Guest Booker: JJ Dillon

[LWPD]

Guest Booker: JJ Dillon

Video Trailer

I just received this today. From listening to past interviews and from reading his book I can say that JJ Dillon has always delivered considerable insight and value when given an open forum. He's very detail orientated and can provide anyone who makes an effort with an abstract understanding of a great many concepts.

Here is the blurb from this release:

WRITING WRESTLING TELEVISION

Hear how WWE did it SEE how we do it.

The most crucial aspect of pro wrestling's saleability, its television, is explored here. The man who wrote WWE television beside Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson for years, JJ Dillon, joins us to explore the art and science of doing just that - writing wrestling television.

* When should a run-in be employed?

* How to use promos and packages?

* How does one choose a TV arena?

* What does it mean politically if Wrestler A makes the save for Wrestler B on TV?

We gave JJ a fictional pay-per-view supercard from the early 90s era and gave him one month of TV with which to advance the angles. See how JJ uses the weekly A and B shows, as well as a Saturday Night Network Special to build up to the pay-per-view at month's end. He then books the results of that big card.

JJ shows us how to use just the right amount of exposure for select angles for a most effective build-up. The booker's job doesn't end there, as we hear about the very delicate practice of employing diplomacy in dealing with the "big egos/TV time" equation.

[GalactiKing]

Dillon has a lot of good ideas. Looking forward to his eventual inclusion in LOW.

[stephenvegas]

Another good post LWPD!

JJ Dillon is actually scheduled to be the master of ceremonies for the CAC's annual convention here in Las Vegas next June.

[mwjergs]

I wonder if anyone has picked up any of the Guest Booker series.
I think with many of us liking the alternate booking from the boards this would be a popular item.
It looks interesting.

[LWPD]

mwjergs said:

I wonder if anyone has picked up any of the Guest Booker series. I think with many of us liking the alternate booking from the boards this would be a popular item. It looks interesting.

I've seen them all. In terms of value I'd rate them:

1. Dillon (in depth coverage of aspects relating to selling a pro wres product through television...heavily influenced by what he learned working with VKM and Pat Patterson but has other carry over experiences...well worth listening to)

2. Sullivan (has a practical working knowledge of the Eddie Graham booking philopshy...can still apply it to the 're-book WWF '85' project but is nowhere near as sharp or focused as Dillon)

3. Sapolsky (young 'smart fan' vibe but with practical experience...tries to book the revival of ECW...many Heymanisms arise...to his credit he works with-in the parameters of what is possible to attempt with-in a WWE owned structure...there's honestly not too much here of value)

I'd like to see projects worked on with experienced greats such as Bill Watts, Ole Anderson, Bill Dundee, Gary Hart and Ken Mantell. Eric Bischoff would be a long shot guest but is knowledgeable in a way no one else can relate to and would be an excellent study. JJ has so much more that can be explored so a revisit holds a lot of potential.

[GalactiKing]

Yeah, I'd like to see the Sullivan as well as Dillon. Looking forward to who else they might get and what they may do on future projects.

[hofclemens]

Have wanted to pick one of these up for a while. I am interested to see what is next.

[mwjergs]

Good review. I am interested in the Dillion and the Sully.