They said they get around 10,000 scripts a year and only 10% of those get read past the first 10 pages, let alone any other progress.
At the end of the day they want writers more than anything.
Writers' Room Roadshow Page 2
There wasn't a lot learned to honest. Most of what was presented you would already know if you've read any sort of script writing book.
That said, what came across loud and clear was that the Writers' Room is looking for "writers", not "written work", so if you want your sitcom on the BBC you'd do as well looking for a friendly production company.
Why does anyone want their sitcom on the telly, when they could get paid more for regular writing work on a show that's likely to be there in a few year's time?
Sure I've got pet projects that I've knocked up over the years, but I'd rather write an episode of Doctor Who than have a 6 week run on ITV at 11 o'clock at night of a sitcom that no-one will ever admit to having seen even if they have. What is the obsession with having your own sitcom on TV?
Quote: Kev F @ January 18 2009, 7:49 PM GMTWhy does anyone want their sitcom on the telly, when they could get paid more for regular writing work on a show that's likely to be there in a few year's time?
Sure I've got pet projects that I've knocked up over the years, but I'd rather write an episode of Doctor Who than have a 6 week run on ITV at 11 o'clock at night of a sitcom that no-one will ever admit to having seen even if they have. What is the obsession with having your own sitcom on TV?
For me it's not just money, it's the dream of being the creative force behind something that people will love and laugh at hopefully for years to come. You also run the serious risk of it flopping and being known as a talentless wanker for the rest of your life but surely the rewards if your show is a success are worth chasing.
Cashwise - for a BBC 1 / 2 project, isn't it round about the 60-70 grand mark you can expect to earn for a 6 episode fee? 5-6 grand per episode plus 100% again on broadcast? That seems okay to me...although I don't know how much Doctor Who writers get. A lot I imagine.
Quote: Kev F @ January 18 2009, 7:49 PM GMTWhy does anyone want their sitcom on the telly, when they could get paid more for regular writing work on a show that's likely to be there in a few year's time?
Sure I've got pet projects that I've knocked up over the years, but I'd rather write an episode of Doctor Who than have a 6 week run on ITV at 11 o'clock at night of a sitcom that no-one will ever admit to having seen even if they have. What is the obsession with having your own sitcom on TV?
Because if you're not an established writer who's going too buy your stuff anyway?
A good half hour script seems to be a sort of benchmark of writing talent. And besides this is BSG, so you know some of us might quite like sitcoms?
Quote: Griff @ January 18 2009, 8:10 PM GMTThe whole point of doing this is to write something you love, surely. Now, hopefully, we all love our own sitcoms, otherwise we are truly f**ked. Also all of us also love Doctor Who, so who wouldn't want to write an episode of that.
Ditto I'd be very happy to write on a show like Moving Wallpaper which I "get", enjoy, and could totally buy into.
So if sending my sitcom to production companies gets me either of those outcomes, I'm happy.
However I'd be less excited if I got offered a gig writing on Life Of Riley. I'd probably give it a go - a job's a job - but I can't imagine it's anyone's dream?
It's a hard fact of the aspiring sitcom writer's life that having a great script sometimes just isn't enough. Commissioners are very wary of spending vast amount of money on untested writers - so very often you have to build up a body of work, and if that means working on a show that you don't particularly buy into 100% then that's what you must do to raise your profile. I've recently written on a show that wasn't really my type of thing, but it's another thing to stick on the cv and another step towards becoming enough of "a name" for the men with the money to take you seriously.
Another thing to watch out for though, is that in tellyland there's a definite perception that long-form or sitcom writers can also write sketches, but sketchwriters can't write sitcom. So while you're building your profile you have to be aware that doing too much sketchwork can actually work against you if it's sitcom where your heart lies.
Quote: Kev F @ January 18 2009, 7:49 PM GMTWhy does anyone want their sitcom on the telly, when they could get paid more for regular writing work on a show that's likely to be there in a few year's time?
Sure I've got pet projects that I've knocked up over the years, but I'd rather write an episode of Doctor Who than have a 6 week run on ITV at 11 o'clock at night of a sitcom that no-one will ever admit to having seen even if they have. What is the obsession with having your own sitcom on TV?
Believe me there are easier ways to make money than to write, its certainly not about that for me. You're assuming that its money-led and that we are all happy with what's on telly. I write because I'd enjoy it and I try to write stuff that is different to what's out there.
Quote: Kev F @ January 18 2009, 7:49 PM GMTWhy does anyone want their sitcom on the telly, when they could get paid more for regular writing work on a show that's likely to be there in a few year's time?
Sure I've got pet projects that I've knocked up over the years, but I'd rather write an episode of Doctor Who than have a 6 week run on ITV at 11 o'clock at night of a sitcom that no-one will ever admit to having seen even if they have. What is the obsession with having your own sitcom on TV?
That is one of the oddest posts I've ever read on here.
Quote: Kev F @ January 18 2009, 7:49 PM GMTWhat is the obsession with having your own sitcom on TV?
Erm...because it means I'd have my own sit-com on TV?
Well in fairness I'd rather the scripts for porn films but, Hand job films and Film on all 4s don't have a writers room and the BBC do.
Quote: sootyj @ January 19 2009, 1:03 AM GMTWell in fairness I'd rather the scripts for porn films but, Hand job films and Film on all 4s don't have a writers room and the BBC do.
Quote: Griff @ January 18 2009, 10:06 PM GMTAppreciate your response, Lee. Sounds like good advice.
And of course there isn't a single telly/radio writing job I'd turn down. I was just trying to answer Kev's point about "why worry about your own sitcom when you could end up being given Doctor Who", ie not everything you might get given is up to Doctor Who standards of awesomeness.
But dammit, sketch is so seductive! You write 'em quickly and you find out whether you sold them quickly. Maybe it's time to start looking beyond instant gratification...
That's the project with Bussell, isn't it. Admit it.
I would if it were true. But no, it was something else. In fact the Bussell project is EXACTLY what I'd like to be writing. It's just that two commissioners thought differently.
The bastards. 
Hello - I was there, along with about 300 other aspiring writers.
I thought it was a very well run event, with lots of information.
The questions were all answered, and the usual old git with a lot to say in the front row was dealt with very well - invited for drinks in the bar later!!
It was the mix of people there which I found v interesting - mostly men, of all ages, and young women. I suppose the older ones were at home looking after their children....
It was the first time I'd been to anything like that, so I haven't got anything to compare it with.
Quote: Griff @ January 18 2009, 10:06 PM GMTThat's the project with Bussell, isn't it. Admit it.
Ooh, you cheeky swine!