tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:52:32 +0000King Arthur's Disasters10:33PitchingProject XThursday's ThoughtCBeebiesFunky FablesGigglebizLANoddyAgent (UK)Agent (US)KidScreenNetflixPinewood StudioPurple TurtleRik MayallTweetingWriters' Guild InterviewstructureCosmic MooseCrimevilleEdison's Secret LabFeaturesFinal DraftLife as a freelancerMeetingsMipNew ProjectPBSTime PigletsTom Dick and HarryBAFTA nominated Writer and Creator...or something...http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Paul Parkes)Blogger70125en-usnoBAFTA nominated Writer and Creator...or something...Paul Parkespaul@cosmicmoose.comPaul Parkestag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-7207571268913652310Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:37:00 +00002019-07-24T19:37:56.668+01:0010:33King Arthur's DisastersPurple Turtle...yeah, I know, hardly a relevant title, but I couldn't think of one. I was thinking maybe 'ramblings', but for a title, that was so dull that I fell asleep halfway through thinking about it. Actually, it's not the first time I've written the phrase 'Arguing Ears'.  Just as Arthur's final run was coming to an end, I was approached to create a new series in the same comedy style as Arthur, http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2019/07/arguing-ears.htmlpaul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-1653524228916918257Sun, 21 Jul 2019 11:12:00 +00002019-07-21T12:12:54.763+01:0010:33Yeah, it is (you'll be SO impressed by how clever that sounds when the title is finally revealed). OK, so my super cool, super awesome movie has been stuck in development hell for a long time. A REALLY long time!  BUT it looks like things may be moving again...which is also super cool and super awesome! More news to follow very shortly, but good news is we're back scouting for locations...http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2019/07/it-really-is-about-time.htmlpaul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-8250080742472584471Sun, 04 Mar 2018 12:13:00 +00002018-03-04T12:13:37.607+00:0010:33Purple TurtleWell, yeah. Is it. No two ways about it. OK, so I admit it, the blog has slipped down my list of priorities. Waaaaay down! But there are reasons. And lots of them. I will reveal all soon. Veeery soon...  http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2018/03/quiet-here-isnt-it.htmlpaul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-8039122949782982421Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:13:00 +00002015-10-01T21:13:13.862+01:00Edison's Secret LabNetflixPBSI thought today would NEVER come, but it's FINALLY here!!  So why the excitement?  The show that I've been working on - my first for the US - Edison's Secret Lab - premieres on Netflix (US) today!!  HUZZAH!! We're also hitting PBS.  For my chums in LA, we'll be on KLCS, but I don't know when exactly. It's been a SUPER-fun show to work on, and I'm hoping it won't be too http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2015/10/edisons-secret-lab.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-2534754932276075648Tue, 22 Sep 2015 19:27:00 +00002015-09-22T20:27:22.836+01:0010:33...trust me, you'll find that a really clever title when you learn what my first movie is about. Yeah, that's right - I said MOVIE! More news to come as and when. BUT we have the locations pinned down. We have the cast. We have the crew, and we have an AWESOME screenwriter! (that's me btw...) Is it like anything I've ever done before?  Nope. O...K...but is it cool and groovy and ever sohttp://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2015/09/its-about-time.htmlpaul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-3307825312484681759Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:09:00 +00002015-07-13T20:09:13.010+01:00King Arthur's DisastersNetflixRik MayallI can't be sure, but I think my new car is a time machine.  The sales guy didn't mention it in his sales patter, but I have my suspicions.  He mentioned fuel economy, speed, yeah I got all that. But crossing the fourth dimension?  Erm...no, I don't think so.  Maybe it was an optional extra?  Maybe.  But the fact remains, I'm pretty sure I'm back in 2005. The reason?http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2015/07/netflix.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-4360433896159071053Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:26:00 +00002014-06-12T21:26:25.391+01:00Rik Mayall As with most comedy fans of my generation, the terribly sad news of Rik Mayall’s passing came as a huge shock.  For those of us who grew up on a diet of Kevin Turvey and the anarchy, violence and chaos of The Young Ones and the wonderful Bottom, life won't be quite the same again.  Rik was one of my Comedy Gods. He was also my friend.  We'd often text each other and trade http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2014/06/rik.htmlpaul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-3310072132678631141Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:48:00 +00002013-11-29T17:48:58.636+00:00CBeebiesGigglebizThe super exciting news is that the second half of Gigglebiz series 3 premieres this Monday at 5.15pm on CBeebies!  