British Comedy Guide

Writing for Newsjack (aka 7 on 7) Page 6

They emailed mine back with spit on them :(

I got: 'The restraining order applies to emails also.'

I got the 'out of office' e mail.
But you know that it wasn't an automatic one, no'one spells offise with an S

That Nigerian king who I've given my bank details to just so he can deposit $600,000,000 US Dollars into my account spelt office with an s.

In fact, thinking about it, the email had quite a few misspellings. Hmm. No, no,no. I must not get paranoid.

After much hand wringing, almost tears of frustration and an Odysseus like journey for inspiration I feel that I am not cut out for topical comedy. I have literally dozens of sketches I'm happy with, none of them topical. I now feel I've shat a vast topical Egg and have knocked a couple out regardless. Thank heavens they intimated a third need not be topical. What a f**king palaver. All good experience I guess....hope....doubt.

I now await a response that hopefully doesn't contain the words 'talentless globule of cretin juice'.

Jesus, I haven't even the energy to go and set fire to a tramp. Laudenum and bed then I think.

Well I just sent mine, fairly happy, although think they might be a bit wordy. (Nice change from having to keep a sketch to Watson wind up shortness).

What will you do if you win(?)pass(?) level up(?) Lord Summerisle? You're aware its a topical show right? :D (I have totally the opposite problem - topical stuff I'm quite good with - its generic stuff where I struggle)

I find that radio comedy is quite wordy, Hennell, so I wouldn't worry. If you've written a good sketch then they would simply ask you to shorten it.

If you win... then you go to the masterclass with David Mitchell and that's all we know. I imagine you'll be invited to submit material to the show.

Quote: Lord Summerisle @ February 27 2009, 1:46 AM GMT

After much hand wringing, almost tears of frustration and an Odysseus like journey for inspiration I feel that I am not cut out for topical comedy. I have literally dozens of sketches I'm happy with, none of them topical. I now feel I've shat a vast topical Egg and have knocked a couple out regardless. Thank heavens they intimated a third need not be topical. What a f**king palaver. All good experience I guess....hope....doubt.

I've just sent mine in, one of which was an old sketch I wrote about a pensioner who claims he'll live to a thousand - which I edited to be about Sir Fred Goodwin arguing to keep his £16m pension pot.

The point being, just because they have to be topical, doesn't mean you can't spin existing sketch ideas into something relevant to current affairs.

That said, mine might well all be utter, utter shite.

(Also, I submitted one of the sketches I got on Tilt last year as my '3rd non-topical' sketch. Bad idea? Or decent calling card?)

I hate to put a downer on this but as far as I'm aware the Writersroom's policy dictates that they will not converse with us writers on any scripts or sketches unless they: a) commission us, or b) we win this thing.
I'm sure you all are highly experienced writers and such, but the writers who are inexperienced in this particular field and have emailed material won't hear anything back (as far as I'm aware) on what they could do to improve their sketch writing.

On the other hand, it's nice to have some more sketches in our repertoire. :D

Quote: Smithy @ February 27 2009, 9:22 AM GMT

(Also, I submitted one of the sketches I got on Tilt last year as my '3rd non-topical' sketch. Bad idea? Or decent calling card?)

Not at all. Sounds a good idea.

I imagine that the show itself will be open door as well. I assume they are just doing the writers room thing to try to nurture a few new writers.

So hopefully, even if we don't get invited to the Masterclass, we'll still get an email invitingus to submit for the show itself.

I have sent something in, right on the deadline because I'm playing hard to get with BBC radio now. I've thrown myself at them to no avail, so now I'm keeping them waiitng and playing it mean.

Hennell, I take your point entirely, you're right if I possess absolutely no topical writing skills I'll be up shit creek. Upon reflection I think I was maybe being a little overwrought and a bit of a big sulky baby. Very possibly because like everything I seem to do I left it until the last minute. I've looked over the three this morning and in the cold light of day am pleased with the topical sketches moreso than last night. It's not my forte but then I've never really tried, I shall work on this as it can only be a very useful tool to have. Once I have honed this and made it powerful I shall produce this tool and display it proudly in front of you all, swollen and engorged with comedy blood....or something like that.

On the other hand, it's nice to have some more sketches in our repertoire. :D[/quote]

Hello, Yeah I was pleased with the amount I wrote as well. It was quite interesting to do stuff to a deadline like that.

Wave

Do you ever look at a sketch the morning after you've sent it in like you would look at a complete dog you woke up next to after getting pissed out of your face?

'What have I done...?'

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