That's true. If there was any logic to this industry it would be a lot easier. So I try not to second guess the madness and rule out approaches.
BBC Writers Room on the Road Page 4
Quote: Marc P @ June 24 2008, 3:28 PM BSTThat's true. If there was any logic to this industry it would be a lot easier. So I try not to second guess the madness and rule out approaches.
Yeah, don't look for logic in the world of writing. It's like trying to find a nice flavour of Sunny Delight - you won't.
I think for comedy writers the writersroom is not ever really going to be the best way to get decent scripts noticed. You're really better off plugging away with production companies and trying to make contacts with producers/script editors.
I no longer send anything to the writersroom. The last sitcom I did send them, I got sent back nearly eight months later with no feedback whatsoever. That sitcom is now going through the commissioning process at the BBC...
Not saying it's not a place where newbie writers shouldn't send their material. I'm sure the writersroom over-worked staff are genuinely looking for new ideas and material. Perhaps it's just got organisational problems. For drama, especially radio, I would say it's probably a good place to go. As I say, not so sure for comedy.
If I can mix my metaphors there are a lot of hands who can drop your ball early on, but only a few at a later stage who can kick it in the back of the net.
I sent a radio play - comedy drama rather than sitcom - to the WR. After a longish wait I got the call to come in for a meeting. I was told they didn't want to do it as a play - so I figured they wanted to talk generally about stuff, so I travelled down from the wilderness and saw the producer and his main script editor. And they informed me they didn't want to do it as a play but as a series. And proceeded to ask me all sorts of questions about it - which I struggled to answer as I hadn't bothered reading it again, on the grounds of if they didn't want to do it - why bother? And it had been six months or so since I wrote it? Which was a bit of a mistake.
Anyway it got put up to the commissioning round as a series and they said no anyway.
But I had a nice pint in a Moons pub in Holborn.
Quote: Nick Rivers @ June 24 2008, 1:24 PM BSTHa ha! I was long listed for a sitcom competition way back when and subsequently informed, by letter, to consider myself as an elite member of society - 'fast tracked' in the writersroom'.
The most depressing thing reading this is I found myself in this same position (possibly same competition) but was farily green and only written the one script so didn't realise it was quiet an opportunity. Didn't even follow it up.
Wonder if is still holds... I must have the letter somewehre.
Quote: Marc P @ June 24 2008, 3:55 PM BSTBut I had a nice pint in a Moons pub in Holborn.
Mmmn... That's the main reason for going to these meetings, to get a free drink.
Quote: Tim Walker @ June 24 2008, 4:19 PM BSTMmmn... That's the main reason for going to these meetings, to get a free drink.
I had a free LUNCH a few weeks back. That's the benchmark for me now - if food is involved, I'm there.
Quote: Tim Walker @ June 24 2008, 4:19 PM BSTMmmn... That's the main reason for going to these meetings, to get a free drink.
Yeah but I had to pay for mine - this was before the meeting and it was bloody hot.
Quote: Seefacts @ June 24 2008, 4:23 PM BSTI had a free LUNCH a few weeks back. That's the benchmark for me now - if food is involved, I'm there.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
What c**t wrote that? I recently had a free lunch myself in Nandos courtesy of a producer, and all the more tasty it was too! Huzzah for free stuff!
Quote: Perry Nium @ June 24 2008, 8:54 PM BSTThere's no such thing as a free lunch.
What c**t wrote that? I recently had a free lunch myself in Nandos courtesy of a producer, and all the more tasty it was too! Huzzah for free stuff!
Hurray!!! Free!
Wait - Nandos? Isn't that shit?
Quote: Seefacts @ June 24 2008, 9:04 PM BSTWait - Nandos? Isn't that shit?
All restaurant chains are shit.
Still, if it's free, don't complain.
Quote: Winterlight @ June 24 2008, 9:20 PM BSTAll restaurant chains are shit.
Still, if it's free, don't complain.
I wouldn't say all are shit. Depends what you want from the eating experience. Restaurant chains are ideal for a pre-cinema meal.
Quote: Ian Wolf @ June 24 2008, 9:16 AM BSTHow come they not coming to the North-East, North Yorkshire, or Cumbria? You would think that they might come to Newcastle-upon-Tyne or York at least.
Why?
Has anyone attended any of these yet?
I'm going to the one in Brighton on 4th December and just wondered what it was like, how many people attended, types of questions asked etc...
The unfortunate thing is they mean it literally. The drive through the streets shouting through a megaphone from the back of a pick up truck like liberal democrats. I got tired after three miles so didn't hear their bit about breaking through the ten page barrier.