British Comedy Guide

Starting Out?

I noticed that there are a lot of people on here who have written for tv sitcoms, shows etc. This is something i'm working on too but am not sure where to begin. Any tips? How did you guys do it? :)

Look at the BBC Writers Room site for a start.

And put some of your mateial on here for us to steal - sorry critique.

Welcome by the way.

The main thing is to keep writing and writing and writing - whilst getting useful feedback and accepting you're probably going to be rubbish for a while.

The good news is, most writers can't write so being mediocre really sets you out from the crowd. The bad news is, it takes a fair while to gain enough experience to rise to the ranks of mediocrity.

If you're already good enough, try submitting stuff to the production companies listed on this site. Or I wrote these strategy guides as an alternative path to forging a career. I've no idea how useful they are - they're more about a long term committment to a writing career than a get rich quick scheme; but they might be helpful.

http://phillbarron.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/strategy-part-one/

http://phillbarron.wordpress.com/2008/03/07/strategy-part-two/

http://phillbarron.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/strategy-part-three/

Or they might not.

Unless what you are actually writing is the treatment and not the script. In which case a 3-page treatment would give you a pretty action packed ep.

One small tip, don't use the phrase "pad out" in any of your meetings. It makes production companies very ervous. Write long and edit well.

Quote: Jake How @ May 18 2008, 3:04 PM BST

One small tip, don't use the phrase "pad out" in any of your meetings. It makes production companies very nervous.

Wise words.

Thank you.

I guess "I'll just get my pencil and pad out" is OK.

Quote: Jake How @ May 18 2008, 3:04 PM BST

Unless what you are actually writing is the treatment and not the script. In which case a 3-page treatment would give you a pretty action packed ep.

One small tip, don't use the phrase "pad out" in any of your meetings. It makes production companies very ervous. Write long and edit well.

Am I missing something? What does this refer to?

I think one of his alternate personalities took over and wrote something random.

I was giving the member a tip.

He means... erm.... *muffled mumbling* Does that answer your question?

Quote: Jake How @ May 18 2008, 3:04 PM BST

One small tip, don't use the phrase "pad out" in any of your meetings. It makes production companies very ervous. Write long and edit well.

Where did you get that advice from?

I am a writer it is tip what I picked up why do you ask ?

Quote: Jake How @ May 18 2008, 7:09 PM BST

I am a writer it is tip what I picked up why do you ask ?

It's not really a tip. It's quite obvious, don't you think?

Are you a writer then? I thought you were an actor?

Yeah but the person is new so I thought they may not know it.

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