What the BBC want....
"She is keen on Lab Rats (set in a science lab)" 
She looks like she should be at school, nevermind fannying about talking about comedy at the BBC.
The BBC really frustrate me with matters such as this one. Ms. Lumsden says she wants more sketch shows, yet the controller of BBC Three wants sitcom. Surely they can come to a mutual decision as to what they want from writers.
Little Britain and Gavin & Stacey obviously did raise the bar higher as those shows are still being played almost everyday on BBC Three. The request is for more studio sitcoms with an audience, does this mean that when I send them my idea (which isn't suited to a studio audience) will they try and change this to suit them if it's good enough?!
Quote: Mike Dan-Carter @ September 25 2008, 1:19 PM BSTT The request is for more studio sitcoms with an audience, does this mean that when I send them my idea (which isn't suited to a studio audience) will they try and change this to suit them if it's good enough?!
Probably not.
Quote: Mike Dan-Carter @ September 25 2008, 1:19 PM BSTThe request is for more studio sitcoms with an audience, does this mean that when I send them my idea (which isn't suited to a studio audience) will they try and change this to suit them if it's good enough?!
Interestingly (for me, at least), one of the sitcoms I've got on the go for ITV/BBC was originally written as what I thought could only work as a single camera piece. Though working on the re-drafts with my producer & director, it became obvious that it could also work as a multi-camera studio sitcom. (Often re-writing with budgetary i.e. set considerations seems to make this a more open proposition.) So my commissioning draft has (hopefully) the added bonus of satisfying both potential ways of shooting it.
What frustrates me is that while it's easy to issue pronouncements like this, the BBC seem unwilling or unable to directly engage writers and give more specific direction on what they want.
In my case, they recently rejected a script of mine despite telling me they liked the characters, the story and the jokes. Their problem? The setting. This would have been very easy to change, but because the script had already been rejected, I was told it could not be altered & resubmitted.
Surely if they were serious about encouraging writers, they would allow for more discussion on the direction of scripts, rather than out of hand rejecting them? Until they are willing to put that effort in on their end, then I suspect they are not all THAT serious about bringing in new talent.
Bah. Etc.
Quote: Symon @ September 25 2008, 6:39 PM BSTWhat frustrates me is that while it's easy to issue pronouncements like this, the BBC seem unwilling or unable to directly engage writers and give more specific direction on what they want.
In my case, they recently rejected a script of mine despite telling me they liked the characters, the story and the jokes. Their problem? The setting. This would have been very easy to change, but because the script had already been rejected, I was told it could not be altered & resubmitted.
Surely if they were serious about encouraging writers, they would allow for more discussion on the direction of scripts, rather than out of hand rejecting them? Until they are willing to put that effort in on their end, then I suspect they are not all THAT serious about bringing in new talent.
Bah. Etc.
I take it that was the Writer's Room?
Why do the BBC suddenly decide they know what the public wants? Do they do opinion polls?
the public are given what the BBC think they know the public want & the public follows what they are given.
Damn those Stalinist bastards.
Quote: Symon @ September 25 2008, 6:39 PM BSTWhat frustrates me is that while it's easy to issue pronouncements like this, the BBC seem unwilling or unable to directly engage writers and give more specific direction on what they want.
In my case, they recently rejected a script of mine despite telling me they liked the characters, the story and the jokes. Their problem? The setting. This would have been very easy to change, but because the script had already been rejected, I was told it could not be altered & resubmitted.
Surely if they were serious about encouraging writers, they would allow for more discussion on the direction of scripts, rather than out of hand rejecting them? Until they are willing to put that effort in on their end, then I suspect they are not all THAT serious about bringing in new talent.
Bah. Etc.
This is quite common with Writersroom feedback (and I assume it was the Writersroom) if you're lucky enough to get a reply. They tend to sing the praises of the script before delivering the overriding reason why they won't be taking the project any further. I certainly wouldn't give up on the project on their say so, though.
Quote: Symon @ September 25 2008, 6:39 PM BST.. because the script had already been rejected, I was told it could not be altered & resubmitted.
This isn't Writersroom is it?
Is it a BBC 'rule' that if a Prodco pitch something to them and they reject it, then it cannot be resubmited under any guise?
I seem to remember somebody (Seefacts?) having some such grief a while ago.
Why are they so awkward?!
I suppose due to their busy nature they can only be bothered with looking twice at something they consider a masterpiece.
Yep - this was through a production company. It's possible the BBC were just being 'nice' I suppose and maybe they thought the script was rubbish. Still, I'd rather they'd told me that straight!
As for the Writer's Room - I know from a contact that Kate Rowland has read my script and liked it. But have I had any feedback...?
I have to say, I'm not impressed.