I suppose Window of Opportunity gave a formal place for opportunities.
Here it's just sign up and start a thread.
Also 4laughs was associated with Channel 4, which I suppose helped.
Our new Writers Area - ideas please! Page 5
Quote: Griff @ November 7 2008, 10:58 AM GMTNo producer is going to give two hoots whether we've self-selected a script or not.
My point is about THEM APPROACHING US for STUFF THEY WANT, not us approaching them to sell our stuff.
Actually Marc I would see BSG/BCG almost acting as our agent in a sense, marketing us collectively to prodcos. But not in the "giving them ten per cent of our earnings" sense.
Can I state that I do not want AARON as my agent - he likes Coming of Age!!!
Only kidding Aaron.
Quote: Griff @ November 7 2008, 10:58 AM GMTNo producer is going to give two hoots whether we've self-selected a script or not.
My point is about THEM APPROACHING US for STUFF THEY WANT, not us approaching them to sell our stuff.
Actually Marc I would see BSG/BCG almost acting as our agent in a sense, marketing us collectively to prodcos. But not in the "giving them ten per cent of our earnings" sense.
The advice I get is prodcos are always looking for good writers, without having to filter the detritus out.
Quote: Marc P @ November 7 2008, 11:03 AM GMTCan I state that I do not want AARON as my agent - he likes Coming of Age!!!
Only kidding Aaron.
Why in these discussions does Mark come across as a guy in a yacht, laughing at us Titanic survivors floating in our sea of failure.
Quote: Griff @ November 7 2008, 11:04 AM GMTTrue, I want Mark as my agent. Aaron would just try and market us all to sitcom companies from the 1970s where the producers are now all dead.
LOL
Actually... on a serious note, if there was a format friendly upload facility and a doissier type storage filing cabinet thingummy attached to it then people could post works which prodcos (I have that expression more than skits by the) way could have a delve into should they have a fancy to.
Some people don't want to post their work seemingly, Mikey J, recently for example for fear of someone having it away on the end of their toes with the idea.
Have I started something?
Chortle is a taken seriously as an industry tool, however trolls are always trying to ruin it and nearly every time someone posts an opportunity that they themselves are offering there are always abusive and cynical messages. How much this puts posters off, I don't know.
My suggestion was - as I've seen on other message boards - was a seperate forum that is only viewable to signed-in members. It's not foolproof, but would cut down on trolling and maybe encourage people to post who might not otherwise. So overall it would be a safer and more serious place to post. I've seen it work elsewhere, but who knows....???
Quote: Griff @ November 7 2008, 11:13 AM GMTWhat is the proper term for prodcos? (An ugly word I will agree but one I have got in the habit of using). Maybe "pimps"?
Independent production companies, or indies maybe. I just don't like the word prod. Maybe I am being anal.
Quote: Marc P @ November 7 2008, 11:15 AM GMTIndependent production companies, or indies maybe. I just don't like the word prod. Maybe I am being anal.
I knew if you were at it long enough, you'd finally make me laugh.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ November 7 2008, 11:15 AM GMTHave I started something?
Chortle is a taken seriously as an industry tool, however trolls are always trying to ruin it and nearly every time someone posts an opportunity that they themselves are offering there are always abusive and cynical messages. How much this puts posters off, I don't know.
My suggestion was - as I've seen on other message boards - was a seperate forum that is only viewable to signed-in members. It's not foolproof, but would cut down on trolling and maybe encourage people to post who might not otherwise. So overall it would be a safer and more serious place to post. I've seen it work elsewhere, but who knows....???
Yup, proper registered members with names addresses, phone numbers etc - not visible obviously but registered on sign up. Probably cut down on some of the flak for Micheal for a start.
Probably not on Seefacts though.
Quote: chipolata @ November 7 2008, 11:17 AM GMT
Faints.
I like the idea of having of some form of restricted area for producers to post opportunities. I think the BBC got value out of the Tilt promotion on here as I think a few of us got stuff in (and I've been asked to submit to a couple of other shows on the back of Tilt, so great value for this site). It does need to be restricted in some minimal way though, as otherwise word will spread around every other site and it will get deluged, so might as well have been posted as open request on BBC Writers Room. If producers want to raise the bar higher, they could always say "we only want people with X type of writing credit for this specific opp".
Occasional sketch competitions judged by a producer/similar would be good. The only problem with these is when a random person judges a short list of sketches to go to the producer. 4Laughs did some in this way and it was at times mindboggling to see some of the ones that got on the shortlist (i.e. there absolutely MUST have been ones that were better!).
How about periodical "Q threads," like the disgusied merchant men used to draw out submarines in World War 2.
We set up a thread that's nectar to trolls.
Who do you hate most at the BBC? Why are all succesful comedy writer rubbish? Who's the most briliant undiscovered writer in the universe?
And then ban anyone who replies.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ November 7 2008, 11:15 AM GMTHave I started something?
Do you wanna be starting somethin? I say, do you wanna be starting somethin?
Actually after a bit of thought I think a private forum of a group of selected elite should be the way to go. Now, although I don't exactly fit the critieria, I should be the ruler as it was my idea first and so it's my rules.
I think we should come up with some sort of emblem or symbol - you know, the sort of thing that will look good on a flag, armbands, that type of thing. Maybe we could take a symbol from an old world religion and adapt it. Then there's uniforms. I'm thinking something mean-looking but stylish.
And of course, everyone will have to agree with me.
Quote: Griff @ November 7 2008, 2:11 PM GMTHowever I now officially give up
Is that a surrender? Never surrender...!!
I think the route to go down is to become a mutally supportive writing collective, which in essence we are.
How ever good you may be in the rest of the world, your promotion through the site will depend on your ability to sell yourself to it's members.