Watch TV SPEC Reading of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM by Chris Agnew

Watch TV Show Reading of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM “Uncle Larry”

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Rochelle Burke
LARRY – Charles Gordon
LEON – Aieron Munro
MS. KOTCHERY – Susan Wilson
JEFF – Robert Notman
SPENCER – Paul Falkowski
SUSIE – Maya Woloszyn

Get to know writer Chris Agnew:

1. How would you describe your Curb Your Enthusiasm TV Spec in 1 sentence?

A fun-filled romp for the entire family.

2. Why does this script fit into the context of the TV show?

It’s me venting about things and people that piss me off in my best impersonation of the style Larry invented.

3. This story has a lot going for it. It makes you wish for another season. Do you think Larry David will bring back the show for one more season?

I started writing this with the fantasy, as my motivation, that I could convince Larry to do more, that this script would reach him. Delusion is an important motivator for me. He managed to make the show funnier a number of times like when he added the blacks. I can’t think of any tv comedy that morphed in so many ways and added major characters and then got significantly funnier. I was trying to prove that to myself with my Ms. Kotchery character; that she could be a really funny nemesis/love interest for Larry that could propel the story forward. I fell way short but it was fun trying. He’s proven that he can make it funnier, I think he should definitely do more. I do think there is a good chance that he will do more and even if he doesn’t I think he’ll start a new project.

4. What is your all-time favorite television show?

Seinfeld, there is nothing funnier to me than a frustrated George. Elaine’s the funniest female character I’ve ever seen and Kramer’s physical acting/goofiness is amazing… Jerry ties it all together. I wasn’t allowed to watch much tv growing up and I was also a pretty stubborn contrarian so I didn’t catch on until after the last season had aired. I think the first episode I watched was the last one because I was on a school trip and we had to interrupt the trip to watch it. I didn’t get any of the references and was not impressed. Later when I got access to cable and reruns I stumbled onto it and it was the best thing ever. I didn’t realize it at the time but in high school I was really studying Seinfeld and went on to get my bachelors in Curb. I really didn’t give a shit about my classes. South Park is my second favorite, the satire and creativity is mind blowing.

5. Besides Larry David, who is your favorite character on the show?

Leon. “No, mopey dick. Who the fuck is moby dick?”

6. How many stories have you written?

I’ve been writing for coming up on two years and all I have to show for it is this curb episode and 40 pages of sketch comedy… there is a lot of pretty bad stuff, I’d rather not go back and count.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

It was my favorite recent show, I got to re-watch episodes and play.my own new episodes in my head and with friends out loud all day, it was awesome.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Edits when I got feedback, I had worked so hard on the first version, the idea of getting back into it made me physically ill. But I got consistent feedback that it was back loaded and I agreed so I figured I’d make a few changes. One thing lead to another, I ended up tearing it apart and didn’t think I would be able to put it back together. I completely changed a couple of the plot lines and heavily edited the main plot line. I can’t tell whether I like the new version better, I’ve lost all objectivity at this point. But I do feel the structure is better so that’s something.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Friends and family, any kind of adventure.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

It offered quick feedback, I didn’t have to wait 6 months or a year to see how I did. I also liked the idea of it being performed. The feedback from Wildsound was really helpful, they pointed out coincidences that could be better explained and a few parts that were too busy. I definitely agreed and made the changes, so thank you!

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

I’m a beginner so be wary of anything I say, with that said… When I started to write this I watched 20-30 episodes again and carefully wrote out their structure with bubbles and lines. Once I had that I copied that structure with my own ideas. I think the problem was I didn’t record in his episodes how each part of the plot had the audience looking forward, they usually had something to expect coming up. So my plot didn’t have that, it had individual scenes that often times only vaguely implied what the audience should be expecting. It was lacking what all the instructional books call… structure. This is what I think led to my editing nightmare. So I would say listen to the people who have done this before very carefully and think about what specific actions you can take to heed their advice.

* * * * *

Deadline: SUBMIT TV PILOT/SPEC Script – Get FULL FEEDBACK. Get script performed by professional actors
http://www.wildsound.ca/tvscreenplaycontest.html

Watch WINNING TV PILOT Screenplay Readings
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/tv_pilot_readings.html

Watch WINNING TV SPEC Screenplay Readings
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/tv_spec_readings.html

READ 100s of testimonials for past submitters –
http://tvfestival.org/2015/06/18/tv-screenplay-testimonials/