Marc, have you actually worked for the Writersroom reading unsolicited scripts?
I think we've upset someone Page 14
Quote: sootyj @ October 8 2008, 11:03 AM BSTBet there were many tears in Glasgow that night.
Was that night the Glasgow Post had a story of shock massive suicide by comedy producers.
Just messin'
No, they wished me good luck which was lovely.
Quote: Marc P @ October 8 2008, 11:02 AM BSTI'm not quite sure what you are saying here but you did say earlier.
'Maybe I'd be less bitter if the BBC hadn't so blatantly kicked the ladder away for new writers.'
A ladder here is a metaphor for help. That is encouraging, developing new talent. There is help there, but you need to do more than just send stuff in to writersroom I guess. Thousands and thousands of unsolicited scripts get sent to the BBC they have to deal with it all somehow. You say you have been writing for a year SootyJ? In the big scheme of things that isn't too long. Think how long it takes to become a professional in other spheres, a Lawyer, A Doctor etc. If you find your head is bleeding from bashing it on the wall of TVC have a look around and see if you can find a back door.
That I did, the back doors seem pretty firmly locked.
And writers room, with it's don't resend for 6 months (the processing time for your script). Put me off ever sending.
And yes I am trying other routes. Thing is they're all with companies that my taxes don't underwrite.
Some of these routes seem to be going quite nicely.
And the BBC won't even read my main product which is screenplay and sketch.
Mark they're used to be opendoor for aspiring comedy writers at the BBC. It was called Weekending.
Check out just how many of todays writers started there. 6 weeks of Tilt is just not even close.
Quote: sootyj @ October 8 2008, 10:47 AM BSTWhere is said help? I found the BBC to be a most inaccessable place, most prodcos respond to phone or e-mail and give feedback, unless weighed down under sheer weight of response.
If some people have had such help and success with the BBC and production companies, whilst you hit constant brick walls, then perhaps that is more indicative of your writing.
And I do hope that your written English is far better when submitting work than it is when submitting posts.
Quote: sootyj @ October 8 2008, 11:08 AM BSTMark they're used to be opendoor for aspiring comedy writers at the BBC. It was called Weekending.
Too right. Weekending was a great show at blooding new talent. The News Huddlines also performed a similar role.
Quote: sootyj @ October 8 2008, 11:08 AM BSTThat I did, the back doors seem pretty firmly locked.
And writers room, with it's don't resend for 6 months (the processing time for your script). Put me off ever sending.
And yes I am trying other routes. Thing is they're all with companies that my taxes don't underwrite.
Some of these routes seem to be going quite nicely.
And the BBC won't even read my main product which is screenplay and sketch.
Mark they're used to be opendoor for aspiring comedy writers at the BBC. It was called Weekending.
Check out just how many of todays writers started there. 6 weeks of Tilt is just not even close.
There are less places in terms of the BBC have an open policy, but with a lot of producers being freelance and there's more production companies than ever, avenues have opened elsewhere.
It's tough, but possible.
In the last three years my work has been read by about 25 producers. Five probably took an interest, the rest gave me the old 'Really enjoyed it, but what do you expect me to do with it?!?!" and probably two told me I was shit.
It's not that people don't read it, it's the next step that's hard - no bugger will commit or take a risk.
Quote: chipolata @ October 8 2008, 11:05 AM BSTMarc, have you actually worked for the Writersroom reading unsolicited scripts?
No. Not a job I would fancy truth to tell.
Quote: Aaron @ October 8 2008, 11:10 AM BSTIf some people have had such help and success with the BBC and production companies, whilst you hit constant brick walls, then perhaps that is more indicative of your writing.
And I do hope that your written English is far better when submitting work than it is when submitting posts.
The problem with people being freelance is they have to go with the odds - and where the work is.
Can someone with a mortgage to pay risk trying to help a new writer when they might have actual work being offered elsewhere.
I got lucky with a producer who was in-demand but met with me, even did some script editing and gave me my big break. Not many are nice enough to do that.
Quote: Aaron @ October 8 2008, 11:10 AM BSTIf some people have had such help and success with the BBC and production companies, whilst you hit constant brick walls, then perhaps that is more indicative of your writing.
And I do hope that your written English is far better when submitting work than it is when submitting posts.
I don't mind rejection, it's a useful learning tool.
It's when there's no place to send stuff in the first place.
Quote: chipolata @ October 8 2008, 11:11 AM BSTToo right. Weekending was a great show at blooding new talent. The News Huddlines also performed a similar role.
The trouble is that's all Weekending was great at. I was a regular listener and the ratio of misses to hits was woeful. The News Huddlines had a much higher standard of gag.
Quote: sootyj @ October 8 2008, 11:08 AM BST.
Mark they're used to be opendoor for aspiring comedy writers at the BBC. It was called Weekending.
Sorry SootyJ wasn't really talking about sketch shows as I know f**k all about them really. I don't think MichealJ is too involved with them although the comedy college (which is quite a big in I spose ladderwise) is dealing with them.
Quote: sootyj @ October 8 2008, 11:14 AM BSTI don't mind rejection, it's a useful learning tool.
It's when there's no place to send stuff in the first place.
That's not quite true.
As I said, I've had 20 odd producers read my work - it's the bit AFTER that's a f**king pain.
I think what the BBC should do is have a full script unit where maybe if you get a recommendation from someone they'll take a proper look.
I liked weekending, it had an ace theme tune as well.
Besides there's enough dodgy professional sketch shows out there.
I suppose the problem is any open access show will be avalanched in these internet days.
Maybe a rule of only reading the first 200 emails?
Quote: Graham Bandage @ October 8 2008, 11:14 AM BSTThe trouble is that's all Weekending was great at. I was a regular listener and the ratio of misses to hits was woeful. The News Huddlines had a much higher standard of gag.
Agreed. But both shows were long running and always there. Now we seem to get one new BBC7 show a year.
Thing is they're all with companies that my taxes don't underwrite.
Sooty you keep bringing up the issue of your taxes. This is absolutely irrelevant. Actually the fact that the BBC is license-funded probably means they have more responsibility to be tight with their money and not waste it humouring every person in Britain who reckons his script deserves to be read by them with a one-week turnaround.
Also, your taxes do underwrite a lot of prodcos. Angeleye for example exist almost entirely on selling shows to the BBC, in return for taxpayers money. The BBC own a significant share in Baby Cow. Etc.
Maybe a rule of only reading the first 200 emails?
Great idea. 'Fastest Finger First' is the obvious way to decide who the best people are. After all it works on Millionaire.