Mark,
Sounds like a good day, and opportunity
Seeing as aspiring comedy writers are notorious for being skint, I was wondering if you would considered raffling off a pair of tickets?
Seems there's a few people who would like to attend, but can't afford it.
How about offering them as a prize in a contest for the best joke?
This sounds great - very good idea and I would love to go. Predictably, it's the only Sat or Sun from then through to Christmas that I definitely can't make. Definitely signing up to BCC2 though!
My aim is to be there, and I am planning on being so.
Dan
Technically, if you're not funny, can you still be there? I'm asking for a friend obviously 
Thanks for all the positive comments... not a negative one yet by the looks of thing, lovely (We can take feedback if there's something not looking right though!).
Apologies to those of you who don't live in London... I feel your pain, as I don't either so have the train & hotel issue. For those wondering about last trains, I would consider staying over for the night if you can - the best networking will probably happen at the bar afterwards. I'll be looking around for a cheap hotel for myself soon - I'll let you know what I find for those considering the trip.
On the topic of London, I'd love to have picked another city as things do often feel a bit London-centric, but to get many of the A-list speakers we've approached we do need to be on their doorstep so they consider it.
Quote: Judgement Dave @ September 26 2013, 10:06 AM BSTAny timings/details for the evening gig? Is it just the YouLive bit? Bit the bullet - staying over in that London and so will see you on the 30th.
Awesome. Look forward to saying hello. Just for the record, not sure of the exact timings yet, but the gig might be about 8pm.
Quote: AngieBaby @ September 26 2013, 12:33 PM BSTSeeing as aspiring comedy writers are notorious for being skint, I was wondering if you would considered raffling off a pair of tickets? Seems there's a few people who would like to attend, but can't afford it.
We really do appreciate that, after travel etc, to attend it'll cost people over £100... which isn't just pocket money. We've tried so hard to keep costs down but this event is proving hugely expensive to put on (especially when we've still got some big names to sign up) so we're a distance behind the break even point at the moment... but if we get close to that we could perhaps consider that idea indeed, cheers for the thought (we have to pay the venue per head, hence giving away tickets right now would cost us money).
Quote: roscoff @ September 26 2013, 3:52 PM BSTTechnically, if you're not funny, can you still be there? I'm asking for a friend obviously
Tell your friend the day will teach you to be funny 
(Although, actually, this event isn't aimed at total newbies - it's for those who already are funny and do bits and bobs... so perhaps it's more aimed at you roscoff, rather than your 'friend' )
I think this event would be an ideal platform to finally launch the BCG Podcast...
You can't fault the idea, as it could be a great aid to many writers. As the venue is London, which whilst being understandable, it often proves to be too far for many. All I can hope is that it's a roaring success and goes on the road and ends up one day in Liverpool.
Quote: Ben @ September 26 2013, 6:47 PM BSTI think this event would be an ideal platform to finally launch the BCG Podcast...
Ha ha. One day, one day!
Quote: Teddy Paddalack @ September 26 2013, 7:39 PM BSTAll I can hope is that it's a roaring success and goes on the road and ends up one day in Liverpool.
Absolutely! I'd love to do another outside of London. Manchester / Liverpool / Birmingham way. Maybe another Edinburgh direction, and one in Wales. It'd admittedly be expensive to get some speakers there (as 90% of the key comedy executives are still London based), but if the demand is enough to cover the train tickets etc... (Plus of course then we could hear from more Salford-based producers, and maybe get the talented BBC Scotland lot involved more). But, yeah, need to not lose money on this one first before we consider any others.
Well done Mark. Every best wish that this works out well. Good work for putting it together.
Of course, I won't be attending myself, as I'm far beyond this kind of thing now, being an internationally-acclaimed comedy writer... *coughs*... That and I once poured a pint of beer over Al Murray during his set (I was young and stupid and drunk and he'd impuned my then-girlfriend), so I don't really want to see him again.
