Hi,
Good to meet you all.
Just had a look on the Comedy Lab website about submitting something to them. However, it doesn't say what they need, whether it's a 30 minute script, a treatment, a one line outline of your idea, I'm not sure what to send them.
I would appreciate any advice
Cheers,
Mike
Looks like it's anything goes. As much as you have; scripts plus any filmed bits and pieces.
Dan
That said, if you don't have prod co backing the chance of them being interested is incredibly slim.
But if you send nothing at all, the chances are even less...
Dan
Quote: swerytd @ August 29 2008, 11:09 AM BSTBut if you send nothing at all, the chances are even less...
Dan
Well said
They might be interested if your script was absolutely amazing.
Quote: Mikey J @ August 29 2008, 11:19 AM BSTThey might be interested if your script was absolutely amazing.
I think a lot of people would be interested in a script that was amazing.
Quote: David Bussell @ August 29 2008, 11:06 AM BSTThat said, if you don't have prod co backing the chance of them being interested it incredibly slim.
Correct.
Quote: Mikey J @ August 29 2008, 11:19 AM BSTThey might be interested if your script was absolutely amazing.
The issue there is C4 don't make shows. So it's not really in their interest to do anything with a really good script, as they know that an indie company is probably going to bring them something equally good with actors, directer and producer already attached.
It's also no coincidence that a vast majority of the performers and writers AREN'T making their debuts.
Quote: Mikey J @ August 29 2008, 11:19 AM BSTThey might be interested if your script was absolutely amazing.
There really aren't any 'amazing scripts'. A script is either commissionable or it isn't.
And scripts that got backed are often not much different to scripts that didn't get backed in terms of quality - or 'amazement' - they just fit the current requirements more accurately.
The idea that if you write an amazing script you will succeed is rubbish fostered by people like Steven Moffat, who wrote a broadcastable script and then got a leg up.
Quote: Godot Taxis @ August 29 2008, 1:09 PM BSTThere really aren't any 'amazing scripts'. A script is either commissionable or it isn't.
And scripts that got backed are often not much different to scripts that didn't get backed in terms of quality - or 'amazement' - they just fit the current requirements more accurately.
The idea that if you write an amazing script you will succeed is rubbish fostered by people like Steven Moffat, who wrote a broadcastable script and then got a leg up.
Yeah, I think it's very easy for successful writers to dish out advice when, in all probabilty, their path to success was far more random, probably.
Take every opportunity that presents itself. Don't think "I haven't got A or B so I can't send it." Just send it in. You won't get people to recognise your name (in a good or bad way) if they never see your name. But only treat this as one thread in a strategy. Another thread in your plan should be getting a producer interested as others have highlighted.
The more methods you identify and use, the more you maximise your chances. It's rarely a question of pure script quality. Many other factors come into play (as SeeFacts and Godot point out) on whether a script gets produced - as can be demonstrated by some of the **** that makes its way to the screen.
Despite what we're told it isn't always cream that floats to the surface, any visit to the lav can tell you that. 
I think that the main quality that a production company look for in a script is cash. If they can produce it for as little money as possible, while hopefully making as much money as they can from it, they will want it. It could absolute rubbish, as long as they can make a bit of cash from it.
Quote: Mike Dan-Carter @ August 29 2008, 9:55 AM BSTHi,
Good to meet you all.
Just had a look on the Comedy Lab website about submitting something to them. However, it doesn't say what they need, whether it's a 30 minute script, a treatment, a one line outline of your idea, I'm not sure what to send them.
I would appreciate any advice
Cheers,
Mike
Personally I'd send them a treatment and a few sample pages. Also, think about casting. For Comedy Labs you should be thinking "up and coming" as opposed to "established". You're far more likely to succeed with Comedy Lab stuff if you've got a very clear vision and who you're writing it for. So the type of people I'm talking about are new kids on the block like We Are Klang, Pappy's Fun Club, Fat Tongue etc. These are the kind of people that're making waves at the moment and everyone wants to work with, so (especially with Comedy Lab) you're always going to doing yourself favours by coming up with ideas specifically tailored to the rising stars of comedy. So I think it's quite important to keep your ear to the ground and take notice of who's hot at the moment - which is why everyone f**ks off to Edinburgh every year.
I'm not saying you HAVE to have someone in mind for your Comedy Lab masterpiece, but believe me it does help. I know some of you will think this is bollocks, but I'm just passing on what I was told. (By the guy that writes the cheques for Comedy Labs, so its advice worth thinking about).
As for having a prod co attached - yes obviously it helps but I believe Comedy Lab has specific people in place to read spec stuff too. You might want to just go to someone like Objective or Hat Trick and say "Hey, I've got this great idea for a Comedy Lab, what do you think?" Don't be scared to fling your stuff at them just because they're big telly people - if they like it and think there's potential, they'll snap yer f**king hand off.
Perry, did you read my last two posts on the second page of the "Comedy Lab 2009" thread? Tell me what you think.
Quote: catskillz @ August 31 2008, 7:54 PM BSTPerry, did you read my last two posts on the second page of the "Comedy Lab 2009" thread? Tell me what you think.
Just read them. Sorry, I'm a bit pissed at the mo (just got back from the pub) but to reiterate, I think your best bet is to just send in a general outline of your idea first, with dialogue / character examples. And try to to make it talent - oriented if you can. After all, Comedy Lab is a showcase for up and coming talent.
Tim's involved in it too and sounds like he's getting places so take a leaf out of his book?
Oh and the other thing - make it sound hilarious. Sounds obviousd but it's amazing how many people forget that your pitch has to be FUNNY. Best of luck mate.