Scriptwriting from the Producer's Perspective

Well-known actor turned producer Soni Razdan held forth on the producer's perspective on scriptwriting.

Reiterating that the key to a serial's success lay with the producers, writers as well as directors, Razdan maintained that every scriptwriter should approach the producer with a kitty of possible storylines, do their research beforehand, think up a USP for the script and finally, be flexible to possible changes in the script. "The only way to succeed is to be open to feedback constantly", she added. It was also necessary that writers be paid development money for the time that the serial is under production so that he does not suffer financially, she noted, a suggestion taken up enthusiastically by other speakers.

Offering a few tips to budding writers, Razdan suggested that writers should keep a few spare storylines and plots ready while meeting producers. A USP in a story is always helpful, she claimed, adding that television is a monster that's always hungry for new ideas. Flexibility within a storyline is as important as being convinced about one's concepts, she said. Razdan also appealed to channels to be logical in their intervention in the making of serials and soaps.