-So you’ve written a film?
-Yes
-Tell me about it.
-You read it?
-I’d like you to tell me about it. The storyline, just in a few short sentences
-You didn’t read it then.
-My assistant sends me the top 10 scripts of the week. Frankly I don’t have enough time to read everything we are sent.
-Right
-It’s a lot.
-Of course.
-I did read your script.
-yes
-Well, I skimmed it. I skim everything.
-Great, what did you think?
-It’s a dissemination, an amalgamation of others’ thoughts. An interesting and intriguing start. Sort of falls flat at the end. You know what I mean?
-OK
-It’s a carbon copy. Sitcom meets tragi-com.
-Is that a good thing?
-It could be. Audiences will feel safe, but manipulated
-Yes
-They love being manipulated. Not too much, but enough that we can romance them.
-Of course. No one likes to feel like a cuckold.
-But they could also feel like we’re stagnating as a channel.
-Right.
-You know what I mean?
-Sort of.
-It’s just we wouldn’t want to show them a carbon copy, the same thing over and over again. You do understand? It’s too much. We need them to see that the world is different.
-Yes, I suppose.
-It’s not that your idea isn’t good, Michael.
-No
-Far from it.
-Yes
-No, in fact it’s really just the same. And we don’t really like seeing the same thing over and over again.
-What?
-We don’t want to tell the audience that they are not ready to see new, innovative programming
-No
-We want to take them on a journey.
-Yes
-So Michael. Really liking it so far.
-Yes Peter?
-I’d love to see some more of your work
-Yes
-It was lovely to meet with you
-Yes
-Just needs a bit more
-character?
-I was going to say content, but yes character is also good
-Character is also good.
-I’m really liking it, Michael. LUCY!
-Thank you so much for seeing me.
-No problem. I’m sorry but I’ve got to be hurrying on.
-Right yes
-Lucy!
-Yes.
-Lucy will show you out.
-Thank you
-Lots of appointments, you know how it is.
-Of course.
-Thank you. Michael. Thank you. Keep writing. You’re great. Ah, bye bye.
[Michael leaves with Lucy who has emerged. Peter sighs and picks up another script and reads.]
PHILIPPA MANNION 