Aargh - need your advice!

I've been working on a sitcom idea for a few years and am about to send out the pilot script to production companies. It's set on a football internet forum, using a dingy old room as an analogy for the forum(although there's hardly any football chat) and each episode will focus on on forummer's real life along with a typical day on the forum. I'd searched the web and this setting doesn't seem to have been used for a sitcom setting before.

HOWEVER, I noticed a play was on near where I live today called "Chatroom" by Enda Walsh. It debuted in 2004 and is set in a teenage suicide internet forum. Sounds like it may be darkly comic. Researching it now, it seems Film 4 are making a movie adaptation.

Question: Does this scupper my chances at all submitting it?

Mine is a broad comedy although the pilot focuses on middle-aged loser character who does contemplate suicide at one point in the script. Plus, mine only has one teenager, rest are 20-40 somethings wasting their days at work. As Dave Cohen said in script feedback mine's more like "Cheers online" than some dark teenage drama.

Anyone care to read it and give feedback, by the way?

No, ideas are redone time and time again and this seems like a rather original idea even if there has been a play done on it before.

I've had similar ideas (partly because I'm on a these boards so much) But never worked out formatting ect.

But you should be fine, good luck with this.

Quote: Paul W @ September 7 2008, 9:32 PM BST

No, ideas are redone time and time again and this seems like a rather original idea even if there has been a play done on it before.

I've had similar ideas (partly because I'm on a these boards so much) But never worked out formatting ect.

But you should be fine, good luck with this.

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Yes, agreed.
Good luck with it

Quote: Paul W @ September 7 2008, 9:32 PM BST

this seems like a rather original idea even if there has been a play done on it before.

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Aye, it's just the fact that it's Film 4 now making a movie of it. In my mind, my own sitcom was the perfect fit for E4/C4 of a Friday night.

So long as you can improve on the humour, you should be fine.

All the very best with it.

I suppose. I guess "Cheers" didn't stop "Early Doors" from being written, to give one example.

Premise is a lower consideration than funny and character. Get those two right and premise is immaterial.

But saying that. Glad you posted this up as an 'internet forum' sitcom was going to be my next-but-one project. Bugger, bugger, bollocks. I'll have to strike it off my list but at least it saves me the hassle of shredding my pilot when yours makes it to the screen.

Do one about two rag and bone men instead, Slag!

Mmm I wonder...

In some ways, Del boy Trotter had Harold Steptoe traits.. the frustration, difficult family, low on horse power..

Good luck with your script Mr Thread Owner, btw!

set it in a hospital...that's never ever been done..

I heard Grant and Naylor sold Red Dwarf as "Steptoe in Space".

Quote: SlagA @ September 8 2008, 11:27 AM BST

I heard Grant and Naylor sold Red Dwarf as "Steptoe in Space".

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Only to Albania though.

Quote: Marc P @ September 8 2008, 11:30 AM BST

Only to Albania though.

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