Thanks guys. This is my first stab at writing a tv script, and I'm open to feedback or ideas for future 'episodes'.
Feedback: the only parts that seemed a little stilted and flat were around the licenses, but the payoff at the end made up for the setup. I'm having a hard time describing what I mean. About 85% of SV's humor comes from punching up at the egos, the money, the hubris, the skewed reality of a self-referential cloistered environment. About 15% is more gentle, knowing jabs at the characteristics that Richard and the engineers embody (social awkwardness, lack of skills necessary to survive in this environment, the monomaniacal pursuit of the right way of doing things).
The early license jokes seem to be more punching down--I picture all those licenses are earnest one-offs written by devs in their garages, and it's punching at their earnestness. When SV takes shots at individuals making IP, it's almost always because the founders are incompetent opportunists with bad ideas. Licenses can be bad, but it's better if they're institutionally bad.
It might benefit if the licenses are even more over the top, or are tied to entities or situations that are more mockable from a punch up standpoint. Like cynical open source licenses around software for mundane consumer hardware like refrigerators or blenders or a Furby which could create civil suit exposure for use cases people would normally do. Perhaps a bartender mixing a Raviga actually violates a Vitamix open source license. At his office, they tell the lawyer what they're trying to do--he cites a similar license he wrote for a Kickstarted pocket blender startup--Jian Yang tackled at the end when he brings the Ravigas back (by the kickstarter'd founder who was invited to the birthday party).
I love how in the interview on TC you say (in reference to AOL):
>> BR: I’m honestly amazed they’re still around.
You did realise that TC is owned by AOL when you said that right? No wonder the interview seemed to pass over that comment :)
The comparison between open-source projects and tech companies was great, and I liked the "A beat as everyone contemplates mankind"
For the irony, you should release your script under a non-permissive license.
What are your thoughts on that?
I'm intrigued by the idea of writing a full season of Silicon Valley, but I'd also like the challenge of writing for different kinds of shows. I may write a Rick and Morty script next to see what that's like.
That would be great, although unfortunately Hollywood is so concerned about lawsuits that show staffs aren't even allowed to read scripts for their own shows. For example, the Silicon Valley staff isn't allowed to read this script; if I wanted to apply for a job there, I'd have to write a script for a different show and send that in.
Would love to see SV do the same for 1 episode (they could get really meta with it)
Sad to hear there are legal barriers preventing this. I imagine that a simple "sign this release before submitting your work" still leaves room for lawsuits?
Would this eliminate the risk of a lawsuit?
One of the Season 2 Main Casts is a good friend of mine. I can you that you wrote a line or two for the character.