Here’s the pitch, as we presented it a few years ago:
STARCROSSED does for science fiction what The Larry Sanders Show did for late night talk shows and what Ricky Gervais has done to The Office. The show is a 30 Rock style comedy, that follows the weird and wonderful experience of bringing an earnest space soap called Starcrossed, to TV viewers around the world.
Starcrossed, the show within the show, has explored soap opera situations in galaxies far far away for over a decade. Despite being largely ignored by its network, it is adored by an international audience of millions of crazed (and crazy) fans. The series chronicles the thrilling life and otherworldly loves of Steed, a rugged, fast-talking, quick-witted sky jockey with a taste for adventure. Steed is billions of light years from home, on a grueling mission to rid the galaxy of evil aliens hell-bent on universal conquest. Complete with rubbery aliens, styrofoam planets, wobbly set pieces, temperamental space vehicles and erratic computers, Starcrossed weaves endlessly complex stories of love, betrayal and forbidden inter-species romance. And as in life, the drama begins long before and after the cameras roll.
Making Starcrossed is as much an adventure as the show itself, and is populated with many strange and unpredictable life forms of its own.
The actors of Starcrossed are a cross-section of sci-fi standards: from beautiful, down-to-earth, aliens to slow-witted “method” sky jockeys; highly-trained thespians to botoxed bimbos; preening narcis-sissies to balding neurotics. Behind the scenes we find an even more chaotic combination of characters. The bizarre sets of Starcrossed teem with another form of wildlife: the crew. Gorgeous, doe-eyed make-up and hair “artists” spend more time working on themselves than their actors. There are grumpy grips and zen-like electricians, beautiful, stoned, carpenters and sleep-deprived PAs struggling to wrangle wayward actors. The loony First Aid/Craft Service lady flings strange and suspect sandwiches about, while the camera department hazes yet another new recruit. The dazed DOP keeps wandering off in search of that perfect light, while the unintelligible AD rants, rages and tears his hair out.
The production office is the gravitational hub of the Starcrossed universe. Everything that happens onscreen has its genesis here, and orbits around the mad, bad and brave souls who keep Starcrossed somewhat on time, and always over budget. These are the real, and really weird, cubicle-dwellers who bring all of the out-of-this-world action down to earth.
No group is more eclectic, unpredictable, and vicious than the staff writers. While some keep their heads down in the hopes of flying below the network radar, others are more than ready to endlessly battle out the finer points of pointless science fiction and science fact. At the first sign of trouble the writing “team” dissolves into a politicking mass of breakdowns, temper tantrums and terror.
Guest stars from all realms and decades appear to play roles on the sci-fi soap, pay the rent, rant and rave, relive their glory days and generally make a nuisance of themselves. Alcoholics, boors, sociopaths and fresh young faces selling their souls for a shot at stardom, arrive weekly with their entourages of agents, managers, friends, family and vegan pet psychics.
Behind-the-scenes storylines and themes are interwoven with sci-fi action and out-takes from the space-soap itself. STARCROSSED is a best-of-both-worlds combination, a one-two punch of biting comedy and glorious sci-fi spectacle.
Welcome to the “reel” world of the alien-zapping, tongue-twisting, Hollywood-hustling universe of STARCROSSED!
I have spent a lot of time and energy trying to make Starcrossed my follow-up to A Dog's Breakfast
and Stargate Atlantis
. Unfortunately, all I find myself with is a number of scripts (a feature, a 1/2 hour pilot and a number of for-the-web episodes) and 2 and a half years of development hell! After developing Starcrossed as a 1/2 hour comedy it was then decided that a 1/2 hour comedy isn't what the cable channel was looking for. They then became very excited about developing Starcrossed as a web series, only to discover (after a year of humming and hawing about it) they didn't think it would work as an advertising model.
That said, ScyFy have kindly agreed to let us have Starcrossed back, and for that I am very grateful. However, the legal side of this arrangement will still probably take many months to finalize...and even if it does finally get resolved, there are bound to be strings attached. This experience has made me seriously question the way Hollywood develops shows. It just seems like a colossal waste of time and energy (not to mention money) and that's just the projects that DON'T get made!
I don’t remember who said it, or for that matter what exactly they said ;-) but it was something along the lines of: “if you can't work in the system then get out and create your own”. I want a future where television is created like independent film. As it stands right now, the cost of making a television show is prohibitively expensive using the usual (pardon the pun) channels. In order to be feasible in an indie filmmaking way it would have to be much cheaper to produce. Something that's very difficult to do within the current union guidelines. Sanctuary
tried to go it alone, but eventually had to resort to the tried and true method of cable show (and good for them for making THAT happen!) Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
and The Guild
have succeeded where many others have failed...mainly because they're smart, entertaining and created and promoted by savvy souls with marketing smarts! I imagine that they were also cheap to make (to be fair I have no idea how much they cost or how they do from a financial perspective, but they certainly don't work on the usual TV budgets) Web based entertainment also needs to be as easy to access on my television as it is on my computer, in order to compete with the rest of the junk the networks and cablers out there! That said, Indie Television is an area I'm definitely eager to explore!
