Quote: Bad dog @ November 4 2008, 1:53 PM GMTI wouldn't have minded a letter saying "this is crap", but they misconstrued what my script was, said they couldn't accept scripts for existing shows, and sent it back unread. If they'd at least read page 1 it might have been different. I think they just want to lighten the load by rejecting stuff as soon as possible so they don't have to read it.
What show did they think you'd written a script for?
I hope you don't mind if I keep mum at the moment, chip, I'm still hoping to get it going with a producer. I just felt they hadn't given it more than 10 seconds thought. At least "we read it and thought it was shit" would have let me know how I was doing!
Did they think it was an existing show SIMPLY by looking at the title page?
Quote: Bad dog @ November 4 2008, 1:59 PM GMTI hope you don't mind if I keep mum at the moment, chip
I do mind, actually. 
Yes, I think so, Mikey. Actually, I did consider that before sending it in, and considered various titles. But in the end I put enough of a title and a subtitle on it that I thought they would be able to read at least the 10 pages that would give them an idea about its worth.
I think I will try with a producer next, if I continue. Or just forget it and move on to another project.
Was it "Only Fools And Horses, written by Bad Dog?
Sounds good, only fools, horses and bad dogs work! It was actually a mockumentary film-type thing, with a roving narrator. Obviously not their standard 30 min sitcom. I'm not giving up yet, because I know there's some professional quality stuff in it.
Sounds a bit like People Like Us.
Never heard of that, but I just looked it up on Wikipedia. I think I would enjoy that.
The narrator tells us the story, while getting into a few scrapes along with his cameraman. Along the way, they have various faux interviews, and bits of footage. It's along the lines of Spinal Tap, and the Rutles, basically.
I thought People Like Us was great when it was first screened, but when I recently watched a couple of episodes on DVD it seemed a bit mean spirited. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for laughing at crushed dreams...
Quote: Timbo @ November 4 2008, 3:26 PM GMTMaybe I just wasn't in the mood for laughing at crushed dreams...
That's the only reason I joined the BSG.
I think it's a good idea to regard a script as an overall piece of writing which should be pleasurable to read, rather than a collection of scene numbers, stage directions and dialogue. Stage directions, as well as conveying action, can also suggest what a character is feeling.
I'm glad you liked Marigold, Aaron. It seemed to me quite far away from being a conventional family, given that the mother is a neurotic mess, the father is emotionally absent, and the son is desperate for normality.
Quote: chipolata @ November 4 2008, 3:28 PM GMTThat's the only reason I joined the BSG.
Quote: Micheal Jacob @ November 4 2008, 3:34 PM GMTI'm glad you liked Marigold, Aaron. It seemed to me quite far away from being a conventional family, given that the mother is a neurotic mess, the father is emotionally absent, and the son is desperate for normality.
I can't deny I was a little disappointed not to see it followed through to a full series, even if only derived from Marigold rather than being a full version of the show.
To be honest, even if the rest had been total tripe (which it wasn't), Anthony Worrall-Thompson and the following line would have sold the show to me:
"'Blazin Squad' ... Are they firemen?"
Ooh, I'm tempted to watch it again now!
Robin was on the My Family writing team, and has an episode in the forthcoming series (next year).
I think the show fell between the BBC3/2 stools, and also conformed to the fate of Sitcom Talent winning pilots - ie, they get a pilot, they don't get a series. The winner of the first competition just disappeared. Danny Peak, who won the second with Bunk Bed Boys, has gone on to write episodes of 2 Pints, My Hero and My Parents are Aliens, to write I'm with Stupid, and is now working on a BBC1 show he created. Jon Brown, who was the runner up to Robin, has had a similar career path to Danny, and is extremely busy.
What actually happened to the writer of Marigold? Is he working on "Old Guys," now or am I thinking of something different?
Edit: Just seen above.
Edit II: Jon Brown comes from my hometown, whoop! Micheal, am I correct in saying Jon is now writing a sitcom with Bain & Armstrong?