Sitcom writing as a career Page 5

Quote: M Lewis @ April 25 2008, 9:58 AM BST

a) Wheres he generating £500k pa from if his only source were limited to the Office DVD sales?

b) and £300k pa net at 45 is not "rich", don't forget he's got zero pension or savings. Its not like he's had 20 years of that which someone in a "normal" job would have earnt working upto it.

I'm not saying he was broke - i'm saying without the success BEYOND the office (which was helped massively by the US office) he wouldn't be rich.

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IDIOT!

I want to make childish 'retarded' faces at you

Then you are over emotional. Try yoga?

DVD sales are worth a lot more if you're an actor. The writers still don't get that much (around 6% of gross profits). One of the supporting actors in Little Britain earned a million through the DVD and overseas sales.

Quote: YesNo @ April 25 2008, 3:54 PM BST

DVD sales are worth a lot more if you're an actor. The writers still don't get that much (around 6% of gross profits). One of the supporting actors in Little Britain earned a million through the DVD and overseas sales.

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A million dvd sales at 12 quid = 6% is 720k.

And take into account 2 series and the Xmas special. It's still not bad.

And Extras.

M Lewis is right though. The US version will have made him a mint.

Quote: YesNo @ April 25 2008, 3:54 PM BST

DVD sales are worth a lot more if you're an actor. The writers still don't get that much (around 6% of gross profits). One of the supporting actors in Little Britain earned a million through the DVD and overseas sales.

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I wonder how many writers then are tempted to write themselves in, just a cheeky little cameo in season 1 then when you get picked up for the second season make that a major part (ala steve merchant with Extras!)

Quote: M Lewis @ April 25 2008, 4:09 PM BST

I wonder how many writers then are tempted to write themselves in, just a cheeky little cameo in season 1 then when you get picked up for the second season make that a major part (ala steve merchant with Extras!)

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I bet there are loads of sneaky ways to squeeze out that extra money.

I'm sure Armando Iannucci said, of Phil Cornwell's I'm Alan Partridge appearances, he got more money as he was in all 6 episodes, while actually only being in the studio once - having done everything in one go.

I also wonder if someone directs AND produces if they get two fees?

talking of extra money and the US office....seems half the cast are the writers - and they always get more screen time and better gags when they are the named writer!

Quote: M Lewis @ April 25 2008, 4:20 PM BST

talking of extra money and the US office....seems half the cast are the writers - and they always get more screen time and better gags when they are the named writer!

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On Friends all the writers get listed as 'producers' which I'm sure isn't quite true.

I think it's just a way to keep everything equal and for them to get a bit more cash.

Yep. I think it might also mean that they can hire them exclusively and pay them enough to make it worth their while. They see the process right through to the end of filming. Most writers over here aren't paid to be around during filming.

I do think Stephen Merchant did more acting in Extras because he saw how much more Gervais made.

Quote: YesNo @ April 25 2008, 6:01 PM BST

Yep. I think it might also mean that they can hire them exclusively and pay them enough to make it worth their while. They see the process right through to the end of filming. Most writers over here aren't paid to be around during filming.

I do think Stephen Merchant did more acting in Extras because he saw how much more Gervais made.

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Yeah, I do wish the UK would start doing things a bit more like the US.

Though, according to the UK Writer's Guild agreement the writer should be entitled to 80 quid per day he's on set.

Quote: YesNo @ April 25 2008, 6:01 PM BST

I do think Stephen Merchant did more acting in Extras because he saw how much more Gervais made.

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Must be frustrating for a writer to see someone dance about with BAFTAs and fat wallets for reading out stuff YOU wrote! The temptation to shoehorn yourself in must be obvious.

Quote: M Lewis @ April 25 2008, 6:03 PM BST

Must be frustrating for a writer to see someone dance about with BAFTAs and fat wallets for reading out stuff YOU wrote! The temptation to shoehorn yourself in must be obvious.

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Merchant is arguably the funnier of the two.

He shaded Gervais on the radio, and the way he kept Elton John waiting at that award ceremony as pay back for what happened to Gervais at the Diana gig was ace.