In the short term, I’m going to be wary about giving away the rights without knowing that a project can be made in some form or another!
I hope to revisit Starcrossed again, as I’m convinced that it would be a terrific show about Science Fiction a topic that's been near and dear to my heart for just about my entire life!
Now the bright side!
I want to make a series (whether for the web or for television) that could work as a show unto itself as well as a proof-of-concept for Starcrossed. The show would follow a has-been never-was sci-fi actor who is struggling to create a place for himself in today's do-it-yourself web, convention, self-publishing, web serial world. I'd like it to be something akin to the brilliant Steeve Coogan in the "Alan Partridge" series...with a healthy dose of Galaxy Quest thrown in. I've even spoken to a few of my old cast mates about the possibility of roping them into the ensuing madness. As always, I'll keep you posted!
Inspiration for this project comes from the following:
I want my Starcrossed :D tv written by trish (whovian),
August 08, 2009
I can't wait!
I love the Office and Faulty Towers! And Galaxy Quest was a great film. I think your idea is original and will do well. The thought of getting the band back together (so to speak) for epis on this would be a dream come true for me!
So my fingers are crossed!
Trish
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... written by Fran,
August 08, 2009
Brilliant idea David. Can't wait. My kind of Movie.
-1
... written by Cathie,
August 08, 2009
I grew up watching Faulty Towers & love John Cleese. Galaxy Quest is a great movie. I will be looking forward to seeing Starcrossed! I cant wait!
cath(animallover)
+0
Indie is the future written by Roger,
August 08, 2009
Complete with rubbery aliens, styrofoam planets, wobbly set pieces, temperamental space vehicles and erratic computers...sounds like an episode from Star Trek: The Original Series
That said, it sounds like a fantastic idea. Independent development has done a lot for music (look at sites such as RCRD LBL and eMusic, for instance). Indie TV would be a fantastic concept, if it could be made to work - and I fully believe it can. There's an audience out there that's looking for something beyond plain 'cookie cutter' entertainment like you find on many mainstream cable channels.
I'd love to see some of the Atlantis crew get involved in something like this, especially after seeing Flanigan in a "V" uniform, complete with futuristic ray gun.
+0
... written by MRAM,
August 08, 2009
Good Luck with starcrossed and thanks for keeping us "squirrels" posted!
+0
fingers crossed for starcrossed... written by Robert von Heeren,
August 08, 2009
Hi, I definitely would like to watch starcrossed Some of what you report about the waste of time and energy (and finally lots of money) reminds me about some problems in my business area (IT), where every one wants to make money, doesn't know how, but if you have a good idea it gets stuck in either indecision or buerocracy (or both) - extremly inefficient and to imho one of the reasons for this recession going on. But you're doing the right thing in searching for new ways (indie), creativity always finds a way, I'm absolutely sure of that. Although I heard many trekkies to hate Galaxy Quest, me (as a trekkie too) not, I love it, it's a great movie, good idea to mix some of that humour into your new project! Fingers crossed and many thanks for keeping us posted
+0
... written by Scruffnstuff,
August 09, 2009
I'd love to see both these ideas get made and if you can get the old crew together again there will be a whole bunch of happy Squirrels out there ready to swing from tree to tree to get the message out there!
zomg David. So many blog posts after such a long silence. Not that I'm complaining, but forgive me if I miss a few things and start complaining about something you've already explained.
Starcrossed sounds like a great idea! Sorry that it won't be happening anytime soon But if you do decide to mess around with a web series, I will be glad to comment, rate, and repost constantly to spread it around
+0
... written by Tom Shafer,
August 09, 2009
It sounds like a great concept. I remember watching ADB with my wife and saying I'd love to see ADB-2, but this time concentrate on Ryan's sci-fi show (and do it tongue-in-cheek). Sounds like we may get our wish!
+0
... written by Kelly McDaniel,
August 09, 2009
I am so very bummed about this and had been looking forward to a concentrated form of David madness! Don't give up the ship or what ever, hon. I'm pulling for you!
+1
I apologise for ranting in advance. written by Wizard of Aus,
August 10, 2009
I love the idea, it has the potential to be great. The only thing that concerns me is the amount of stuff going on. There appears to be a large number different people and departments all happening at once. I think the best comedies are the ones that don't try to be funny, they just organically are. Shows like Fawlty Towers have a strong main group of characters that the audience can latch on to but are ultimately normal (but flawed) people. Extras (Ricky Gervais) is probably a pretty good example, and roughly in this genre, where alot of the humour is derived from the interactions of the characters and this is 'framed' by the movie/TV show that is being filmed around them. Coupling is another great show with fantastic conversations, so does Big Bang Theory. For behind-the-scenes type stuff, I quite like My Name Is Bruce which is a movie that is loosely based on Bruce Campbell, and stars Bruce Campbell, and is about a B-Grade horror movie star.
