Is the BBC the be all and end all?

About a month ago I had a script rejected by an individual at the BBC. I sent my script to a director/producer who has done some good stuff for TV over the past few years, he really liked the script (he liked the premise a lot, and thought the dialogue was great), but wasn't taking anymore projects on at the time.

The director/producer chap was much more help than the individual at the BBC who, once he'd rejected it, failed to be of much help regarding why it had been rejected.

How many of you send stuff to the BBC? Is it the first place you send a script once completed? In my mind I always think that the BBC is where it's at, but am starting to think that you're best off trying elsewhere before you even think about contacting the BBC.

Thanks.

It's not the be all and end all, but it's a pretty big player. You'd have to look long and hard to find a comedy writer who hasn't worked with them at some point.

The BBC is obviously the biggest player in the market, but there's plenty of other outlets. More so than a few years ago. For example, there's now internet sites commissioning stuff (e.g. MySpace) and digital channels getting involved for the first time (e.g. No Signal on FX).

The latest news is that Paramount Comedy is turning into Comedy Central in April, and a third of it's output will be original UK commissions.

I personally would send scripts off to about 5 different production companies, give it 3 months if they get rejected try 5 more and so on,the hardest thing is getting someone to read an unsolicited script.

The Beeb is usually my first port of call, followed by indies like Baby Cow and Hat Trick, and of course Channel 4. I personally find the BBC much more accessible than Channel 4 though - as in it's much easier to get to know people in the BBC on a face-to-face level, which I think is very important indeed. I've met loads of people from different areas of the BBC, but nobody at C4.

To be fair, that's probably because I've not actually sold C4 anything yet. But the BBC tend to be more like "Yeah, we like your stuff, come down for a chat" than Channel 4 is. In my experience, anyway.

Quote: Lee Henman @ February 12 2009, 11:25 AM GMT

To be fair, that's probably because I've not actually sold C4 anything yet. But the BBC tend to be more like "Yeah, we like your stuff, come down for a chat" than Channel 4 is.

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The Beeb have deep pockets (paid for by us) and can afford to flirt with writers. Channel 4 haven't.

Not the be all and end all, but obvioulsy a place any writer would like to see thir work.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ February 12 2009, 11:57 AM GMT

Not the be all and end all, but obvioulsy a place any writer would like to see thir work.

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Or even their work.

Quote: chipolata @ February 12 2009, 12:04 PM GMT

Or even their work.

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Come on now, Matt never claimed to be a writer.

Obviously, as a Public Service Broadcaster funded by taxpayers (effectively), it's in their remit to provide 'niche television', which I suppose comedy is, as it never gets the big ratings but is expensive and time-consuming to produce.

The BBC aren't (well, *shouldn't* because they obviously do at times) chasing ratings like ITV do. The stupid masses watch soap opera and idiot reality shows, which pleases the advertisers. As such, ITV will never fund much comedy (only enough to appease the minority, for some reason).

I believe Channel 4 does (or did) get some of the licence fee, so can afford to fund more comedy (than ITV) but I'm pretty sure Channel 4 doesn't actually produce anything itself and everything is produced by independent production companies.

Anyway, that's why the BBC are worth going to. They're bigger and more receptive to comedy than anybody else. It's more of a failing of the other broadcasters than the BBC themselves.

And, in fairness to the BBC, the last year or so seems to be gearing more towards bringing in more comedy-writing talent, and quite a few of the producers (more specifically radio producers) are very receptive to new talent approaching them and encouraging it. Probably again due to the licence fee. Independent producers have to know where their money's coming from, ie. selling programmes so go to more established writers, the BBC producers (I imagine) get a fixed salary from the licence fee, regardless of success/failures of productions (in moderation -- obviously failure after failure after failure probably won't be tolerated!)

Dan

Also because they are funding by the public, they don't have adverts which means the programmes are shown as they are supposed to be: uninterrupted.

Quote: chipolata @ February 12 2009, 12:04 PM GMT

Ore eivon there wurk.

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You have to read betwen the lines LM, some people sugar coat the rejection, but in the end there is no such thing as a good rejection. The nice ones just make you want to keep trying, and the trick is do that for yourself if you can.

Quote: ContainsNuts @ February 12 2009, 1:20 PM GMT

Also because they are funding by the public, they don't have adverts which means the programmes are shown as they are supposed to be: uninterrupted.

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I like interuptions. Gives me a chance to make a nice cup of tea. Or nip to the toilet.

Quote: Marc P @ February 12 2009, 1:24 PM GMT

You have to read betwen the lines LM, some people sugar coat the rejection, but in the end there is no such thing as a good rejection. The nice ones just make you want to keep trying, and the trick is do that for yourself if you can.

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Sometimes a good hard rejection is just what the doctor ordered. Spurs you on and all that.

Quote: chipolata @ February 12 2009, 1:45 PM GMT

Sometimes a good hard injection is just what the doctor ordered.

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Mercy!