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Post by koenigrules on Feb 10, 2005 13:23:53 GMT -5
As I stated on lvrocks last night, my Sci-Fi sources (2) indicated at least a 13-episode order. HollywoodNorthReport also indicates this in their news release on the pickup: www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/article.php?Article=929Battlestar Galactica Renewed For Season Two SCI FI orders minimum 13 episodes of the smash series! February 9th 2005 05:28pm | Posted by: Robert Falconer HNR Senior Editor The ascending ratings made it a practical inevitability; steadily increasing with each episode, Battlestar Galactica has quickly distinguished itself as the new standard for television science fiction. The most recent episode, “You Can't Go Home Again,” scored the series’ best ratings yet, with 3.2 million viewers. Sources for HNR tell us that the major cast members—including Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell—are contracted to return, though additional casting details were still being ironed out at the time of the official announcement. We can also tell you that SCI FI Channel has committed to 13 episodes, and is actually considering a 20 episode order! Information has not yet been released regarding premiere dates, nor is there any word yet as to whether Britain’s Sky One Channel will be involved in co-financing a second season. With the network’s announcement comes much anticipation for where the series will go next creatively. Galactica canon is rich with possibilities, to be sure, but creator/executive producer Ronald D. Moore first hopes to resolve the multiple cliffhangers that will end season one, as well as delve deeper into the show's religious themes, including a look inside Cylon society. Once production dates are announced, we’ll let you know. KR |
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Post by Blade Runner on Feb 10, 2005 13:27:29 GMT -5
Cool, i hope they dont go too many over 13 and compromise the quality
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Post by XwingRob on Feb 10, 2005 13:43:05 GMT -5
Hmm, well I think 20 episodes is a good idea because of the fact that 13 episodes would mean longer breaks between seasons. But then, 13 episodes means really good quality...  |
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Post by CylonGod on Feb 10, 2005 14:04:08 GMT -5
Twenty is good if they keep the same quality.  Maybe somewhere in the middle at say 16 would be a better choice quality wise. I belive Moore has a stated prefrence for 13 but it may not be enough to make money for the network (for the suits). Maybe 20 is a number where they feel they make or break even in production costs and such. Maybe the advertisers want a full season for their money per episode. At 13 epi's a season of a hit show the cost per advertisement is too much for them. (like a superbowl ad but not as much). Maybe 20 gives them a little price break per show but more income (for Scifi) because of more payments. Just my .02$  |
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Post by The Godfather on Feb 10, 2005 15:12:06 GMT -5
I think 20 would allow for a few more character studies which could be beneficial...
-Shawn
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Darth Marley
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Post by Darth Marley on Feb 10, 2005 17:05:35 GMT -5
I don't see how the number effects the quality.
To get in to a tautology, quality effects quality.
If it is a simple numbers game, then after a small number of good episodes the series would start to suck.
If 200 consecutive good scripts were produced, it would not matter if it were broken in to 13 ep seasons, 20 ep seasons, or 52 ep seasons.
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Post by CylonGod on Feb 10, 2005 19:41:02 GMT -5
I don't see how the number effects the quality. To get in to a tautology, quality effects quality. If it is a simple numbers game, then after a small number of good episodes the series would start to suck. If 200 consecutive good scripts were produced, it would not matter if it were broken in to 13 ep seasons, 20 ep seasons, or 52 ep seasons. With no time limit your right. If they get too many in a season they will rush to get them done. They need time to think it out, plan it, then rehearse it, and finially shoot it. After all that they have to revise and edit it. At 52 per season thats one per week. The quality would suffer. I do think that 16- 20 (but i'm no expert) would be good especially since they finished season 1 and have time untill season 2. |
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blackbirdcd
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Post by blackbirdcd on Feb 10, 2005 20:24:18 GMT -5
I don't see how the number effects the quality. To get in to a tautology, quality effects quality. TOS BSG fell into this badly - they got the green light for the series so quickly after they shot the pilot that they literally didn't have the time to get their stories together. Of course they weren't starting with the same caliber of writers (most of them wrote for B.J. And the Bear, egads). Having the extra time that a 13 episode run provides will increase the quality. I'd LOVE 20 episodes but would gladly trade for fewer if I knew the quality level was high. |
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Post by JJCoolbean on Feb 10, 2005 21:36:02 GMT -5
At least 20 episodes makes sense to me, and I had been waiting for this to happen, frankly. It makes sense on a number of levels.
