Quote: Seefacts @ October 8 2008, 11:16 AM BSTThat'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.
Well it's the prodcos for me, I grimly send out my pilots to they're doom like a Japanese admiral in the dog days of '45.
Quote: sootyj @ October 8 2008, 11:16 AM BSTI 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?
The good thing about the WritersRoom is they soak up all the rubbish. Most prodcos get a handful of stuff to read a month which they will always read, but they bring in about 1 person a year on the back of that.
Quote: sootyj @ October 8 2008, 11:18 AM BSTWell it's the prodcos for me, I grimly send out my pilots to they're doom like a Japanese admiral in the dog days of '45.
Well, producers, companies, same difference.
Quote: Marc P @ October 8 2008, 11:02 AM BSTYou 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.
I wrote my first sitcom script in 1994, and it's only been in the last couple of years I've made any real headway. That's not to say I've been plugging away every day for 14 years but still - it gives you an idea of how long it can take.
If you're f**ked off with the BBC, try other avenues. I find a great way in is to just contact producers on existing shows and say "Hey I've got a couple of sketches that I think would be great for your show, mind if I send you them?" Some will tell you to bugger off but some will say "Sure, send em over". You have to be cheeky, it's so important.
Quote: Griff @ October 8 2008, 11:17 AM BST'Fastest Finger First' is the obvious way to decide who the best people are. After all it works on Millionaire.
Who Wants To Be A Comedy Writer.
Every f**ker by the looks of it.
Quote: Griff @ October 8 2008, 11:17 AM BSTGreat idea. 'Fastest Finger First' is the obvious way to decide who the best people are. After all it works on Millionaire.
Just a tool for reducing it down to a reasonable number of scripts to be read.
So people can read 200 bad jokes as oposed to 2,000,000,001
And PSB is diferent to commercial, if the BBC aren't worried about pissing off Andrex and Weetabix. Then it's too much to ask them to put a few pennies into improving accessability.
I'm not suggesting socialist TV where every one gets literally 15 minutes of fame.
This is all reminding me of a study into why poor people vote Republican.
Basically if I'm going to be rich, I don't want those other poor folks trying to catch up with me.
Quote: Perry Nium @ October 8 2008, 11:23 AM BSTI wrote my first sitcom script in 1994, and it's only been in the last couple of years I've made any real headway. That's not to say I've been plugging away every day for 14 years but still - it gives you an idea of how long it can take.
If you're f**ked off with the BBC, try other avenues. I find a great way in is to just contact producers on existing shows and say "Hey I've got a couple of sketches that I think would be great for your show, mind if I send you them?" Some will tell you to bugger off but some will say "Sure, send em over". You have to be cheeky, it's so important.
That terrible show TLC took the writer 7 years to get on screen.
Perry (I always feel ridiculous calling you that as if it's your actual name) can you give us a bit of a timeline of your writing life just to show people that no success after a year really is nothing.
At 23 I feel really old, but in reality I've whizzed up the ladder compared to some. I should feel really lucky . . . But I don't, I'm an ungrateful shit.
Quote: Perry Nium @ October 8 2008, 11:23 AM BSTI wrote my first sitcom script in 1994, and it's only been in the last couple of years I've made any real headway. That's not to say I've been plugging away every day for 14 years but still - it gives you an idea of how long it can take.
Poor Sooty. That means he's going to have to 2021 to get anywhere with his sitcom.
Don't worry my porn film starring Gordon and Howard Brown is going quite nicely.
Does any one know a black porn star with googly eyes who can sing?
Quote: Seefacts @ October 8 2008, 11:25 AM BSTAt 23 I feel really old
I really can't believe that you're only 23.
Quote: Aaron @ October 8 2008, 11:37 AM BSTI really can't believe that you're only 23.
Why? Is it because us comedy writers are normally world-weary, but I'm fresh faced? That's it, isn't it?
And I'm 24 in a few weeks really. I'm hanging on to 'early 20s'
Quote: Aaron @ October 8 2008, 11:37 AM BSTI really can't believe that you're only 23.
Whom the gods wish to destroy they first make promising.
Quote: Seefacts @ October 8 2008, 11:39 AM BSTWhy? Is it because us comedy writers are normally world-weary, but I'm fresh faced? That's it, isn't it?
No, you just don't come across as so young, nor do you appear it.
Quote: Aaron @ October 8 2008, 11:48 AM BSTNo, you just don't come across as so young, nor do you appear it.
Thanks. I take that as compliment.
Rather than 'you're a curmudgeonly arseface grandad"
Quote: John Kelly @ October 8 2008, 11:03 AM BSTI think this raises a very relevant issue. Anonymity. Most people on this site, like most internet forums, use pseudonyms, and many do so and behave impeccably. But for some it does seem to be a means of hiding whilst making comments which that person wouldn't dream of making if they were readily identified. The level of vitriol which is sometimes used is, I'm sure, completely different from the type of discourse that person would employ if they were in a room with the person they're arguing/discussing with. Does this lack of openness lead to a more abusive and dysfunctional argument? I think so. Most of the comedy writers I've met in person have been charming and sensitive, but here it's all too frequently considered "honest" and "straight-talking" to say things those people would simply never say to that person's, be they a producer or fellow writer's, face.
If you're a writer and you want to presumably further your writing career, then posting here should surely be a means of helping. How can hiding your name do this? I remember reading Phil Barron's blog, where he said he couldn't believe how many writers use pseudonyms on the internet, when it is clearly in their interests to get their name as much "out there" as possible (he said it more articulately than that).
I really think it would help foster a more generous and humane level of debate and discussion if more people used their own names and knew that what they said would be immediately identified as by them. All trolls use pseudonyms and would be much more easily recognised in this way.
I know I'm going to be slaughtered for saying this when anonymity is the norm, and I genuinely am not attacking everyone who uses a pseudonym. I think generally this is a pleasant site and people are generous and open, but some are not. I really think if we've got the guts to criticise or attack other people's shows and other people's writing, we should have the guts to say who we are. Just like Michael Jacobs, Victoria Lloyd and other professionals do.
I couldn't agree more with this. If people didn't feel the need to hide behind pseudonyms there would be a lot more integrity on these boards.
Baring in mind you're actually me, that's a little cheeky.