British Comedy Guide

Script Submission Advice Page 2

Why don't you upload a scene to YouTube? Can't harm. I'd be interested to see how it's looking.

Quote: Lee Henman @ May 20 2009, 1:35 PM BST

Why don't you upload a scene to YouTube? Can't harm. I'd be interested to see how it's looking.

There will be trailers going out in the next couple of weeks then it can be uploaded to YouTube after it's public screening and not before. Thanks for the interest though.

Quote: Morrace @ May 20 2009, 12:33 PM BST

Fair enough.

...I agree. However, I'd tone down the CV a lot, whether or not you're going to send it off. One thing I must say though; you're extremely prolific for a 19 year-old! You're obviously going for quantity.

I wouldn't say I was prolific just someone who has a steady stream of projects on the go at any given time. I tend only to have one big project a year from 2005. Which means I've only produced five big projects and only two of them I would say were at a near professional standard. All of the other projects are projects that I write regularly but have not made yet, there are about 4 or 5 more sitcom pilots that I haven't even mentioned on my profile so I take your point a bit but I tend to worry about being typecast as a certain type of actor or writer.

It's not the prolific that is the point. You are submitting to professionals who are well qualified to judge what is a professional standard. When you say you are worried about being typecast as a certain kind of writer or actor - have you been cast professionaly in either role?

The programmes I have made up until 2007/2008 have been College/school projects which I wouldn't send off but I think it's important not to just dismiss them and be embarrassed about them because they show my hard work and resourcefulness but the programmes I have done after have been more professionally made although they have still been College projects. My latest show which I co-wrote is at a very high standard in the confines of what resources/actors we have available to us that is why we have sent the pilot on DVD as well as the pilot script off to various production companies although before we did that we consulted a few industry contacts that we have.

Quote: James Cotter @ May 27 2009, 3:44 PM BST

The programmes I have made up until 2007/2008 have been College/school projects which I wouldn't send off but I think it's important not to just dismiss them and be embarrassed about them because they show my hard work and resourcefulness but the programmes I have done after have been more professionally made although they have still been College projects. My latest show which I co-wrote is at a very high standard in the confines of what resources/actors we have available to us that is why we have sent the pilot on DVD as well as the pilot script off to various production companies although before we did that we consulted a few industry contacts that we have.

Pretty much why I said tone down the CV. There is noting wrong with being where you are, but acknowledge where you are is best. Good on you as the Australians would say. What response have you had, what response are you looking for?

Quote: Marc P @ May 27 2009, 7:51 PM BST

Pretty much why I said tone down the CV. There is noting wrong with being where you are, but acknowledge where you are is best. Good on you as the Australians would say. What response have you had, what response are you looking for?

I took what you said on board and have cut down the CV to a slightly more normal size. It's never going to be really small as I have a tendency to write a lot but that's the best I can do for now. And in regard to what response we have had they have all been on the whole very positive, the comedy has never been in doubt it's just stuff like sound levels and cutting shots a wee bit quicker which we have now adjusted and what response are we looking for? Well hopefully the type of response that makes you want to see more of the show and the characters and hopefully a commissioned series but we are not resting on our laurels and are busy writing the series. Thanks for the help in terms of the CV.

Quote: James Cotter @ May 28 2009, 5:24 PM BST

I have cut down the CV to a slightly more normal size. It's never going to be really small as I have a tendency to write a lot but that's the best I can do for now.

I used to include a CV in my script package but wouldn't do it now. What you have to remember with a CV is that no one cares who you are, your influences, what you do, and which invertebrates you enjoy hitting with hammers, until they've read the sampler, then asked for the full script, and then wondered "Ok, can we work with this person?" Til then the writer will always be a forgotten name on the front page, and I dare say for a long time after too.
Teary
They need to hit the script fast, anything that delays that moment is a distraction.

James I'm sure I remember seeing you in a really funny YouTube vid where you couldn't stop laughing.

Is that you?

Quote: SlagA @ May 28 2009, 7:15 PM BST

I used to include a CV in my script package but wouldn't do it now. What you have to remember with a CV is that no one cares who you are, your influences, what you do, and which invertebrates you enjoy hitting with hammers, until they've read the sampler, then asked for the full script, and then wondered "Ok, can we work with this person?" Til then the writer will always be a forgotten name on the front page, and I dare say for a long time after too.
Teary
They need to hit the script fast, anything that delays that moment is a distraction.

Fair point but I won't include my comedy CV with my scripts when I send them off. I was talking about my Comedy Guide profile but I get your point if I was.

Quote: jdubya @ May 28 2009, 7:37 PM BST

James I'm sure I remember seeing you in a really funny YouTube vid where you couldn't stop laughing.

Is that you?

Yes that is me. It was properly one of mine and James Coard's video podcasts. I would like to know what one it was and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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