Synopsis
A Shakespearian actor pops up from behind a family’s sofa to dramatically read out a TV Times style guide to the nights viewing. His delivery falls flat on its face when compared with the ease and effectiveness of the family using the Sky Preview channel instead.
This tongue-in-cheek live-action approach effectively communicates the
message that sometimes words just aren’t enough, whereas seeing can be much more effective and appealing.

30" Script outline
We open on a family comfortably sat together around a sofa, enjoying an
evening’s television. Dad presses a button on the remote. Suddenly, Simon Callow, the well known dramatic actor, springs up from behind the sofa dressed in full Shakespearean costume (of course it doesn’t have to be Simon Callow but he is a very good example). He unfurls a scroll and
begins to read in a dramatic thespian fashion.

Simon Callow: “Sky One. A Stargate officer unwittingly contracts an ancient plague whilst in outer space. Will this be an opportunity for the
Ori to gain control of the galaxy?"

He hams up the language as much as he can, attempting to convey the
drama of the piece, but only has the ‘TV Times’ style text descriptions to
work with. The family on the sofa stare blankly back at him.

Simon Callow: “…Or on Two! In Bones, Brennan and Booth enter the world of high-powered corporate crime, and find corruption rife in the corridors of power. Over on three…”

Dad picks up the remote and presses 999. The Sky Preview channel springs to life on the television. The scenes which have just been described appear on the channel – we can see the action, feel the drama. Our experience of the footage is enhanced by a multitude of positive reactions from the family on the couch, who stare enraptured towards the screen. Simon tries to compete but the powerful surround-sound drowns him out. He looks over at the telly, then at the family, then towards us, crestfallen.

Cut to Endboard.
SUPER: “Sometimes words just aren’t enough.”
SUPER & VO: “Sky Preview on Channel 999, see what’s on.”

Cut back to action. Simon Callow has joined them on the sofa. He tries to
nick a biscuit from the coffee table. The kids give him a dirty look. Mum
slaps his hand.

Style
A live action piece. It goes without saying that it doesn’t have to be Simon
Callow.
Being comedic, the shots need to be straight-forward and easy to
understand. A comfy evening in front of the TV feeling, so lighting should
feel warm and cozy. It’s an aspirational suburban home, but not overly so.

Performances
The Simon Callow character should be a real Shakespearean actor,
someone used to controlling the stage with their presence. He will act with
the same intensity as he would if he was playing Hamlet at the Old Vic.

The family aren’t philistines, it’s just that Simon Callow’s medium is out of
date. They all act as if the situation is completely normal, as if one of the
family is simply reading out of the TV Times.