Quote: Matthew Stott @ November 13 2008, 1:57 PM GMTI saw an episode when I was in Australia; full of ex-home and away actors. Watchable, but certainly not The Sopranos!
What can I say, I'm just quoting The Guardian. Maybe it's like The Wire. Maybe it's a grower.
Never seen the Wire. Looks grim.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ November 13 2008, 1:59 PM GMTNever seen the Wire. Looks grim.
I must have watched 4 episodes before I was hooked. It's the best TV drama ever made.
Better than Doctors? Get real now.
Sorry guys, I missed all these subsequent posts - thanks a lot for the continued interest.
Quote: Deferenz @ November 13 2008, 10:43 AM GMTI've just stumbled across this script again. Did you get anywhere with this ?
Def.
I got absolutely nowhere with it. Sent it to the BBC and every prodco I could find that took in unsolicited submissions. With most of them it didn't get past the 'first 10 pages' reading and as a result got barely any feedback at all - which was the biggest disappointment. What feedback I DID get back was very similar to what a lot of you guys have said - mostly that it lacked jokes. Which, in sitcom terms, is the biggest cardinal sin. And kind of embarrassing to tell you the truth.
However, I still like the script and it was the first one I'd written after a five-year break from scriptwriting, so the rewards really came in the writing. I now have the confidence to write other things and am taking all the criticism on board for the next project.
Quote: Lee Henman @ November 13 2008, 1:35 PM GMTI think the first problem you're going to come up against is the Sci-Fi angle. Commissioners are notoriously hard to win over on sc-fi comedies. They're difficult to get right and very expensive and tey get turned down by even very experienced writers, so I fear a new writer would struggle to get a high-concept project like this one off the ground. Also the end of the world scenario is a very common one in script submissions I hear.
I thought it'd be difficult trying to pitch a sci-fi sitcom, but I suppose I thought that if I kept it all as low-key and (relatively) cheap as possible the sci-fi angle wouldn't be an issue. That's why there's only one main set, three characters and very few special effects.
However, it is interesting to hear that the 'end of the world' scenario is a common one. Shame there's never been one to make it to production - I always thought that the topic was one ripe for bleak/black comedy.
Quote: Lee Henman @ November 13 2008, 1:35 PM GMTHaving said that you have a genuinely nice, interesting way of writing dialogue which makes you want to keep turning the page, which is half the battle. Your characterisation is good and generally the piece paints images in the head of the reader - it's easy to imagine - which again, is an instinctive skill in itself that I believe can't be taught or learned.
I think it needs tightening up a bit - it's a bit sloppy around the edges and could have more jokes but with a bit more work I think it'd be an excellent calling card script.
Thanks mate, it's nice to hear positive feedback like that - especially when us writers are so frequently racked with self-doubt. I've always had this fear that I'm one of those people who only THINK they're funny (or can write funny) when, in fact, they're godawful and cringeworthy. 'Bunker' may not have had enough jokes, but I still think it is reasonably well written.
Quote: David Bussell @ November 13 2008, 1:55 PM GMTI read this a while back and remember liking it. You've a nice writing style. It's just a shame that because of the sci-fi hobbling Lee mentioned already and the double whammy of Lab Rats you're going to face such an uphill struggle selling this thing.
Thanks to you too David. Actually, I never thought of Lab Rats as being a hinderance to 'Bunker' but now that you mention it yeah it might have been. My first sitcom script way back in 2000 got turned away from one prodco cos 'Garth Marenghi' was in development. This sort of thing is always happening to me.
Quote: glaikit @ January 5 2009, 1:22 PM GMTHowever, it is interesting to hear that the 'end of the world' scenario is a common one. Shame there's never been one to make it to production - I always thought that the topic was one ripe for bleak/black comedy.
There was one, based on a Survivors style premise. I can't remember what it was called but it was written by Mark Wallington and Tony Millan, and starred Mike Grady and Josie Lawrence.
The pilot of The Hitchhiker's Guide of the Galaxy was originally written for a series called The Ends of the Earth.
Bad luck on not getting anywhere with this. I would echo Lee and David's comments.
Quote: Timbo @ January 5 2009, 1:47 PM GMTThere was one, based on a Survivors style premise. I can't remember what it was called but it was written by Mark Wallington and Tony Millan, and starred Mike Grady and Josie Lawrence.
That was called Not With A Bang. This is the last 'end of world' sitcom I can think of too, but it is now 19 years old! If the prod co's are swamped with scripts of this genre at the moment then a new 'end of world' sitcom is very much over due.
Def.