Huzzah!http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2013/11/more-giggling.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-3702761615255823834Sat, 19 Oct 2013 09:04:00 +00002013-10-19T10:04:18.903+01:00CBeebiesGigglebizHuzzah!  I've just heard the suuuuuuuuper exciting news that the new series of Gigglebiz- the series that I worked on earlier this year - premieres on the CBeebies channel this Monday (21st) at 5.20! Again, huzzah!http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2013/10/giggling.htmlpaul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-5018380402728149152Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:23:00 +00002013-04-03T08:23:49.581+01:00CBeebiesGigglebizSadly, my time on  Gigglebiz has come to an end.  The writing for the new series - series 3 – is done and dusted.  It’s now on its jolly old way into production. It’s been a truly fab and groovy gig, writing for some of my favourite characters, as well as writing material for some really funny new ones.  That said, I’m not sure if I can say who these new characters are, http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2013/04/gigglebiz.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-8211656368967527993Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:04:00 +00002013-02-22T10:30:01.307+00:00FeaturesstructureGetting lost is frustrating, especially when using a satnav. Or rather, MY satnav. I got lost again recently; literally, in fact. The feature I'm writing was giving me headaches  (true, I also got lost during a truly awful journey to BBC Salford last week. It was a fresh slice of Hell I didn't particularly need.  Seriously, whichever ‘genius’ thought moving the BBC to Manchester was a http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2013/02/featuring.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-137659794543401450Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:25:00 +00002013-02-18T10:31:56.362+00:00Final DraftWhen I was five years old, I had a friend who would have long conversations with his left knee. His name was Larry. I forget the boy’s name.  While he and Larry were best friends most of the time, there were times when they were mortal enemies (I remember one time when he didn’t speak to Larry for almost a week. The atmosphere in the classroom was unbearable; you could’ve cut it with a knifehttp://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2013/02/testing-testing.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-7011075818901706282Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:29:00 +00002013-01-30T12:15:36.796+00:00Agent (UK)Agent (US)I’ve just realised it’s been a few weeks since I last posted anything. It’s not intentional; I’ve just been super duper busy with this that and the other.  And when assignments come in, it means blogging slips further and further down the list. So while I wait for producer feedback on the aforementioned this, that and the other (all will become clear soon-ish), I wanted to update the old http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2012/09/double-agent.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-212211697258004494Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:21:00 +00002012-07-09T12:23:41.403+01:00MeetingsPitchingI’m a fan of Newton’s First Law of Motion (btw, the other two laws are nowhere nearly as good. My theory is he wrote them not because his heart was in it, but because books and movies are often easier sell as a trilogy. You can almost hear his agent saying, “Isaac, nobody’s going to go for this unless you come up with another two laws. If you can, put something in there about gravity. It’s going http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2012/07/laws-of-motion.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-7076339553924449025Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:45:00 +00002012-06-22T15:45:01.549+01:00Cosmic MooseI make lists.  I can't help it; it's just something I do.  I make lists for everything. My desk is littered with lists. I even make lists about making lists.  In fact, writing this post was number 3 on today's list. Number 1: make a list. Number 4: dispel the rumours that despite vanishing (albeit temporarily) from the blogosphere, that I http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2012/06/lists.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-4135268398881028581Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:47:00 +00002012-01-31T17:32:08.012+00:00I've just realised this is the first time I've visited the dusty halls of the old blog since last May (this explains the stale air, the thick layer of dust everywhere and the huge mountain of mail on the doormat). Time for a clearout is waaaaay overdue.  