Comments on: Free Advice Friday: Turning Ideas Into Article Queries

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:40:41 +0000

Jenn, I think it's a few hours of my life I can waste elsewhere. 😉

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 09:58:41 +0000

I've been saving the Sharknado installments for a "bad horror" party night. But even for those it's been tough to commit to them. LOL Guess I'll just have to make the time.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:45:46 +0000

LOL! Anne, that's the best idea yet. :)

Paula, I saw five or ten minutes of the first one. I hit Fast Forward and just watched in comic light speed the insanity. :) I think it's rather funny that this has become such a cult classic. I guess it's true that something can suck to the point of being its own parody.

And I may take you up on that!

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:32:46 +0000

I love Anne's angle! I haven't seen any of the Sharknado "movies" and don't intend to start now. Accidentally bad is way funnier than something designed to be bad so people will laugh at it.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 16:58:08 +0000

How to avoid the whole Sharknado fuss and get on with your life?

Actually, Lori, the article is excellent, per usual.

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 15:27:51 +0000

You might be sorry you shared the Sharknado idea, Lori. Yesterday I read an industry blurb noting Syfy has already ordered Sharknado 4. (If you decide to run with your idea, I can put you in touch with someone who can get you access to the marketing/promo team behind it.)

When I look for ideas I try to find the less-than-obvious – often less-glamorous – angle. Yours is a good example of that. Instead of focusing on the celerity (I saw way too many mentions of all of the NBCUni "talent" who made cameos in Sharknado 3), I'd focus on the business side or perhaps something about the behind-the-scenes crew that bring the scripts to life.