To summarise, what I think makes a good show, central characters that feature prominantly, normal people that we (the audience) can relate to, finding the humour in daily tasks and interactions plus some dodgy special effect and cool stunts (which the genre of sci-fi allows).
I apologise again, I'm not really qualified in this area or anything, but I watch alot of TV. I'm certain Mr Hewlett will not let his show fall into the traps that devour other shows. I don't really want to see cheesy and over the top. What I want is organic humour, like A Dog's Breakfast, interesting people, interesting situations and a little slapstick never goes astray.
(Sorry again! Just trying to help. I look forward to a bit of Squirrel Marketing for the upcoming projects.)
I can't believe that the people at SyFy (still a dumb rename), passed on this. It's idiotic, especially with the built in fanbase of us Squirrels to support it. But I suppose this is from the same people that decided that ECW Wrestling belongs on a science fiction channel. What a bunch of idiots.
I am happy that they returned the rights to you, David, though I don't envy the legal issues that it's going to take over the next month or so to get it officially back to you.
Hopefully, you can figure a way to make it cheaply on your own, or someone else helps out.
+0
... written by shelsfc,
August 11, 2009
Really sorry to hear Starcrossed is a no-go (for the time being at least) But I love the idea for the web series, sounds like a good mix. Best of luck with it, my computer and I are ready and willing to help out if we can!
David, you had my husband and I sold on Starcrossed a loooong time ago, but when you mentioned Galaxy Quest, I literally squeed. I have actually memorized all the lines of that movie without even trying. It's a brilliant film with brilliant actors. They were just missing their egotistical genious astrophysicist.
I really hope you get this project off the ground again. Once again, you've got my creative juices flowing for ideas, but this is your baby.
Much love, Mandi
+0
Sounds fab (you know...if it ever happens!) written by M'rie,
August 12, 2009
Just wanted to chime in and join the chorus agreeing that this would be amazing, and I'd be behind it all the way. Have you tried shopping oversees? This has the Beeb written all over it...
Completely unrelated sidenote: italics, especially in large blocks, are enormously difficult to read. Can you try an alternate for this kind of thing? Like, blockquoted/different font to offset from your blogged text? Thanks!
I have experience in the independent world as I self-published my own book. So if you are looking for help in that aspect, drop me a line. I'm an experienced author and script editor. Currently my script editing work has been for audio dramas for the blind. I'd love to help...keep me in mind.
+0
... written by Robb Clark,
August 13, 2009
I'm pretty good with a camera or editing and can throw a line out pretty well too. I'll gladly volunteer my services if I can sleep on someone's couch and get food free once a day.
+0
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and 
. Unfortunately, all I find myself with is a number of scripts (a feature, a 1/2 hour pilot and a number of for-the-web episodes) and 2 and a half years of development hell! After developing Starcrossed as a 1/2 hour comedy it was then decided that a 1/2 hour comedy isn't what the cable channel was looking for. They then became very excited about developing Starcrossed as a web series, only to discover (after a year of humming and hawing about it) they didn't think it would work as an advertising model.
tried to go it alone, but eventually had to resort to the tried and true method of cable show (and good for them for making THAT happen!) 
and 
have succeeded where many others have failed...mainly because they're smart, entertaining and created and promoted by savvy souls with marketing smarts! I imagine that they were also cheap to make (to be fair I have no idea how much they cost or how they do from a financial perspective, but they certainly don't work on the usual TV budgets) Web based entertainment also needs to be as easy to access on my television as it is on my computer, in order to compete with the rest of the junk the networks and cablers out there! That said, Indie Television is an area I'm definitely eager to explore!
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Some of what you report about the waste of time and energy (and finally lots of money) reminds me about some problems in my business area (IT), where every one wants to make money, doesn't know how, but if you have a good idea it gets stuck in either indecision or buerocracy (or both) - extremly inefficient and to imho one of the reasons for this recession going on. But you're doing the right thing in searching for new ways (indie), creativity always finds a way, I'm absolutely sure of that. Although I heard many trekkies to hate Galaxy Quest, me (as a trekkie too) not, I love it, it's a great movie, good idea to mix some of that humour into your new project! Fingers crossed and many thanks for keeping us posted 
Not that I'm complaining, but forgive me if I miss a few things and start complaining about something you've already explained. 
But if you do decide to mess around with a web series, I will be glad to comment, rate, and repost constantly to spread it around 
I love the Office and Faulty Towers! And Galaxy Quest was a great film. I think your idea is original and will do well. The thought of getting the band back together (so to speak) for epis on this would be a dream come true for me!
So my fingers are crossed!
Trish