Charles Pratt Jr. |
“I never want to plan things out too carefully; you need to let the story dictate how it twists and turns, always on the look-out for something different, surprising and emotionally compelling,” Pratt said.
“It’s the things you find in the middle that can explode a story, and those things usually come from certain ‘goals’ you set up. Many times I’ve started with the end of a story and worked backwards, ultimately timing the big reveals to correspond with sweeps periods, and an ultimate climax—and if you’re talking a perfect story, its ending is the next story’s beginning.”
Thinking what he calls “long story,” says Pratt, “is the ultimate joy of the job [alongside his co-head writer Tracey Thomson], the meringue on the pie! Just sit back, grab a few hours, a weekend, and spit-ball story.”
He tries to identify “a new character who is exploding… Our goal is to make them a pivotal part of a big story. Couples are another goal. Putting them together. Breaking them up. Giving them children. There is absolutely no formula to a successful story. My goal is to have story come out of character—and usually a successful character will almost dictate the story to us. They speak to us in our dreams!”
Read the entire story at thedailybeast.com.
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My love for Y&R has diminished a lot this year. Chuck's stories are not for me.
ReplyDeleteWell...that would pretty much explain why Y&R is in the embarrassing state it's in. Serial storytelling is BASED on long-form. Otherwise, just watch the news. Like GH, there's no appeal left here except for "train wreck TV." RIP Y&R....hopefully a more respectful regime can save its legacy.
ReplyDeleteWell, neither Chuck nor Jill need any toilet paper for a while after THAT fluff piece.
ReplyDeleteChuck Pratt, Y&R's head writer: “I never want to plan things out too carefully"
ReplyDeleteJoshua, disenchanted longtime Y&R viewer: "No shit."
For me it's his arrogance that is so appalling. He lets character drive story? Q. How many Y&R characters are completely unrecognizable since Pratt took over? A. A large part of the cast!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what's worse, the writing since Pratt took over Y&R or the incredible ratings they get. All hope for humanity lost.
ReplyDelete