Question...

[DynastyMan2001]

Hey, a cousin and mine are working on a tv show and since I came up with the premise and it's basically a primetime soap, I wanted to ask you guys what would you think.

It is like a cross between Dynasty, Melrose Place, The Real World and A Different World. It has a college background (something that I haven't seen done) and will take place all in one dorm, Clement Hall. The main characters will not all know each other personally, but will know OF each other. I don't want to give too much info away cause of copyrigtht reasons, so what do you all think?

[abbylexis]

Like a previous member said, Primetime soaps don't do too well with teenagers and college students because, the sex has to be restricted, you can't have business plots and Greed can't be a factor and it can't attract a wide range of audience.

The good thing is that it would probably been a hit on the WB.

Another trivia, Melrose Place was originally going to be a show about college students. but they realized that the 90210 characters would eventually go to college.

"I ain't black, I ain't white, I little Ms in between"
Hally Berry in Queens (1993)

[DynastyMan2001]

That's the thing though, this is NOT a WB teen show. I pray no one think it is. This isn't Beverly Hills, 90210 at all and it sure isn't Dawson's Creek. There will be adult characters who will also be main characters. My show is about the faculty and residents of Clement Hall, and how they entertwine (sp?) with each other. And I will use all of the dark sides of college life to replace the things that made the 80's soaps popular. Sports/student office=business, blackmail/special treatment of athletes=greed, and we all know that sex is heavily involved in college. And as the years grow by, the main characters will take up adult roles at the dorm/university ala "A Different World".

[JAY_1979]

Where can I find this new thing you are working on?

[abbylexis]

another advice, try to diversify the cast. too many shows focusing on teens and young adults have little diversity.

"I ain't black, I ain't white, I little Ms in between"
Hally Berry in Queens (1993)

[abbylexis]

I remember when Mad TV, a satirical show made fun of the teen show concepts. They had a segment called "Pretty White Kids with Problems" , then one of the black comedian stood at the corner of every scene of the segment and said nothing...it was really funny but that pretty much explained the concept of teen-age drama.

DynastyMan 2001, I know my ideas won't be considered but I'll give it to you anyway.

Don't start the soap as a soap. Start it nice and soft with everyone getting along, as the show moves on during the season start introducing darker villain characters.

Try to get big stars, not as original characters, but as back-ups in case the show goes downhill. it worked in Dynasty and Melrose Place.

and one last thing, always make sure to have a good bitch. don't make her one of the students. Make her one of the faculty who has an steamy affair with her student.

oops, I am getting carried away with this.

Good Luck, and I'll definetely watch the first couple of episodes....

"I ain't black, I ain't white, I little Ms in between"
Hally Berry in Queens (1993)

[DynastyMan2001]

Abbylexis, your way ahead of me. Have you been reading my notes somewhere? LOL. But I am black and my characters ARE Diversified. Plus everything you have said I have done. I read the post of how Melrose Place became so damn good and I tape Melrose everyday and I study it. I am starting it off as a standalone episodic first season. Little storylines will carry over, because you can't get financial aid and roommate problems solved in one episode. About the villian...I have worked soooooo hard on this. I don't want to bring in someone else to be the villian in season two. I want one of the original main characters to turn evil. As for the big star front...OH MAN!!!! I HAVE A ROLE FOF THE QUEEN HERSELF!!!!!! AND ONLY FOR HER!!!! She will be a main cast member and will be the total opposite of her past infamous/famous character. I want to get this off the ground but it might take years...God I hope not.

[abbylexis]

good luck with the projects and keep dropping us hints

"I ain't black, I ain't white, I little Ms in between"
Hally Berry in Queens (1993)

Being a black guy myself, I HATE to see those shows where its all black people or none at all. Especially the ones with all black people. Its so unrealistic its not even funny. Another thing, don't write stereotypes. If you are gonna have a female black character, don't name her Rhonda, and make her some eccentric, earth loving black stereotype. If a black and white person date don't make it about race. Never make it about race I say. If thats the best someone can come up with them they suck! http://www.soapchat.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Your show however sounds very good. I suggest you rent The Rules Of Attraction. Its probably the best, and most accurate movie about college life. Make sure your show is realistic like that. http://www.soapchat.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Good luck on you show, and I will be watching! http://images.bravenet.com/brpics/smilie/wave1.gif

[DynastyMan2001]

Thank you all who replied, I am just a college student now but I will keep working on this till I get it on screen.

Quick trivia: One of the creators on The O.C. is just 26. The youngest producer/creator in televison history!

Is it going to be something like Boston Public?

[DynastyMan2001]

Naw, it will focus more on the students and two faculty members, but it won't be your average "teen soap".