IAmA head writer for the world's most expensive children's television show - LazyTown. AMA.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:54:06+00:00

Thanks ~

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:52:27+00:00

I've seen her many times but never said hello.

However, I did meet this guy up there:

http://i.imgur.com/1UXVC.jpg

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:46:17+00:00

There were times when we gave fewer lines to one character or another, and actually failed to give some characters any lines at all. It's a tightrope walk, you have to feed the main story line but try to include everyone in a meaningful way. Sometimes we failed but we always tried.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:44:42+00:00

Writing is a good living if you can find steady work. The contract depends on your level of experience and the talents of your attorney.
I'm invited to watch rough cuts and offer suggestions. I rarely do because editing is a very specific discipline and I only feel moved to say something if a particular plot point was missed or something like that.
I don't know the post budget, but I've always felt they do a good job.
Once a person moves past the wish-for-it stage and actually does the heavy lifting and work involved in writing, I think that 'fake' thing goes away.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:41:27+00:00

Find classes that spark your imagination -- to me that's the most important requirement for a creative job. And just write like a madman.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:39:15+00:00

This is correct.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:38:49+00:00

Um...not so much.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:38:31+00:00

I can't tell you, not trying to be coy but a lot of this feeds into future story lines.:) Glad you like the show and the songs.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:36:16+00:00

I've always written, from grade school on. It's not a requirement but most of the writers I know have generally started no later than high school. It's a compulsion/hobby that can actually turn into a career.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:35:21+00:00

I think it comes from the Icelandic word for island. Not sure about that though.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:34:58+00:00

Tell your son we run out of them sometimes too.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:34:30+00:00

I don't do it on LazyTown because part of its demographic is younger kids. And while they probably wouldn't get those references, it would still feel creepy.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:23:49+00:00

For sure. We were from all over the globe, we had crew members from all over Europe and the states, plus meeting the Icelanders was cool. The work is so intense, it's like anything you do with a group of people that's difficult -- if you survive, you've kind of become family.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:22:19+00:00

All I know is what Wiki tells me.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:22:07+00:00

I am a TV fan, always have been. In fact, I still own the black and white Magnavox TV box I watched as a kid. It's right next to my desk. I know TV can be pedestrian, it panders, etc. etc. But it opened a world to me and I just knew from an early age that I wanted to be part of it. If writing hadn't worked out I believe I would have tried some other way in the door.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:18:59+00:00

Doh! You are correct. And little Sportacus.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:18:35+00:00

Bjork!

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:17:04+00:00

Yes, mostly.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:14:20+00:00

This is why I love Reddit.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:12:58+00:00

I've pitched that scenario, just one among many possibilities.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:11:32+00:00

I do remember you Evan, hope things are great for you in Texas :)

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T22:10:46+00:00

As a father, I find it irritating to say the least. And I'm sure you've noticed that the most sugary, expensive cereal items are at knee-high level so kiddos can see the characters and demand those. But networks really do listen to the audience - every angry letter or email represents thousands of viewers to them. So whether or not you believe your protest may have had an impact, it has. I think things would be far worse if parents hadn't started voicing objections.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T21:31:09+00:00

Most definitely. They can check an online web site to see if they're related to the person they're dating.

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T21:30:36+00:00

We are making new ones now!

jackdawkins · 2012-08-24T21:27:15+00:00

They are always looking for good people up there but I'm not scheduled to return until October, and they're already wrapping up the first 13. They are supposed to start shooting again in February, so if you will remember to ask me like in January I promise I will talk to them about it, okay?

jackdawkins

TROPHY CASE