Quote: sootyj @ January 28 2009, 1:37 PM GMTI may have a go at the weekend. If nothing else it'll be a laugh and a learning process.
Exactly 
How about writing a sitcom on this forum? Page 2
I must say I am interested Random. Do we need to sign up or express our initial interest, or is it ok to be manly and casual about the whole thing?
Def.
Random. Don't mean to burst your bubble but this has been done before and too my knowledge people just lost interest (I think a first draft / 10 pages) but that was it.
And I have a feeling someone trying this again won't get much support from the site admins (but who knows!)
PS - the sketch project is being started up again I believe when the new site is back up so there will be something for everyone then!
I guess it maybe best to leave this post running (hopefully running) for a wee while to get an idea of who maybe interested and thoughts from anyone interested or not.
Quote: Paul W @ January 28 2009, 2:30 PM GMTRandom. Don't mean to burst your bubble but this has been done before and too my knowledge people just lost interest (I think a first draft / 10 pages) but that was it.
And I have a feeling someone trying this again won't get much support from the site admins (but who knows!)
PS - the sketch project is being started up again I believe when the new site is back up so there will be something for everyone then!
Yeah, understand mate.
But why 'won't get much support from the site admins'?
What is 'the sketch project'? sorry I've not heard.
Quote: Eden Carter @ January 28 2009, 1:07 PM GMTHey random, I've thought about this idea before, and you're right, there is so much talent within this forum that a potential collaboration of like 8-12 writers could bear ripe comedic fruits. It could also turn into a comedic bloodbath as the logistics in forming such an idea would be very difficult. I don't know, there are much brainier and wittier writers on this forum than myself, but I would be up for such a project.
Did y'all know that AFAIK, many or most USA Sitcoms are written by large teams of writers (though they meet & argue, rather than do it on-line), instead of the sole or duo teams that we get in the UK.
Marks & Gran picked up this technique during their time in Calfornia, and applied it, in a smaller manner, during the Alomo Productions Ltd period (Birds of a Feather, Love Hurts etc). They assembled teams of 3 or 4 more writers and worked together with M&G as the main writers.
As Paul says, give this a go, but don't be suprised if it doesn't work. 'comedy by committee' is so hard to organise. Even the team written comedies have a showrunner to make decisions (e.g. Fred Barron) otherwise nothing moves forward. Good luck if you go for it!
Team written sitcom. A writer or duo of writers create a sitcom - so it is originally authored in the traditional manner. Then other writers are brought on board the team, storylines characters etc are discussed. Writers or writing parterships of 2 are given eps, then the script is punched up by the group sometimes. I know over her they have 'junior' writers on the team of shows like My Family who work up to getting an episode. What they do meanwhile I don't know, contribute to story discussions and punching up sessions I guess.
Mister MJ will know and will tell us I should imagine if he catches this thread. Although seeing the words online sitcom and writing together may have him screaming for his medication and running away from his computer.
Quote: Marc P @ January 28 2009, 3:18 PM GMTMister MJ will know and will tell us I should imagine if he catches this thread. Although seeing his reflection may have him screaming for his medication and running away from his mirror.
You've got a cruel streak, Marc.
Quote: chipolata @ January 28 2009, 3:20 PM GMTYou've got a cruel streak, Marc.
But it's Danish and crispy!! Mmmmm.
Quote: Mark @ January 28 2009, 3:15 PM GMTAs Paul says, give this a go, but don't be suprised if it doesn't work. 'comedy by committee' is so hard to organise. Even the team written comedies have a showrunner to make decisions (e.g. Fred Barron) otherwise nothing moves forward. Good luck if you go for it!
Me for showrunner
Understand the doubt however I do personally believe this can be done and done very well
... but yeah, it may not(or even get up and running if interest is lo) I did kinda hope for a large pool of people just to say 'and why not' and get involved at some level, time will tell I guess.
I'm sure (assuming it happens) if nothing else it will raise a few smiles along they
Whistles... 'There may be trouble ahead.' 
No seriously good luck, but look on it as a learning exercise rather than a way to get something you will be able to sell. No broadcaster is going want to deal with six or seven writers on one script/series who only work via the net. It is a logistical nightmare. So even if they were interested in the final script they would only want to develop it with one or two writers so who would be slaughtered for the common good?
Quote: Marc P @ January 28 2009, 4:39 PM GMTWhistles... 'There may be trouble ahead.'
No seriously good luck, but look on it as a learning exercise rather than a way to get something you will be able to sell. No broadcaster is going want to deal with six or seven writers on one script/series who only work via the net. It is a logistical nightmare. So even if they were interested in the final script they would only want to develop it with one or two writers so who would be slaughtered for the common good?
Yeah do agree re: learning curve, and yeah, just as a laugh to start with, if it develops, it develops...
Go for it random and good luck. 
You for showrunner would generally mean you come up with the idea and characters, I think.
Might be a good start point if only one-three of you come up with these facts and a story arc for the series. Otherwise you'll end up with twenty of you arguing over characters/arcs/plots/ideas and never writing anything!
Dan
Having worked on the Devil's Blurb project on this forum, I believe it can work quite well. I think the script we wrote was decent. Nobody could be arsed to write a second episode though. I might be interested in having another pop at it.