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August 2010 Member of the Month September 02, 2010, 06:09:29 PM Matt

After a week of nomination, I can reveal the second MZP-tv Member of the Month. But first, I need to make an Honourable Mention to someone who needs it. They weren't the member of the month, but a few people did make mention to them. The member showed great commitment and enthusiasm to the board and the community that they managed to fly across Europe to England (for the first time in his life) to meet up with people at the Manchester Massacre. For that alone, this needs a worthy mention. It was great to meet and speak to him in person, and I hope to see him again sometime in the future: Andrew Corvero!  Now...the MAIN EVENT. This member was nominated because of a multitude of reasons. They're helpful, they're friendly, they're a great example of board citizenship and they've assimilated themselves perfectly into the board's community over a few years. They not only provide great feedback to people's work, but they have also managed to kick start a new trend in topics that also encourage discussion on TV shows. They've helped promote an ideal which Monster Zero himself once said, that we like to talk about TV. This poster has encouraged people to discuss and review what a lot of people like: television. But not only that, he's also a great example of the benefits that Pilot Season has. He didn't make it the first time around, but he went and pitched the same show again the next time round. He then got his show picked-up, and his name is thrown around every time the benefits of Pilot Season is picked up. This also shows great character, and a great passion for his series - which is now reaching the last run of episodes on it's first season. He helped kick start the review forum, which has become quite active and successful - encouraging others to the same, and monitors the game section brilliantly. It's these factors which caught the eye of The Admin Team, and this month also saw his promotion to Global Moderator; assisting The Admin Team in keeping MZP-tv a good place to visit. ...So you've probably worked it out by now. But a drumroll please, and can I have the name unveiled... Congratulations to Jake Diamond! May Kristen Bell, whom I've mailed to you, reach you safely. I couldn't afford fast postage so expect 6-8 weeks for her. I also think I forgot to put air holes in the package. - - - - - As last month, other names were nominated for various reasons; which again puts faith in me that members are helpful in many ways. A pat on the back to you! A big thank you to those that nominated, as well. See you next month.

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Announcing: The MZP-TV Moderator Team August 25, 2010, 11:05:34 AM Vaughn

The admin team would like to proudly announce the appointment of a trio of MZP-TV moderators. Trix - Community Moderator (welcoming newbies, being available to help, friendly face, etc) Jake Diamond - Entertainment Moderator (ChitChat/TV/Games forums, etc) Adam Scott - Virtual Series Moderator (Pitches, VS ChitChat, Writing ChitChat forums, etc) Their jobs are pretty simple: try to keep the peace, be a pleasant face around the boards (which they already are), help out where possible, and basically give members a more equal peer to go to for assistance and advice (us admins can come across as scary and distant). They will be on hand to help the day-to-day running of the board, and be available 24/7 for your questions and concerns, so feel free to harass them mercilessly

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MZP-tv Member of the Month August 2010 Nominations Open August 24, 2010, 05:32:32 AM Matt

From today until 9PM GMT Monday 30th August - it is now possible to nominate who you think should be member of the month. To nominate, PM Matt Latham (myself) with a name of ONE MEMBER, and a reason for why you are nominating that member. You are nominating for someone who's done something to contribute to the general citizenship of community. Any nominating for reasons such as "he's my friend," or anything to do with backstage show development will not be counted. Also, please make sure that your PM subject is only: "Member of the Month". It helps me out a lot. AUGUST 2010 NOMINATION EXCLUSION LIST It is not possible to vote for the following members: - Matt Latham (myself) - Trix (July MotM) Thank you.

