I've got a script but will the idea get pinched? Page 2

Thanks Wills. Yes I have a good number of friends who do all the technical stuff as hobbies so the filming and sound won't be a problem. The sets will be though,that's where I'll struggle. How would I get in touch with a local script writer? I'm in Wales so Bristol is close too. Don't panic this sitcom isn't based on mining or getting pregnant at 15 and shopping in your pyjamas. Its not about Rugby or male voice choirs either!

So lets image BBC or SKY etc say "Its f**king blinding Stu go with it" Then what? Where do you get the funds to produce these things?? Again thanks for any help.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

Don't worry about the logistics of funding and production just yet. In fact put it firmly out of your mind! In terms of finding a local writer, just use your imagination and explore. Are there screenwriters groups? Go to one and see if anyone has a style you think fits your idea. Go to comedy events/nights and meet people. Immerse yourself in the comedy world that surrounds you, and it'll hopefully lead you to like-minded people.

GET THE SCRIPT DONE :-)

Thanks Wills. Thats really helpful and a good start. Don't run before you can walk etc. And more importantly finish the script!

You've been great, thanks very much. I'll keep you updated with my progress.

No problem. Good luck with it, look forward to hearing how you're getting on.

Don't get you mates to act in it or friends to help out. Sitcoms cost a small fortune to make and lots and lots of peoples time energy belief and heart behind them. If you do such a thing do it extremely well, if you can;t stick with a script.

Unfortunately you are not going to get a seasoned scriptwriter to write your idea up for you. It's just a fact. Unless you take my offer of course Cash up front mind!

If it's a 'taster' pilot it doesn't need to be the sitcom equivalent of Ben-Hur, but it does need industry professionals working on it I agree.

And regardless of whether you make it or not, it still leaves you with the challenge writing that great script in the first place. A seasoned pro certainly won't write it, but I think the next best thing is to find someone like-minded who's starting out. The hard truth is, the chances of it reaching the silver screen are somewhat against you! The best you can expect is to form a few new relationships, learn from your mistakes and make something better next time. That's not to say it won't happen, I hope it does.

The chances are greatly improved with a great scriptwriter, so if you have 5k under the mattress get Marc on pastry and coffee ASAP.

I'm not sure if Marc's offer was intended to be taken seriously.

It would help though to find a suitable complementary writer - someone who you can bounce off who has similarities and differences.

Yes I can see the benefit of getting real actors in etc. Ok, I'll finish the script first, find a like minded comedy writer and get on it.

Mark P - tut tut the first rule of business is never part with your cash until you have the goods. Plus you sound awfully nice but would you give 5K to a guy on a forum you've just met? For all I know your a 60 year old 25 stone bloke tapping away in your string vest and Y-fronts eating fried chicken from a trough.

No offence but good luck with trying to fish 5K out of random strangers.

Quote: Stu Legend @ 7th January 2015, 9:03 PM GMT

No offence but good luck with trying to fish 5K out of random strangers.

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I think Marc is not being entirely serious, Stu (well he is, but he doesn't expect you to take him up on it!)

The point he is making is that ALL the skill is in the execution of the idea. You will not find anyone who will simply fill the structure and the plot (the hard bits) around your gags. They wouldn't be able to anyway. All jokes in sitcom come from character and plot - there is no such thing as a standalone gag.

Unfortunately, ideas aren't worth anything in this industry.

There are a couple of things that you have said that worry me a bit:

1. That it is based on 85% true life. As I've said in a recent thread, true life is only funny to those that can relate to that particular situation. I am a lawyer. Some (most) evenings after work, me and my friends gather around a pint of Sauvignon Blanc and laugh ourselves silly about things that have happened that day.

But if I tell the same stories to none lawyers, they do not laugh. Because they cannot relate to that situation.

The key is to take the particular situation and exaggerate it in such a way that everyone can connect with it.

2. You talk about having the characters and the gags - but do you have a plot? Jokes in sitcom come out of characters and stories. There are no gags as such. If you look at some of the sitcom attempts in critique, you will see a couple of blokes standing around exchanging banter. Doubtless it some cases, the writer has pretty much copied an exchange he/she had at work that day that everyone found hilarious. But it doesn't work in sitcom.

It is great that you are enthusiastic about your idea - you are going to need that, writing is really really really really hard work. Now just commit something to paper.

Actually, I do have one funny true work story. I once threw my bra at a Queen's Counsel.

But the humour wasn't in my job - it was in my shame and humiliation. Which lets face it, we can all relate to.

Quote: Stu Legend @ 7th January 2015, 9:03 PM GMT

find a like minded comedy writer and get on it.

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Remember that when you get someone else involved you will have to compromise - they may not love the bits you do etc.

Personally, I am too much of a control freak for that. So I taught myself sitcom writing. I don't know lots and I have a long way to go, but I am doing OK so far.

My rule is you only get final say over my script if you are going to produce it.

So if you feel like that, maybe better to have a go yourself.

Uh Jennie - I think you'll find Not Going Out disproves some of your arguments above.

Quote: Stu Legend @ 7th January 2015, 7:25 PM GMT

Th comedy in my script is there, the characters are there, the situation is there, all I fear is that I need padding around the gags to make the show sitcom longer so it'll last over 6 episodes. Thats the skill of a seasoned script writer.

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What you've just done is say I've got a dog, would you like to take my dog for a walk.

Then presented me with a photocopier with a dog lead attached to it.

I mean I'll drag it up and down the road and throw it a stick, maybe smack it with a newspaper if it leaks ink on the carpet.

But it ain't a sitcom script.

You fundamentaly don't understand about what a sitcom script actually is. There's some excellent books, blogs and websites on the subject.

Read some.

Quote: Chappers @ 7th January 2015, 9:30 PM GMT

Uh Jennie - I think you'll find Not Going Out disproves some of your arguments above.

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In what respect?

I guess that Not Going Out famously had lots of jokes, based around a fairly thin sitcom setting.

With most of them coming from themselves as opposed to setting or character.

I haven't seen enough of it to comment to be honest. If that is the case it is very much the exception to the rule.

I would still stand by my essential argument that in good sitcom, the laughs come from character and plot.

By the way Stu one last thing.

I haven't read your script....but it's terrible.

Everybody's first script is terrible, as is their second one.

Stick it in critique for free or pay someone for feedback.

Find it why it's terrible then write a better script.

All this dicking around is just wasting time and it's going to take a long time to improve it, so stop wasting it.

Quote: Jennie @ 7th January 2015, 9:40 PM GMT

I haven't seen enough of it to comment to be honest. If that is the case it is very much the exception to the rule.

I would still stand by my essential argument that in good sitcom, the laughs come from character and plot.

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It's quite unusual, I think Every Body Loves Raymond is quite similar.

I hate Ray Romano and his stupid show.