HF Question, Authors? Options

[BlueCatShip]

Hi folks, I was wondering, does HF look for scripts for its current series from prospective scriptwriters? Would HF be interested in other ideas, Trek or original?

I have some things on the back burner, Trek and original, either one. Nothing's finished as of yet, but once it is, I'd submit something, if HF is looking. At some point, I'd think you'd consider including other writers, but you may have more than you know what to do with already. What is the process? Is there a process? Thanks.

[Kestra]

That would be either a Rob question, or you could ask the other Executive Producers of the Audio Dramas you are hoping to write for since it would be their call.

In regard to the Video Series (Odyssey, Helena Chronicles, Frontier Guard), those have wrapped production and have been wrapped for a while, so that is no longer an option to write for.

Audio would be your only outlet.

And keep in mind that most, if not all, are written in a telescript format rather than a play/stage format. I know from experience that Henglaar, M.D. (HMD) is done in the telescript format. They use FinalDraft to compose the scripts.

[DHillMSP]

That would be either a Rob question, or you could ask the other Executive Producers of the Audio Dramas you are hoping to write for since it would be their call.

In regard to the Video Series (Odyssey, Helena Chronicles, Frontier Guard), those have wrapped production and have been wrapped for a while, so that is no longer an option to write for.

Audio would be your only outlet.

And keep in mind that most, if not all, are written in a telescript format rather than a play/stage format. I know from experience that Henglaar, M.D. (HMD) is done in the telescript format. They use FinalDraft to compose the scripts.

Kes is essentially correct. FG may return in some format, as Rob has alluded to, but I've not heard of any movement in some time. Trek may return in the 3D format, but whether that would be re-working of the existing video series (as has been done in the proof of concept on YouTube) or a new project of some kind is unclear. I tend to doubt the latter (new project) is possible, as most of the props and costumes were purged after ODY 3.01 wrapped.

As for audio...yeah...we're pretty much "the outlet" for HFP-Trek right now. You've got FED on hiatus, GRS, HMD and DR in production and EQX in pre-production.

Not clear on scripting for GRS - Séan Paul can speak to that. Ditto for EQX and Camren and his team.

The stories for FED are pretty much done as I understand it, but I think they'd need to be converted into audio-plays - Andrew would know for sure.

DR's first season is scripted already (seven more episodes to go). We've also done advance plot work on the second season and started some preliminary mapping of the third. Alex, Camren and I will be dividing up the ten or so scripts for the second season in terms of writing duties. So there might be an opportunity there.

As for HMD - we're also plotted through the mid-point of our third season, barring changes. Speaking as the show-runner, while I am open to story submissions, I need to be able to work them into the existing plot structure or tack them on at the end of what's been worked out in terms of story arcs without it being too out of place. If you're interested in writing for us, I think it's safe to say that we'd be more than happy to discuss that possibility with you.

Of course, if you have an idea for a new series...well...that'd be a Rob thing, tho I would bet a few of us who have been doing this the whole while would get pulled into the conversation.

As to submissions, it depends on what we're talking about. If you're talking about a story pitch or outline...I think for our purposes, as long as we can figure out what you're trying to convey, it'd be fine. As for scripts, that tends to be a show-specific question. DR, at least thus far, has been done in Microsoft Word. HMD, on the other hand, has been using Final Draft (which is professional scriptwriting software) since Day One. I'd probably be fine with "external" submissions coming in Word format - as I tend to "own" the script before I start either directing or assembling, I'd probably convert it over before either the actors see it or I start using it for editing purposes.

Hope that helps!

[BlueCatShip]

Thanks, Kestra and David!

What I have now are ideas from over the years, mostly that fit in the TV/movie series. I also have a few ideas that are original stories set in the Trek universe, with or without too many changes. These range from ideas about like story pitches, to a few chapters. I also have other science fiction ideas running around in similar states of not-yet-completion.

What I don't have yet are stories that would match with, say, one of the HF series or over at Excelsior or Outpost. So...I need to put further thought into that. My instinct at present is to go for something that would fit later in the current productions or a later season of same. -- Or to go with an original idea.

I hadn't particularly thought of Frontier Guard, but hmm, I want to do a rewatch of it and of the original Hidden Frontier series anyway. -- Frontier Guard would be fun to work with too.

I don't have Final Draft. I do have LibreOffice, which can export Word .doc files and several other formats. I'll look into getting Final Draft. -- The examples I've seen of scripts have been from the old Trek books, Star Wars, Firefly, and a few scripts for live theater for amateur productions. So I should get a book that discusses scriptwriting and the format, versus prose fiction.

In thinking already of ideas for Excelsior, the main thing I've discovered is not just keeping within the regular cast, but writing for *audio* versus a *visual* medium. Certain story ideas just don't work as well for audio as they would for video.

But -- I asked because I figure this is the best chance of getting something into a story for others to enjoy, either audio or writing, and the ideas need to be out there instead of sitting dormant. It's also to kick myself in the butt and kick myself into gear.

[BlueCatShip]

Final Draft is on its way to my doorstep. The cost is less than I'd thought, thank goodness, and that should save time setting up styles and templates in Word (LibreOffice Writer).

I should've asked: To whom do I send any story pitches, outlines, or draft submissions? Does it depend on series? Thanks.

[DHillMSP]

Final Draft is on its way to my doorstep. The cost is less than I'd thought, thank goodness, and that should save time setting up styles and templates in Word (LibreOffice Writer).

I should've asked: To whom do I send any story pitches, outlines, or draft submissions? Does it depend on series? Thanks.

It would depend on series - probably best to send them to the showrunner for the particular show - if they're listed as an "Executive Producer", they're probably the one you want to send it to.