How would one earn the most money, by a) writing and starring in a radio sitcom, or b) just writing a T.V. sitcom?
Money question
In the long run, probably a) just because you'd then have the clout of writer-performer, rather than just writer.
I've no idea just for a one-off series, if that's what you mean.
Dan
Wrong question, which are you most likely to start earning with?
The answer is radio (which I think always pays less).
You'd earn vastly more writing for tv is the short answer. But as Sooty says, getting a sitcom commissioned and broadcast is probably a 1000-1 shot, whereas doing the same on radio is possibly 500-1.
Depressing odds.
Plus, on BBC Radio if you write a play, you get less money if you're a new writer!
What the f**k?
Either the things good or it isn't...
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 18 2008, 9:55 AM BSTYou'd earn vastly more writing for tv is the short answer. But as Sooty says, getting a sitcom commissioned and broadcast is probably a 1000-1 shot, whereas doing the same on radio is possibly 500-1.
Depressing odds.
The odds aren't the same for everyone though, are they?
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 18 2008, 9:55 AM BSTYou'd earn vastly more writing for tv is the short answer. But as Sooty says, getting a sitcom commissioned and broadcast is probably a 1000-1 shot, whereas doing the same on radio is possibly 500-1.
Depressing odds.
I rather thought the odds would be worse than that. I'm not saying they're great or anything, just not as depressing as I had assumed.
Quote: Seefacts @ July 18 2008, 12:59 PM BSTThe odds aren't the same for everyone though, are they?
That's true. For most people it's probably worse.
I actually had a meeting with a producer a while ago about a project we're working on together and he said "This is really good but the chances of us getting it on the telly are almost nil".
I felt like saying "So what the f**k am I doing sat here talking to you then?" but I didn't, obviously.
Sorry, I'm sounding really maudlin aren't I? Let me put it another way. Yes the chances of getting your sitcom / sketch show made and broadcast may be 1000-1 or more, but everytime you turn in a new idea the odds swing further in your favour.
And you can further improve your odds by doing other stuff like entering BBC comps, going to workshops etc and getting your name known which is almost as important as being able to write a cracking script. So it's not all bad news.
Just mostly.
Quote: steve by any other name @ July 18 2008, 1:07 PM BSTI rather thought the odds would be worse than that. I'm not saying they're great or anything, just not as depressing as I had assumed.
I think Perry was just guesstimating. But as Seefacts says, they're the same for everyone.
So if you get a script to the development stage, what are the odds then, still stacked against you probably? Anyone know how many scripts are in development at any one time?
Quote: steve by any other name @ July 18 2008, 7:45 PM BSTSo if you get a script to the development stage, what are the odds then, still stacked against you probably? Anyone know how many scripts are in development at any one time?
Loads.
Before paid development there's a kind floaty no-man's land where it MIGHT go to development, or it might not.
I'm floating there right now.
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 18 2008, 8:46 PM BSTI'm floating there right now.
*Waves*
Hello! Cold out here, isn't it!
Write it for radio then and if it gets on try to adapt it for TV.
Thanks everyone.