You can train yourself to read scripts quite quickly. BBC producers certainly don't spend that long on scripts. I'll wager that when Michael Jacob was reading through College of Comedy entries he spent very little time on each script (which probably explains the shortlist).
Quote: chipolata @ June 24 2008, 9:43 AM BSTYou can train yourself to read scripts quite quickly. BBC producers certainly don't spend that long on scripts. I'll wager that when Michael Jacob was reading through College of Comedy entries he spent very little time on each script (which probably explains the shortlist).
Was that a zing to the winners?
Quote: David Bussell @ June 24 2008, 9:46 AM BSTWas that a zing to the winners?
As if. I have the upmost respect for all of them. Even the creepy twins. 
I'd imagine the amount of people who have time to sit down and write a 1 minute sketch outweighs the people who have time to sit down and write a 30 minute sitcom.
Personally, I've got a few vague ideas for characters and scenes but nothing is properly gelling into a sitcom idea which makes me want to sit and spend the time on it. I only stumbled into writing sketches by chance anyway.
Also, I guess it's easier to get told that a sketch you spent 10 minutes writing is a bit poo than being told a full sitcom script is rubbish.
Having said that, I think I'm thick-skinned enough to post it in critique if I ever do get round to writing a sitcom pilot.
Quote: Afinkawan @ June 24 2008, 10:02 AM BSTI'd imagine the amount of people who have time to sit down and write a 1 minute sketch outweighs the people who have time to sit down and write a 30 minute sitcom.
Personally, I've got a few vague ideas for characters and scenes but nothing is properly gelling into a sitcom idea which makes me want to sit and spend the time on it. I only stumbled into writing sketches by chance anyway.
Also, I guess it's easier to get told that a sketch you spent 10 minutes writing is a bit poo than being told a full sitcom script is rubbish.
Having said that, I think I'm thick-skinned enough to post it in critique if I ever do get round to writing a sitcom pilot.
Exactly my thoughts, I could have wriitten that 
but plagarism is much easier 
Quote: Badge @ June 24 2008, 12:30 AM BSTFrom all the time I've been on here I think almost every occasion someone puts up a sitcom episode they are told "it's too long, do it in bits". Then when it comes in bits people say "blah blah blah - can't really get a flavour of it from bits and bobs". I know I've said both of these. So it's much easier to get forum feedback about shorter pieces. That's my reckoning, anyway.
I have noticed that too Badge, it is frustrating
Ditto what Afinkawan said.
I am one of the more prolific posters of sketches. It is something I have recently stumbled into, and part of the learning process has been throwing stuff against the wall and seeing what sticks. I am often genuinely surprised at what floats and what sinks. I can occasionally be chagrinned at criticism, but at most I have invested an hour or two, so it is no big deal.
In the past I have written sitcom pilots, and would do so again if I had a strong enough idea. But I don't, and I didn't when I wrote my previous efforts, which is why they got knocked back. Sitcoms are hard. But yes, I would post on here if I did come up with something, because although it might be painful, it is a much quicker way of getting feedback than sending to producers, and it is a chance to iron out problems so you can make the best possible pitch when you do send it off. I also try to make the effort to read others attempts, and to point out problems without being too damning. Though the question does arise whether it is kind to encourage someone who clearly does not have the first idea.
Timbo said:
"Though the question does arise whether it is kind to encourage someone who clearly does not have the first idea."
Some people on this site are graduates in comedy others are in primary school, but surely All ought to be encouraged?
Quote: Sofa_Matt @ June 24 2008, 10:28 AM BSTTimbo said:
"Though the question does arise whether it is kind to encourage someone who clearly does not have the first idea."Some people on this site are graduates in comedy others are in primary school, but surely All ought to be encouraged?
The range of age and experience does make it difficult to judge the level at which to pitch criticism. In any case being a moral coward, if I cannot find anything positive or constructive to say, I say nothing.
So if Timbo says nothing about your sketch, you're best assuming it's cack.
May I suggest that Timbo posts a comment on every work currently in critique so we can be assurred that he doesn't mean to offend anyone 
My current sitcom project evolved from several sketches I wrote, filmed and sent off to Jon Plowman. This led to a meeting with him: he said he liked them and told me to develop the characters, plot and dialogue, and stretch it to 30 mins. So imho sketches can lead to sitcom writing.
I miss Jon Plowman because he 'got me' and that's why I think I really lucked out: I met him just as he was on his way out as Head of Comedy! 
Lesson learned: Comedy is very subjective so instead of blindly bombarding prospective producers with my scripts and sketches I am hunting down procos whom I think will 'get me'.
There are far too many good sketches for me to comment on all of them.
Phew.
Quote: Timbo @ June 24 2008, 10:46 AM BSTThere are far too many good sketches for me to comment on all of them.
Phew.
Nice work
Quote: Timbo @ June 24 2008, 10:35 AM BSTThe range of age and experience does make it difficult to judge the level at which to pitch criticism.
I don't think the experience of the writer should affect the level of criticism pitched, if it is constructive. They may not quite understand what you're getting at but at least they have it pointed out and have a chance to try looking at other writing and see if they can get what you're on about.
I know you're not supposed to re-write people's stuff for them in critique but the times when people have taken a small part and said "I would do this..." are often the most useful. I know I found that when my sketches have been tweaked by a proper script editor, it was really good to see what they'd done.