Cheers Griff. Was there anything especially useful that we didn't already know/had already been told before?
Dan
Writing for Newsjack (aka 7 on 7) Page 19
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The main news industry-wise was that RFTP is almost certainly coming back for a fourth series, and all about Newsjack. Apart from that it was very much about working on our sketches with script editors. We had interesting talks from Bill Dare and Jane Berthoud, but neither "the secret of comedy" or "the secret back door to the BBC" were revealed.
Damn! 
Cheers Griff
Dan
Quote: swerytd @ May 12 2009, 7:43 PM BSTI guess what people ideally want is a regular 'open doors' show, a regular 'second step' show (that you eventually get invited 'up' to), then perhaps a couple of third step shows, where the more successful writers take more of a lead on stuff.
Success in an 'open doors' show unfortunately seems to lead nowhere. I, too, thought the workshops meant that these guys had been fast-tracked and at least the core writing would be from them lot, rather than open doors. As it happens, I'm glad it's open doors now, but if I'd got on to the workshops, I'd be a bit pissed off now!
Dan
Its a great point. People are always told to do sketches to break into the industry and I've been on a few radio shows but it hasn't lead to anything else apart from a credit on my CV - which is still nice. I was actually told by a full-time writer to ditch radio sketch shows and write a radio comedy instead so I'm working on that as well as other things.
The secret back door to the BBC is located in front of HWH - see what they did there? It's a spiral staircase leading down into an underground chamber. Any writer vaulting the gate at the top and bashing the door in with their Mac Air finds themselves in a comedy Narnia where every half-baked idea is commissioned - without the need for a humiliating leather-thong lapdance - by enthusiastic Beeb execs and the Auntie canteen serves proper curly fries with the Southern fried coating and everything....
Quote: ContainsNuts @ May 13 2009, 11:58 AM BSTIts a great point. People are always told to do sketches to break into the industry and I've been on a few radio shows but it hasn't lead to anything else apart from a credit on my CV - which is still nice.
Agreed. Radio sketch credits are nice, but ultimately you need to be writing something meatier.
Quote: chipolata @ May 13 2009, 12:19 PM BSTAgreed. Radio sketch credits are nice, but ultimately you need to be writing something meatier.
Adverts for Ginsters?
Man can't live on radio sketch credits alone, but it's a good way of building and maintaining contacts with BBC producers, while you're busy writing the next The Thick Of It.
Quote: ContainsNuts @ May 13 2009, 12:31 PM BSTAdverts for Ginsters?
I actually know somebody who wrote a Ginsters ad. Apparently one of the things the company kept banging on about in meetings was their excellent "forecourt penetration".
Quote: Griff @ May 13 2009, 12:54 PM BSTI actually know somebody who wrote a Ginsters ad. Apparently one of the things the company kept banging on about in meetings was their excellent "forecourt penetration".
I tried that once, well they ARE called petrol pumps.
I'm looking forward to this opening its doors, but after having had stuff on three different BBC radio shows in recent years I would have to agree that getting sketches broadcast seems to lead to nothing much more than CV credits (all well and good of course)- oh yeah, and a small amount of wonga.
Maybe I should become an MP. The money's better.
Quote: Pripyat @ May 12 2009, 10:03 PM BSTI blame not living in London (seriously, it's a big help) and being one of the laziest people on the face of the planet.
Can I just come in on this and agree wholeheartedly with that point about not living in London. I've been lucky enough to write a bit of additional material here and there but haven't always been able to go to recordings etc, what with living and working 2.5 hours away from the smoke. I had to miss a couple of 4talent things too (before it got pulled) because they were happening at Horseferry Road.
I know it's obviously still possible to get on and achieve things outside the city if you're good enough, but I do think it's harder - I have found it's a similar situation with open mic comedy nights too, for example. Loads in London, not so many elsewhere.
Quote: ContainsNuts @ May 13 2009, 12:31 PM BSTAdverts for Ginsters?
Or maybe not... http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2009/05/12/8876/comics_beef_with_pasty-makers
Quote: ContainsNuts @ May 13 2009, 12:31 PM BSTAdverts for Ginsters?
I can't remember a single Ginsters advert, so they clearly need to sharpen up their act.
I don't believe they advertise Ginsters in gentlemen's publications, so you might well have missed them.
Quote: Griff @ May 14 2009, 10:38 AM BSTI don't believe they advertise Ginsters in gentlemen's publications, so you might well have missed them.
They certainly used to. I even remember a few fold out posters in some.