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ATTENTION ALL NEWBIES: Why Movies & Mini-Series Can Be Good For YOU... August 15, 2010, 06:22:22 PM Tony O'Black

ATTENTION ALL NEWBIES – Why Movies & Mini-Series Can Be Good For YOU... It’s been exactly five years since I first found MZP-TV and, as you may or may not know, five years on the InterWebNets is a long loooong time. This website has evolved from a tiny writers hub and chill out zone for largely JossVerse enthusiasts to the hulking, several-hundred strong writers behemoth it is now with scripts, podcasts, YouTube accounts, audio commentaries, Facebook pages... you name it. The place has evolved. I evolved. And us admins and moderators like to see you, the newbie, evolve along with us and be part of the ride. So, to whit, the question: how can writing a Movie or a Mini-Series be good for you? Well I may be growing older and slowly Monster Zero-like in my senility but I do remember what it’s like to be a n00b. When I joined, the place wasn’t a 10th of the size it is now, the new age was just beginning, but even then showcasing my work to people I barely knew was daunting, especially when I wasn’t entirely sure it was very good. So now, I can only imagine what it must be like finding MZP-TV, seeing the hundreds and hundreds of produced scripts, the pitches, the pilots, and thinking HOW THE HELL am I supposed to break into THIS? Fact is, it’s really not as difficult as you might believe. Number 1 rule to remember: we WANT you here. We want you to write for us. We want you to pitch. We want you to get to know the community, become a name, whether you finding writing a hobby or you’re using us as a stepping-stone, a springboard, for bigger and brighter things professionally. Sure, if you repeatedly pitch nonsense or don’t try and integrate or show a real lack of effort, we’ll point you toward the door quick as you can spit, but we know many of you aren’t like that. You want to write. You want to learn. You want your show to become the next Shackles or the next Walker or the next Bard Investigations. And, as I say, so do we. But there’s a process. There’s a system. It takes time. Though there is a way you can show us what you have before you embark on that amazing showrunning process. THAT is where my section, MZP @ the Movies/MZP-TV Mini-Series, comes in. So you come to MZP-TV and you have this idea. This really cool idea. It’s, maybe, about a brave hero at the heart of a fierce rebellion against a terrifying galactic empire (yes, I know this is the plot to Star Wars, sue me  ). Whatever, you think it’s ace and you think people will love to read it. You pitch it – ‘look, how cool is this?!’. People may agree. You want to do a 20 episode season, it’s got the scope. Then they’ll ask you the inevitable question: ‘have you written on MZP before?’. You look around: ‘uh... no’. They say: ‘well... you’re gonna have to before you can become a showrunner’. At which point, you deflate like a Spacehopper just popped with a pin by an evil child. But, because you’re a good newbie, you think: ‘sure, I can write for a show, cool’. You apply. You get a gig on the VS sequel to Knots Landing (this will NEVER exist, don’t worry  ). You write an episode. People like it. WOOO!! You think: ‘I can be a showrunner now, yay!’. Then you remember how tough it was to write your first solo episode. You remember how much time, patience and work it took the showrunner you wrote for. You begin to worry. Panic. ‘Man, I’m not sure I can do that, not yet anyway’. The evil child reappears with his pin... ...and then you see the Movies/Mini-Series section. And the child disappears. Because you realise your idea could be a movie (or at least part one of a trilogy). You realise it could be a kick-ass mini-series of 6 to 8 episodes maybe, much more manageable especially when you probably would be able to rope one or two people in, who you met on your first writing gig, to help you out. And the best part? If you have a writing gig (or an impending gig) under your belt, I am most likely going to give your idea a green light (if it’s met all the requirements, of course, but that’s a different kettle of Sturgeon). Writing a movie or a mini-series may seem even more daunting but, believe me, it’s one of the best ways to get your idea out there and raise your profile all at once. How? I hear you ask. Well, let’s break it down: 1)   It’s much less a gargantuan task. A movie is ONE script. A mini in most cases between THREE and SIX. Compare that to between THIRTEEN and TWENTY-TWO, and that’s just for one season. See the difference?  For someone new starting out, it’s a lot less to deal with. 2)   You get my help. I’m not going to interfere in your story, plotting, characters or writing (unless you ask). But when the script(s) is/are finished, I will extensively beta-read every single one with notes and, if you so wish, edit the final product. You get solid critical feedback to make it as good as possible before you even go to air. 3)   Large readership. Fact is, Average MZP-TV Joe is more likely to read your movie or mini quicker and provide feedback, as a newbie, than if you plonk 20 episodes in their lap. It’s less effort for them. Many of the movie/mini projects have ended up with plenty of reviews right off the bat. 4)   A raised profile. You’ve produced something for MZP-TV. Your work is out there. People now know [INSERT NAME HERE] as someone who doesn’t just talk or pitch aimlessly with nothing to show, but who delivers the goods. Your stock will rise. If they like your work, people will invite you to write for them. You’ll make more contacts. And the Pilot Season Judges – should you ever want your own major series – will look very favourably on anyone who’s gone down the Movie/Mini route with success. See all the positives? As someone new to this long-standing website, with all the friendships and partnerships and teams and characters and injokes, following this route may well be one of the swiftest and most rewarding ways of making a name for yourself on MZP-TV and becoming a liked and respected member of our community. At the end of the day, that’s what we want from every newcomer who comes through our doors. To your every success, Tony Black MZP-TV Administrator & Chairman of MZP Movies/Mini-Series on behalf of the Admin Team

