We’re far enough along with our new project that at this point, I feel like we can reveal a taste and update what we’ve done without fear of us giving up in the next few weeks. It is with this in mind that I can finally announce the new Small Glowing Pig production: SpaceBase: Infinty.
SB:I marks the first time that we’ve delved into a non-music project. The plan is to create a pilot episode for what may or may not become a TV series. As for progress, Steve and I have met four times now and have brainstormed ideas, generated a plot outline, and written script to the point where we’re almost complete with the second act of the pilot.
For this first real update, I figured I’d talk a bit about one way that this is proving to be different than any of the music projects we’ve done. When we write music, we generally do it with ourselves in mind as the potential audience. The Name was the first recordings and live performances we’ve done where we often asked ourselves how the music would be received. One interesting challenge we’ve already faced has been whether or not the character personalities and plot are coming through in our writing. We have an idea of what we want the characters to be and how we want the plot to progress, but how directly does it need to be stated? Much of the character development has been contextual. Over the course of the first scene, for example, you learn about Nathaniel “Nat” Wheeler’s personality through his dialogue with a crew-mate. (My wife pointed out that in this scene, he’s annoying, like a gnat – which I had not thought of before. We’re geniuses!)
The interplay between Nat and Cliff in this scene needs to reveal several key elements of their characters without ever saying them outright. For example:
…Nat: Back on Earth I needed that first cup to get me goin’. Depended on it. You start taking that kinda thing for granted. (you) Never expect problems with your routine.Cliff: There’s something wrong with the coffee maker.Nat: So you knew!Cliff: Not until now – I don’t drink it much myself.Nat: But its your job to know! You can’t expect the rest of us to know how to fix crucial components around here.…
Hopefully the hyperbolic use of “crucial” tells the audience that Nat is overreacting and implies that the fact that Cliff has been working this whole scene while Nat complains tells shows that he is in fact doing his job and that the coffee maker is not what he needs to be worrying about.
The plan is to complete the first script in the next few weeks and then begin voice sessions (which will include several friends of SGP.)
-Mike