I'm also going to give the old blog a revamp because that's the kinda reckless guy I am... ...http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2012/01/fresh-air.htmlpaul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-2692780383404314273Wed, 18 May 2011 09:03:00 +00002011-05-18T16:21:09.075+01:00structureI've had a true life-changing experience. I have discovered The Board... ...note the reverred silence? Oh yes, The Board!  Hurrah!! Erm...so what is it?  Well, that's something I'd often wondered too.  In fact, until recently, I didn't know it even had a name!  And then somebody kindly 'enlightened' me.  "I mean, it's a bloody board http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2011/05/board-board-board.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-8325673289331281642Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:55:00 +00002011-03-15T16:55:59.232+00:00King Arthur's DisastersI've just realised that I haven't updated my blog since last November. I wonder - is it too late to wish everyone a happy new year? Possibly... Dusty off and kicking out old blog posts that don't appear to do anything now except occupy server space, I thought I'd check some of the links that frequently appear on the old blog-o-drome. Shock!  Horror! http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2011/03/ahem.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-9167437681582397692Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:59:00 +00002010-11-24T22:59:19.697+00:00KidScreenNovember's edition of Kidscreen Magazine, which includes my recent interview, arrived earlier this today.  As promised, I've included a link.  You can read it here on page 15...http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2010/11/kidscreen.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-5779938883525609947Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:54:00 +00002010-10-29T16:54:58.127+01:00PitchingAlthough my experience of pitching has mostly involved me pitching to someone, rarely has anyone actually pitched to me.  I'm not saying it doesn't happen; it just doesn't happen very often. So when it did  happen two weeks ago, it allowed me to see pitching from a different perspective. Until that point, I was convinced pitching was all one-sided; that it was onlyhttp://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2010/10/on-other-hand.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-1484160792564184926Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:31:00 +00002010-10-22T10:31:13.630+01:00KidScreenAs I was promised, I did hear some good things from Mip (is it me, or does Mip sound like something Road Runner would say?)  The next hurdle is now financing (isn't it always?)  Still, I've been rest assured this isn't a problem; the producers are quietly confident and I've no reason at all to doubt them. On another cool and groovy note, my http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2010/10/mip.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-5987954505239428613Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:36:00 +00002010-09-29T15:36:44.247+01:00MipSo this weekend is MipJunior, starting the week-long Mip in Cannes.  I really was hoping to attend this year (mainly because I'd never been) but because of 'stuff' I mentioned earlier, that now makes it practically impossible. In fact, more than impossible; super impossible. However, I'll be there in spirit.  And I'm hoping I'll be in a position to share some cool and http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2010/09/fingers-crossed.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-3333378813975590985Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:54:00 +00002010-09-23T20:54:43.911+01:00New ProjectI've just realised how long it's been since my last update.  My weak and feeble excuse is that I've been very busy with stuff.  Stuff.  Isn't that a great word?  It's so descriptive, yet ambiguous at the same time.  Stuff. Anyway, the project I mentioned aeons ago - the one where I would be sitting in the Executive Producer chair - is starting to take shape really http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2010/09/latest.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-4008049850570897246Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:35:00 +00002010-04-09T17:43:06.071+01:00King Arthur's DisastersI've just heard that ABC TV in Australia has renewed its licence - again - to both series of KAD. Hurrah!It appears that one of Merlin's spells has actually worked!...http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2010/04/excellent.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6340010200348968839.post-5726464886277636814Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:14:00 +00002010-04-01T10:44:05.975+01:00PitchingSo the top secret project that had me sworn to secrecy is over. It's now in the lap of the gods...oh yeah, and the odd producer (at this point, the old me would've said something like most producers are odd, but not anymore since the new me is moving into producing). From what I hear, the project is getting some positive vibes, but we won't know for sure until Mip later this month.But now that http://paulparkes.blogspot.com/2010/04/art-of-juggling.html0paul@cosmicmoose.com (Paul Parkes)