Watch TV Spec Reading of BOB’S BURGERS by Travis McMaster & Tony Interdonato

Watch the November 2015 Winning TV Spec Screenplay Table Read.

Watch BOB’S BURGERS “Wreck Center”

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Becky Shrimpton
BOB – Allan Michael Brunet
LINDA – Erynn Brook
LOUISE – Lauren Toffan
GENE – Adam Martignetti
TINA – Devin Upham

Get to know writers Travis McMaster & Tony Interdonato:

1. What is your TV spec screenplay on Bob’s Burgers about?

We wanted to do a full family story. Mr. Fishodoer has extorted the Belcher family into using the rec. center.

2. Why should this screenplay fit into the context of the tv show?

In the previous seasons we’ve seen a lot of building of the town mythos, with the wharf arts center, the track, the convention center. We wanted to expand the town and also Bob and Linda’s history in it. We liked having a connection to Bob and Linda’s youth that they could (overbearingly) share with their kids.

3. This story has a lot going for it. How would you describe this script in two words?

Family Adventure.

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

Tony: Star Wars (A New Hope)
Travis: According to my mom, Dumbo.

5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging and fun screenplay. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

We started this spec last November. So 8-10 months before submitting it here.

6. How many stories have you written?

Tony: About 10 specs, 5 originals (both comedy and drama), and 20 comic book scripts
Travis: 2 specs, 3 pilots, outlines for 8 more, and I got a feature rattling around in my head that I can’t quite pin down.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

We are both huge fans of Bob’s Burgers. The voice cast and writing team are so talented. In a lot of ways, it’s the spiritual successor to “The Simpsons” in terms of the family dynamic.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

We struggled with Louise having enough purpose throughout, since Bob/Linda are teamed with Gene/Louise.
I struggled with maintaining and 80’s movie theme throughout, and then reconciling with the fact the the climax is a reference to ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ which is very much a 90s film.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Tony: I’m an avid gamer, both table top and video games. I DM weekly for our Dungeons & Dragons group. I’m also an obsessive comic book fan and spend most of my free time in L.A. going out to concerts
Travis: Dogs. Really into dogs. Also Disney World, I’m a big theme park guy. And there’s this bisque, every Tuesday I drive to Burbank to get it from the Ragin’ Cajun food truck. It haunts me.

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

A friend of mine who just moved to L.A. from Brooklyn read our script and recommend we enter it. The coverage and feedback were right-on and helped us tighten up and improve things after staring at it for so many months.

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Just write all the time, every free moment you have. Don’t sandbag yourself. If a show or idea resonates with you, pursue it, even if it’s only for yourself.

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Deadline for Television Pilot/Spec Screenplay Festival:
https://tvfestival.org/