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AliasVerse Section Arrives on MZP-TV Forum August 09, 2010, 09:29:23 AM Tony O'Black

Following a suggestion by a board member, the admin team - in the wake of Walker's second season coming to a rousing conclusion today - have decided to install a brand new AliasVerse section on MZP-TV to celebrate the 9 collective series of material produced by Walker, Schism and The DSR since 2006. The DSR/Schism creator A. J. Black commented: "I think this is a great idea to celebrate the success of the AliasVerse myself, Adam Scott and all the talented guys & gals who've helped bring our shows to fruition over the years have developed." Walker's second season will be followed in October by spin-off movie Nightingale, featuring Laurel Ravenwood in her own explosive adventure, while Walker itself will return for an anticipated third season during 2011. Black has also teased a few other upcoming projects that will breathe continued life into the new section: "Given it's been well over half a year since The DSR ended, it's about time you started seeing a Complete Series VDVD, which may well contain some exciting surprises for fans," he teased. "And I have a few projects that'll start trickling out to keep the extended universe alive for some time." The AliasVerse - Walker, Schism and The DSR - hopefully will continue entertaining readers through 2011 and beyond, only on MZP-TV.

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ZeroCon 2010 - Manchester August 01, 2010, 07:26:10 PM Matt

During the up-and-coming Manchester Massacre, there will be a mini-event recorded onto video, then uploaded to the official MZP-tv YouTube Channel. These will be a series of videos, no-more than ten minutes each, in which certain staff will discuss their upcoming projects. Whether it is revealing tid-bits or talking a little more about the shows – there will be some exclusive news and information given out to promote these new shows. This event is known as ZeroCon 2010. It’s like our version of Comic-Con. Only virtual. - - - - - - - - So what can you expect from this event? Well to kick things off, Staff Writer Chris Wilson will say a few things on the eagerly awaited THE PARCEL VIEW, due to start the following month. Then we’ll move on to Tony Black and Adam Scott talking about STAR TREK: PREMONITION, and what we can expect from that next year. Continuing the Sci-Fi theme of shows, Matt Latham will be talking about DEMOLITION MAN and after we speak about other shows with staff that weren’t able to attend – we’ll have Adam Scott, Pete D. Gaskell, Kyle MacDonald and Andrew Corvero speaking about KINGS CROSS. One of the big things will be Tony Black announcing the FULL MOVIES AND MINI-SERIES SCHEDULE FOR LATE 2010/EARLY 2011 – and announcing exclusively some new pick-ups. Following that, we’ll work through the schedule and speak to the writers and producers on some of the upcoming movies. Kicking off again is Chris Wilson with PLASTIC LOVE – due to air soon followed by Pete D. Gaskell and Adam Scott with THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. Tony Black retakes the chair along with Pete D. Gaskell for MZP’s Christmas Bond movie 007: THE DEVIL IN THE DETAIL and Pete D. Gaskell rejoins Adam Scott for SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SEVENTH NAPOLEON. Taking a break from musical chairs, we then talk to Kyle MacDonald about his upcoming BATMAN: ORIGIN. Dan Loach then takes the stand about THIS BE THE VERSE before he’s joined by Pete D. Gaskell, Adam Scott and Luke Asquith to talk about OPERATION ANGRY BADGER. There may be a few surprises in store as well. - - - - - - - - BUT we need your help. We’d like you to send in questions for these people to be asked. If you have any questions about to any of the above showrunners or writers on any of the projects – then send a PM to PETE D. GASKELL who will collect the questions. OTHER SHOWRUNNERS WITH SERIES/MOVIES/PROJECTS IN ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT - - if you have any information that you would like to reveal, we will have a small section where we’ll read out/announce any news on your projects. Just PM PETE D. GASKELL with all your stuff. Visit our YouTube Channel at: http://www.youtube.com/mzptv

