Lee Henman
Monday 3rd November 2008 3:32am [Edited]
5,183 posts
Quote: EmsJones @ November 2 2008, 10:18 PM GMT
Forgive me if a similar question has been asked before - I am new to the forum.
I am currently writing a letter to agents/producers to ask that they might look at my script. However I am unsure of several things. I have only ever written fiction before and am a lot clearer as to how to submit that to publishers/agents. (A covering letter with the first 3 chapters of a completed manuscript...) However, when it comes to a TV Sitcom I am unsure what the 'protocol' is, if there is one. If it is a six-part TV Sitcom would a producer expect you to have written all six episodes? Or are they happy to review the first episode and see an outline for the further five episodes? Do I send the first episode with a covering letter, or do I 'approach' with a letter first? Do I even need to mention that I intend for it to be a six part series? Any rules? Anything I should know that if I didn't know would make me look clueless?
Hi Ems and welcome.
Firstly, write episode one of your sitcom, and have a very rough outline - maybe a paragraph or two - of the rest of the episodes. Then rewrite your pilot until it's as funny as it can possibly be without killing the reader with laughter. Then decide which producer you're going to contact, and send them a friendly email telling them who you are, what you've done, how you really admire their work and could you possibly send them your sitcom? At that point they'll either a) Ignore you, b) say "no" or c) say "yes". In my experience about half say yes.
And then it gets hard.
Or you could try the Writer's Room. I can't say I'm keen on that option but others swear by it. Actually I swear by it too. But in a different way.
Good luck!
PS: Don't even think about getting an agent yet - it's unlikely anyone will be interested until you have ongoing projects with tv types.
