Hi
I had a script back recently and all it said was they were looking for low concept rather than high concept. To be honest I don't know exactly what they mean and would be interested on any thoughts you have.
Cheers
j26
Low concept V high concept
The style/idea is probably something a little too extravagent and/or 'dangerous' as it's probably seen as risky to broadcasters, especially in the current financial climate.
'Low concept' is probably your bog-standard two/three character 'relationshippy' sort of sitcom set in a flat and a pub, whereas the bilingual sitcom about gay pirates who have travelled in time and commandeered a cruise liner, is probably more 'high concept'.
Hope that helps
Dan
I was on the right lines then? thanks anyway guy's for the input
J26
Strange admission, though.
Why wouldn't you want high concept?
Mind you I was once told by Yorkshire TV that my script was "..exactly the kind of feel-good, laugh-out-loud stuff people love to watch, but not what ITV are looking for at the moment.."
Plod.Plod.Plod.
Quote: Griff @ May 23 2009, 8:02 PM BSTMicheal Jacob has mentioned in a few places that he's not fond of high concept sitcoms, as the script can end up being all about serving the concept, rather than the characters, which isn't ideal for sitcom.
And it costs more. Sometimes. Which is the main consideration I am guessing.
Sometimes you get a Low Concept reasliation of a High Concept. My Hero for example. Which I imagine would be fine.
On the subject of which I really enjoyed No Heroics.
Quote: swerytd @ May 22 2009, 7:01 PM BSTwhereas the bilingual sitcom about gay pirates who have travelled in time and commandeered a cruise liner, is probably more 'high concept'.
Hope that helps
Dan
Isn't this TORCHWOOD?
Quote: Marc P @ May 24 2009, 8:39 AM BSTAnd it costs more. Sometimes. Which is the main consideration I am guessing.
Sometimes you get a Low Concept reasliation of a High Concept. My Hero for example. Which I imagine would be fine.
On the subject of which I really enjoyed No Heroics.
Isn't this TORCHWOOD?
League of Gentlemen being high or low concept?
That would be a sketch show.
Quote: Marc P @ May 25 2009, 9:15 AM BSTThat would be a sketch show.
It's a narrative comedy.
Its a sketch show. Returning characters. Set in a fictional village to give it a framework is all. 
Mmmm, maybe, but I never got that impression because of the story running through. The Christmas special and third series weren't like a sketch show at all.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ May 25 2009, 10:52 AM BSTMmmm, maybe, but I never got that impression because of the story running through. The Christmas special and third series weren't like a sketch show at all.
Don't you maybe me! It's not a story - it's the same characters saying the same sort of things in the same settings. Sketch shows can have narrative development elements - think of Ralph and Ted, for example. What lumps the sketches together in LOG is the village. Can't remember the special or the third series specifically. But it's certainly not a sitcom!
I still say Creme Brulee wasn't that a seventies rock band??? WHenever that particular pudding is mentioned mind.
Quote: Marc P @ May 25 2009, 10:56 AM BSTI still say Creme Brulee wasn't that a seventies rock band??? WHenever that particular pudding is mentioned mind.
If I order it at a restaurant I will always do so in a Les McQueen accent.
I think the problem with high concept ideas is not that they may be more expensive - certainly they don't have to be - but that you need to have address the concept in every episode. For example, in the last sitcom talent competition, there was a very good flatshare script, the twist being that there was a hell-mouth behind the sofa. So each week the hell-mouth would have to open and some supernatural thing happen. Now it could be that audiences would be excited about the weeks' surprise. Or it could be that the device would become predictable. And after a few episodes, the writer might feel - why is this high concept a millstone around my neck?