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July 2010 Member of the Month July 31, 2010, 09:14:45 PM Matt

After a week of nomination, I can reveal the first MZP-tv Member of the Month. This member was nominated due to a recent achievement that they'd managed to reach. One member commented that they didn't even know that this achievement was even possible until they'd did it. It is actually a remarkable goal they're working towards - but already reading 1000 MZP scripts is just astounding. They're carrying on until they've caught up on every MZP-tv script ever - and we all wish them the best of luck. But not only that, the commitment shown to the board, as well as offering feedback on the majority of stuff they read, is just a positive example of board citizenship. They always offer a welcoming hand to new members and has become an integral part of the community. So you've probably worked it out by now. But a drumroll please... Well done, Trix. Have a gorilla. - - - - - Trix wasn't the only person voted for, there were several other members that were nominated for all various reasons. Whilst Trix got the most nominations this month, it made me proud to see that all the other nominations were for justified reasons. They were all for people doing what they do towards the community - and that made me smile. A big thank you to those that nominated, as well. See you next month.

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The WeSeWriMo 2010! August 2010 July 27, 2010, 09:13:59 PM Matt

The past three years have seen our lovely friends over at the Web Serial site EpiGuide run their own version of the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). But their little twist is that they're using web serials/virtual series/web series and a user-defined goal. This year sees them running this event for the fourth time, and the event is open to anyone. The flexible goal system means that you set your own ambitious goal to do between August 1st - August 31st. So do you write a one hour episode a month?  Why not challenge yourself to write two episodes in the summer? I'm going to doing this - I'm going to sign up and challenge myself to write the two Demolition Man episodes that have been storyboarded to a first draft. Are you going to challenge yourself over the summer?  The deadline for sign-ups are July 31st / 1st Aug For more information, read: http://wesewrimo.org/ For more information about signing up, visit: http://www.epiguide.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14824 WeSeWriMo FAQ: http://www.wesewrimo.org/about.php - - - - - - - - - - - Note: You can take part in this privately if you wish, as for official certification purposes completed scripts need to be submitted for counting purposes. Quote What do I get if I succeed? The satisfaction of a job well done isn't enough? Actually all who complete their goals successfully will get a little banner award. How do you know if I succeed? Couldn't I just say I reached my goal and fool everyone completely? Well ... you could, sure. But what's the point of that? Further, the only way anyone's gonna get a verified place on the WeSeWriMo Hall of Fame is by submitting your stuff to us. Not for publication, just for our administrator to count and verify. While this isn't mandatory, it's the only feasible way we can keep track of this stuff.

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MZP-tv Member of the Month July 2010 Nominations Open July 26, 2010, 05:47:38 AM Matt

From today until 9PM GMT Saturday 31st July - it is now possible to nominate who you think should be member of the month. To nominate, PM Matt Latham (myself) with a name of ONE MEMBER, and a reason for why you are nominating that member. You are nominating for someone who's done something to contribute to the general citizenship of community. Any nominating for reasons such as "he's my friend," or anything to do with backstage show development will not be counted. Also, please make sure that your PM subject is only: "Member of the Month". It helps me out a lot. JULY 2010 NOMINATION EXCLUSION LIST It is not possible to vote for the following members: - Matt Latham (myself) Thank you.

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