Basically, I just want to know how I send sketches to production companies. Do I make a script of a sketch show and send them off that way, or do I just e-mail them a few sketches and see if they like them? As you can tell I've never attempted to sell any sketches so any advice would be gratefully appreciated.
(P.S. sorry if this has been asked before)
Having not done it myself, I'd send a pilot of 30 minutes stuff. That's about 15-20 skits. Have a mix of short, and long. Keep an eye on reasonable budget, and thematic integrity.
E.g. if your sending in the new Jam, don't include a skit on jelly, if it's the new Russ Abbott's Mad House don't include necrophilia. Always looks to running, and repetition (e.g. can characters be used week in week out).
Also phone in advance to find out if they're taking stuff, and if so who to send it to. If you poke around the BBC comissioning site you'll find companies they tkae stuff from.
Remember you need to be funny, you also need to show understand how the system works. e.g. you can produce 15 humerous tea time slot stuff if that's what they want.
It maybe easier to hunt dwon prodcos and ask if you can ssend individual bits.
Final word very few places take skits, so your best looking for the company that actually wants them.+
About 18 months ago three of us sent a script of a 30 minute sketch show with links and everything to the BBC Writers Room.
Haven't heard a word so I wouldn't recomend that way.
I've not seen anywhere that'll take sketches.
I'm afraid the way to get into sketch shows is via contacts you have.
If it's telly, then you've no chance at all at getting stuff on via the route of sending it to production companies.
Quote: Seefacts @ April 18 2008, 9:26 PM BSTI've not seen anywhere that'll take sketches.
I'm afraid the way to get into sketch shows is via contacts you have.
If it's telly, then you've no chance at all at getting stuff on via the route of sending it to production companies.
So, sending sketches/quickies to TV production companies if you have had nothing commissioned before is a complete waste of time?
Quote: Nigel Kelly @ April 18 2008, 9:29 PM BSTSo, sending sketches/quickies to TV production companies if you have had nothing commissioned before is a complete waste of time?
Obviously I can't say that for sure, but I wouldn't do it.
If I did, I'd target a specific producer on a specific show, but even backed up by some previous work, I'd still think they might not be interested.
Producers have got hundreds of writers to ask.
David Writers Room specifically don't take sketches. You might as well have sent them a cheese sandwich.
Three main routes,
1 Put your pilot together (individual skits are a waist of time), and send to prodcos. Check out BBC commissioning site, for companies they use.
2 Check out Writers room, and else where in general for places that might take stuff. Do every thing you can to get a phone number.
3 Enter BBC competitions and open talent slots e.g. Tilt, which is still running. Persist.
Keep practising, keep writing, and look for opportunities. Writers room produces very, very little of what they get sent, and take months to read it.
In my experience researching opportunities is something you have to dedicate a fair bit of time. Also hate to sound paranoid, but if some one finds an opportunity, they are not going to share it with you.
A prodco that knows inviting you to write for them, means they get a 100 or so other scripts from people who read your posts, will not ask you to write for them. So do your own research.
And at the risk of sounding negative, don't assume your work is good enough. Get feed back, get it on the stage (alot of skit shows will take free stuff), or youtube and see what people say about it.