Quote: Eden Carter @ March 31 2009, 11:07 PM BSTWell when you say it like that it sounds bad but I mean as non-established writers we aren't given the same freedom as say some established writers are allowed, so we may have to dull down our outlandish ideas.
And write proper sentences.
Quote: Eden Carter @ March 31 2009, 11:07 PM BSTWell when you say it like that it sounds bad but I mean as non-established writers we aren't given the same freedom as say some established writers are allowed, so we may have to dull down our outlandish ideas.
Should we do this?
Mr. P, I respect your opinion when you replied, after reading this you mentioned about the 'gay gag' but also about the fact that it was static, but that was all, you (a writer who I personally look up to and respect) never mentioned 50% was character based and not plot driven. Obviously I'm not knocking you at all, please don't think that, it's just that it's hard to decide what to take on board and what not to.
Quote: random @ March 31 2009, 10:58 PM BSTBut surely they should like our work for what it is naturally not because we have intentionally shaped it for them!
I don't know. Just because something is realistic doesn't make it funny or entertaining. Real life can be boring. You also have to remember that the masses don't think the same way as writers. They don't watch something and go "Well I didn't like it but it was well written and flowed nicely". They go either one of two ways: "That was shit" or "That was good".
Quote: random @ March 31 2009, 11:10 PM BSTit's just that it's hard to decide what to take on board and what not to.
I take on board alcohol. It helps things seem funny anyway. 
Quote: Chris Forshaw @ March 31 2009, 11:11 PM BSTI don't know. Just because something is realistic doesn't make it funny or entertaining. Real life can be boring. You also have to remember that the masses don't think the same way as writers. They don't watch something and go "Well I didn't like it but it was well written and flowed nicely". They go either one of two ways: "That was shit" or "That was good".
Correct
If they can relate to it you're half way there 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ March 31 2009, 11:12 PM BSTI take on board alcohol. It helps things seem funny anyway.
lol, agree
Quote: Marc P @ March 31 2009, 11:10 PM BSTAnd write proper sentences.
Jeez, sorry it's late
Quote: random @ March 31 2009, 11:10 PM BSTShould we do this?
Mr. P, I respect your opinion when you replied, after reading this you mentioned about the 'gay gag' but also about the fact that it was static, but that was all, you (a writer who I personally look up to and respect) never mentioned 50% was character based and not plot driven. Obviously I'm not knocking you at all, please don't think that, it's just that it's hard to decide what to take on board and what not to.
I'm not entirely sure what the question is, which is mainly due to the hour, hic!, but it should all be 100% plot and 100% character driven. Edit out what isn't and there you go. They are both sides of the same coin. Plot explores character, character drives plot. My main tip is for you is to write in one sentence what is it you are trying to say in this episode and explore it. Never mind introducing characters, never mind introducing situations, what is it about the world today you are commentating on? Trust me nobody gives a shit about an insight into the real world of postmen, if they did a lot more people would actually talk to them at their doorstep (alright I know a lot do - including me every morning but a lot don't) that's what documentaries are for. Drama is for interpretation and exploration - not about the specific but about the general, the universal.
As to what to take on board or not? That's a tough one! Just ignore Chip!
Quote: Marc P @ March 31 2009, 11:29 PM BSTI'm not entirely sure what the question is, which is mainly due to the hour, hic!, but it should all be 100% plot and 100% character driven. Edit out what isn't and there you go. They are both sides of the same coin. Plot explores character, character drives plot. My main tip is for you is to write in one sentence what is it you are trying to say in this episode and explore it. Never mind introducing characters, never mind introducing situations, what is it about the world today you are commentating on? Trust me nobody gives a shit about an insight into the real world of postmen, if they did a lot more people would actually talk to them at their doorstep (alright I know a lot do - including me every morning but a lot don't) that's what documentaries are for. Drama is for interpretation and exploration - not about the specific but about the general, the universal.
As to what to take on board or not? That's a tough one! Just ignore Chip!
The glory of being a postman is you can be in touch with another postman/woman who delivers to somebody far away
Once you have a name, location...
You obviously drink at this hour Mr. P
And why not
Quote: random @ March 31 2009, 11:34 PM BSTThe glory of being a postman is you can be in touch with another postman/woman who delivers to somebody far away
Once you have a name, location...
By jimminy I love living in sunny Brighton!
Quote: Marc P @ March 31 2009, 11:39 PM BSTBy jimminy I love living in sunny Brighton!
I live in Brighton
Quote: Marc P @ March 31 2009, 11:39 PM BSTBy jimminy I love living in sunny Brighton!
lol
Spot of Wednesday tea and scones
Quote: Marc P @ March 31 2009, 11:39 PM BSTBy jimminy I love living in sunny Brighton!
I'll pop and see you Sunday morning, you're not that far away from me
Hey, you Brighton people!!
I live in Worthing.
Small world.
Quote: random @ March 31 2009, 11:45 PM BSTlol
Spot of Wednesday tea and scones
I'll pop and see you Sunday morning, you're not that far away from me
Shit, that could be incorporated as scary, mind at rest, that is not me, I'm a friendly chap
Quote: Mikey Jackson @ March 31 2009, 11:50 PM BSTHey, you Brighton people!!
I live in Worthing.
Small world.
Shit it's 10 to midnight, what are you doing up at this hour?
Day off tom',.. excuse
I haven't read your sitcom sample yet, but I'd say f**k the rules....to a certain extent. As long as you have a plot and its clearly defined then I say you can play around with whats in between, obviously as long as its funny!
Look at Not Going Out, tons of one-liners that didn't drive the plot forward, sometimes didn't reveal character either...sometimes not even funny, but they were always going for the laughs. Maybe not the best example though as it has now been canceled!
Look at Early Doors, each episode had its own plot, but they aren't in your face, it could just be about Joe pissing in the wardrobe and that kind of lingers throughout the episode. But everything in between is very funny.
I think there is plenty of room to play around with conventions, if everybody wrote to the same style and method it'd be very boring, but just make sure when you aren't doing plot, you are being funny or building character, don't have any lines that are simply pointless.
Quote: Martin H @ April 1 2009, 12:08 AM BSTI haven't read your sitcom sample yet,
Please read and post your thoughts
agree with your post
This is it, everybody seems to think the plot line has to be big... who gives a shite if it is or isn't, so long as theirs a story of some form who cares.
Quote: Martin H @ April 1 2009, 12:08 AM BSTLook at Early Doors, each episode had its own plot, but they aren't in your face, it could just be about Joe pissing in the wardrobe and that kind of lingers throughout the episode. But everything in between is very funny.
Thank you