With the ratings so high on Sci Fi why wouldn't they want more first-run BSG to air? The ratings, and therefore the advertising money and "buzz", will certainly decrease as the repeats are aired. Most networks would prefer to only air a program twice, once in first run and once in rerun, with cable networks also often airing "marathon" showings. With only thirteen episodes of BSG, that a lot of repeats in between seasons. On the premium networks like HBO and Showtime they will take such show off for several months but I would assume that Sci Fi would see this as a missed opportunity with BSG.
As for the studio, more episodes helps down the road when syndication rights are up for grabs. Usually at least 85 episodes are needed for the really lucrative syndication deals. Again, more episodes is advantageous.
More episodes also means more generated revenue, which probably isn't goint to bother the actors and creative staff as new contracts are negotiated.
Regarding quality, I don't think 20 should effect things to any detectable degree from a viewers standpoint. I've worked on television series that have done as many as 26 episodes a year and as long as the duties are delegated it shouldn't be a problem. Considering that Ron Moore isn't writing every episode I think we have already seen this with season 1, so Moore and David Eick will just need to come up with 7 more script treatments and give them off to the staff writers from season 1. The only real issue for those involved is less vacation time between seasons, but all involved in the story aspects to this have plenty of experience on other shows.
Let's not forget that Babylon 5 season 2-4 were 22 episodes almost exclusively written by one man, and many of us see B5 as the current science fiction standard (though BSG is well on it's way to contending for this title), so it's not impossible to write quality material over 20 or so episodes.
Personally I think more episodes could make BSG even better as it will give the writers more time to flush their ideas out even more. At times I think season 1, with it's limited number of episodes, could have used a more measured pace at times. I would have liked to have seen more done with some of the secondary characters and some of the little things could have been drawn out and made a bit more believable if given the time. For instance, Baltar being chosen as a representative of Caprica and the political process could have been examined over a few episodes, even if just in a passing statement or two (as B5 often did), instead of being rushed together in one episode of "Colinial Days."
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blackbirdcd
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Post by blackbirdcd on Feb 10, 2005 23:29:50 GMT -5
It's certainly true that they can produce 20 episodes, but the question is should they? Sure they'll make money with more episodes and syndication rights, but don't you want a quality experience?
It doesn't matter how many people you delegate to, time will eventually become your enemy when you're trying to turn out quality shows.
You worked on a show yourself, JJ, but was it a good show? Tons of shows turn out quantity. Even the hallowed B5 (which I loved) had a few stinkers in there. Overall it was a great show.
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Post by ladyrheena on Feb 11, 2005 6:46:21 GMT -5
I don't care how many! It's finally been made big and official and all shiny! WOO HOOOOOOO!
I'll be on the Ribena tonight, make no mistake!!!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by unigolyn on Feb 11, 2005 9:33:12 GMT -5
I don't think 20 is so big a stretch - that's 7 extra episodes.
3 or so of those could be second halves of two-parters - I'm sure there are enough quality scripts that can be stretched over an 80 minute time slot.
That's 4 left over, and frankly, Season 1 went at such breakneck speed that it left plenty of things unresolved - things that necessarily can't be picked up later.
Plus, a nine-month break between seasons is more than most people can bear, especially with a continous story arc.
Case in point - Carnivàle. 18 months or so passed between the first and second season, and a show that opened to critical acclaim nearly bombed with its season premiere. There's no question it's a meticulously crafted, high-quality show, but TV doesn't work like Tolkien movie franchises.
Plus even the crappiest BSG episode is bound to be infinitely better than most things on television, so my vote (which counts for nothing, I know) is for 20-episode seasons.
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Post by Xenu on Feb 11, 2005 9:40:09 GMT -5
Just a little note to say stretching existing scripts is not a good thing....it rarely turns out well. TV writers especially are trained since birth to use words as sparingly as possible, and padding can be painfully obvious. I'd rather them go in with an idea worth 90 minutes.
That having been said, I do think what we'll likely see is 13 shows...and from what I've seen & worked on lately this is going to become more & more common...syndication isn't the only second-life for shows anymore, and if they can get away with less episodes for the same profit margin, trust me..they will.
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Post by joemc72 on Feb 11, 2005 10:38:21 GMT -5
The 13 episodes listed...does that include the 6 additional scripts that were ordered earlier? I'm guessing yes, because those scrips were probably used by the network monkeys in making the renewal decision.
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redspine
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Post by redspine on Feb 11, 2005 11:19:08 GMT -5
Does the success of the show mean that as well as being renewed it will get a bigger budget. IMHO some of the first season episodes were a little sfx light and I felt they got away with it because of a good script(and acting), colonial day being a good example. I would ideally like to see both in every episode.
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