Dance/Pop
• Indie
• Indie/Rock
• Jazz
• J-Pop
• K-pop

• Latin/Pop
• Musical Theater/Pop
• Pop
• Pop/Country
• Pop/Disco
• Pop/Rap
• Pop/R&B
• Pop/Rock
• Rap/Hip-Hop
• R&B/Pop
• Rock
• Soundtrack
• Soundtrack/Pop

TV - genres

• Action/Adventure
• Comedy
• Animated
• Drama
• Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Reality TV
• Crime/Mystery
• Sitcom
• Anime
   

TV - settings/themes

• Supernatural/superhero world
• Animated/cartoon settings
• Sci-fi/Futuristic worlds
• Fantasy worlds
• Real-world settings
  • Historic (period dramas)
  • Workplace settings
  • Sitcom settings
• Mystery/thriller settings
• Children's shows
• Animated sitcom settings

• Animated sitcom settings
• Reality TV competition settings
• Anime settings
• Live-action superhero settings
• Game show settings
• Animation/live-action hybrid settings
• Adventure settings

Musicals

• Many based on pre-existing material (e.g. a book)
• Lots of comedy
• Many explore themes of self-discovery, identity, or empowerment
• Many are fantastical or surreal
• Many feature popular or well-known songs
• Some reference pop culture or well-known movies or TV shows

Movies

• Many based on stage musicals
• Many based around music
• Lots of comedy
• Many have lighthearted themes
• Some explore themes of self-discovery, identity, or empowerment
• Many have fantasy or magical elements

Recap #4

• Storyline types
• bit.ly/cst24storylines

Overcoming the monster

• Superheros
• Lego Movie
• Brave

Rags to riches

• Aladdin
• Cinderella
• Ratatouille

The quest

• Lord of the Rings
• Star Trek

Voyage and return

• Alice in Wonderland
• The Hobbit
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
• Peter Pan

Comedy

(not what you think...)

• Pride and Prejudice
• The Princess Bride
• Tangled (ish)
• Frozen (ish)

Tragedy

• Romeo and Juliet
• Hamilton

 Rebirth

• The Lion King
• The Grinch
• Captain Marvel (ish)

Mystery

• Sherlock Holmes
• Crime TV shows

Rebellion Against "The One"

• The Matrix
• Indiana Jones (ish)