Hope this is the start of another great success (I'm one of the people who counts this website as a 'success', btw). If you're doing it again next year, then I'm quite happy to come and give a lecture to aspiring comedy writers for free (providing you guarantee my personal injury insurance).
All the best, mate.
P.S. Is Tim Dawson lecturing? If so, I may well attend in order to 'ask questions'.
I'm also happy to lecture for free,
Though I will charge if you want to see my impersonation of Hitler sings chas and Dave's hits
Quick update on the latest list of speakers we've added...
John Finnemore: We're huge fans of John here at the BCG. Aside from his appearances on the likes of The Now Show and co-writing much of David Mitchell's output, you'll probably know John as the creator and star of Radio 4 sitcom Cabin Pressure. Do check out the latest series of his great sketch show on the iPlayer if you haven't already: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03brkf1/John_Finnemores_Souvenir_Programme_Series_3_Episode_5/
Gary Delaney: One-line gagsmith Gary has been a regular on the stand-up circuit and a hit on Twitter for quite a while, but now thanks to bookings on the likes of Mock The Week he's breaking into becoming a well known TV face too. Here he is on August's Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUd5SSDbnH8
Bruce Dessau: Bruce is one of the most experienced and respected stand-up critics in the UK. If you haven't already done so, bookmark his website and subscribe to his email newsletter for weekly opinions, news and reviews from the circuit: http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/
Caroline Norris: The production brain behind shows including the smash hit multi award-winning Horrible Histories, Caroline is one of the leading comedy producers in the country. Her forthcoming projects include Chris Addison sitcom Trying Again and Caitlin Moran pilot Raised By Wolves.
Freddy Syborn: Freddy co-writes (with Jack Whitehall) Bad Education, which is doing huge numbers for BBC Three at the moment. He's also just written a new book about jokes called A Good Bullet. A side bit of trivia for you, he's tried his hand at acting in Bad Education... you can spot him in the episode below, 11 minutes in, as the first interviewee for the teacher role: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01fsjqg/Bad_Education_Series_2_Funeral/
Paul Boross: Known as 'The Pitch Doctor', Paul will be hosting our YouPitch! session. So start thinking about polishing your best show idea to present a panel of top commissioners and producers.
More names soon!
Further details on the day here: https://www.comedy.co.uk/make_it/conference/about/
Love you,
Mark
No hidden charges, no booking fee - the total cost for the whole day is just £99 if you book before 21st October omfg how much lol
Quote: george roper @ October 8 2013, 12:07 AM BSTNo hidden charges, no booking fee - the total cost for the whole day is just £99 if you book before 21st October omfg how much lol
Fair point George. It's actually cheaper than other conferences as it happens (and we've got two more rooms and maybe 20 or so more speakers than others)... but putting on an event of this size is really expensive, there's no getting around that. Take out the VAT from that £99, then add the venue hire charges (into the four figures just this one expense by itself), food and drink, printing costs, speaker fees, and everything else and you'll see we're not coining it in.
But, yes, it's not pocket money, I do realise that. I do think it represents good value for money for those who are serious about making comedy their full-time job though.
Quote: Mark @ October 15 2013, 2:56 PM BSTFair point George. It's actually cheaper than other conferences as it happens (and we've got two more rooms and maybe 20 or so more speakers than others)... but putting on an event of this size is really expensive, there's no getting around that. Take out the VAT from that £99, then add the venue hire charges (into the four figures just this one expense by itself), food and drink, printing costs, speaker fees, and everything else and you'll see we're not coining it in.
But, yes, it's not pocket money, I do realise that. I do think it represents good value for money for those who are serious about making comedy their full-time job though.
Way way way better value than the £50+ I blew on the BAFTA Rocliffe sitcom competition earlier this year to submit 10 pages of my script.
In the current climate, and given that it's unsubsidised, this strikes me as very decently priced.