Quote: catskillz @ June 11 2009, 8:59 PM BSTDid anything come of it?
As mentioned earlier in this thread, he liked it, optioned it and it was developed with the BBC who, sadly, dropped it having commisioned a pilot script.
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Quote: steve by any other name @ June 12 2009, 8:05 AM BSTAs mentioned earlier in this thread, he liked it, optioned it and it was developed with the BBC who, sadly, dropped it having commisioned a pilot script.
This may sound like a stupid question, but how does it feel to get as far as that and then the whole project is dropped? It must be absolutely gutting. To think that it is hard enough to get stuff read in the first place, let alone have it taken further, optioned and ready for development. I remember how bad I felt getting basic rejections.
With respect to how Steve must have felt, I reckon it must feel a lot better actually getting somewhere a lot of us will probably never get, before it being dropped.
The extra contacts he's got must be worth it alone!
Dan
I'm learning to be very philisophical about the whole thing. (By "philosophical" I don't mean "not giving a shit", which is the usual connotation the word is used in.) I just accept that I'm in this for the long term and I'm getting my name around town, finding people with influence who like my work etc. I was very disappointed that my producers and I didn't get the pilot slot for 'Comedy Showcase' this year, but some new avenues are opening up at the moment as a result of a new script. I've got into the attitude and routine of just writing the next idea, trying to maintain the quality and, where possible, show some variety of style. The new sitcom I'm writing is the first one to come out of an idea which I feel must be studio & live audience-based, so I'm enjoying the different challenges of making it work compared to single-camera.
I'm of the opinion that if I keep on writing to a standard that the industry is looking for, build up a reputation, then it will only be a matter of time before something clicks. If I'm not good enough, it should become obvious eventually.
Quote: Deferenz @ June 12 2009, 12:23 PM BSTThis may sound like a stupid question, but how does it feel to get as far as that and then the whole project is dropped? It must be absolutely gutting. To think that it is hard enough to get stuff read in the first place, let alone have it taken further, optioned and ready for development. I remember how bad I felt getting basic rejections.
I was gutted initially, obviously, despite having never really believed it from the outset. I'd written it, my second sitcom pilot, having taken a year off to write. I sent it to Marc Blake at about the time I was offered regular 'day' work and never got an opportunity to rewrite for about 6 months. I did the usual thing and sent it to writers room and was wondering what to do with it next when there seemed to be a buzz on here about a prodco emailing people for submissions. Not me but I sent it off, essentially telling myself this was my last attempt at writing (having had a couple of film scripts optioned over a 10 year period, both coming to nothing).
Almost immediately I got a response saying they liked it and wanted to option it, was I interested. That would be a yes. It went to the BBC without any further work and within a few weeks I was rewriting it to account for their concerns. Assuming they wouldn't like it. They did. And that was the time that we started to talk about being paid a writers fee. Which I couldn't really see happening. It was also at about this time that I had a couple of sentence rejection from writers room. Like I cared what they thought now.
As I expected the whole thing to come crashing in on me at any time, I took the precaution of taking a couple of bottles of champagne to friends for lunch. I normlly only take one so it prompted the question 'are we celebrating'. It was hard to explain but I felt I wanted to celebrate this tiny bit of possible future sucess there and then, because I wouldn't feel like celebrating it when it all went pear shaped, as I knew it was bound to eventially. Although yes, I think it was absolutly worth celebrating, and as pissed off as I was about it, in my eyes, all of those hours I'd spent writng and re writing had been justified. I had sold a piece of writing. At that moment at least, I was a writer.
I don't know if I'll be a writer in a years time or in five years time. But if not, I know have been.
Keep buggering on and hope for more success next time round.
That all probably sounds a bit trite so apologies. I'm supposed to be whipping up a 3 course dinner and shouldn't be on here at all. Now I have to go and do that.
Quote: Tim Walker @ June 12 2009, 12:42 PM BSTBy "philosophical" I don't mean "not giving a shit",
That's a good mind set in a way. It's best to assume it won't work out, no matter how close it seems to be getting, and get on with your next script. I'm as close as I've ever been to getting a pilot commissioned, but I sort of don't even think about it, just assume this is as far as it will go. Obviously that sort of mind set will be impossible for a lot of people though.
I assume it will fall through, so when it does, it's not as big as a blow, in fact it's the opposite in a way, it's confirmation that I'm not completely awful and should keep going.
Also the reason most projects fall through at that stage is nothing to do with quality of the script, but usually other pitfalls outside the writer's control.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ June 12 2009, 2:05 PM BSTAlso the reason most projects fall through at that stage is nothing to do with quality of the script, but usually other pitfalls outside the writer's control.
For example:
https://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/pilots/seven_second_delay/
I was looking through these pilots the other day and did feel for the writer of this one. I guess at least they knew why it went under but in most cases the 'not knowing' why something falls through, must be pretty frustrating.
I agree with those who've said it's still a major achievement to get that far though - and that you won't just be submitting randomly in future - you now have contacts and some previous recognition which should get you to the top of the pile with your next project.
I wasn't going to reply but since I received an e-mail from Jan sometime ago I thought I should.
The first script I sent him he disliked. I can see why now, it was horrible and I'm glad I never sent it to anyone else. However, he seems to really like my new script. And I'm not bothered I had to wait something like a 6 month for a reply.
So, all in all... he's great with feedback and horay!
I got a email from Jan yesterday regarding my series of comedy playlets which he took a interest in, so I sent him the script for the first playlet entitle 'Friendship Comes with a Price Tag'. Whilst I sent him that I also send him the pilot episode to my other project 'Back to Class' with the opportunity of seeing the filmed pilot episode and his command.
He stated to me that he was looking for some Radio 4 material so if that's any help to anyone writing that sort of stuff then expect a email for the great man any minute now.
P.S. What are other writers experiences like with Jan in regards to him getting back to you?
Quote: James Cotter @ June 13 2009, 1:08 PM BSTI got a email from Jan yesterday regarding my series of comedy playlets which he took a interest in, so I sent him the script for the first playlet entitle 'Friendship Comes with a Price Tag'.
1) "About Chris "Nemi" Byhre - "Friendship Comes With A Price Tag" [In Development] (Script Supervisor/Director)" > > > http://tinyurl.com/kmha76
2)"...this one is based on "Friendship Comes With a Price Tag." consists of dialogue between two lonely souls, one of whom is confined to their hospital bed. > > > http://tinyurl.com/mjktow
Best to change the title to avoid confusion!
Quote: James Cotter @ June 13 2009, 1:08 PM BSTP.S. What are other writers experiences like with Jan in regards to him getting back to you?
He never calls, he never writes - and he only visits me when he needs money.
Thanks for the advice. I have many times considered changing the title as it wasn't my original idea like the second link you send me, we both got the title for sending scripts off to University, most popularly Bournemouth so I'm not surprised there's already that title out there and with regards to the first link his project is in development and hasn't been made yet until then I'll stick to my title although I will think about changing it in the time being.
Quote: James Cotter @ June 13 2009, 1:54 PM BSTThanks for the advice. I have many times considered changing the title as I will think about changing it in the time being.
Mates Rates.
What are other writers experiences like with Jan in regards to him getting back to you?
He always gets back to me within hours if I have a query.
The best advice to anyone who has not had a reply from him yet is: Have patience. He reads everything in order of it arriving in his inbox. He WILL get to you. 
As mentioned earlier in this thread, he liked it, optioned it and it was developed with the BBC who, sadly, dropped it having commisioned a pilot script.
That is gutting to hear, but you did get paid for that option, right?
In your experience, Mikey, does Jan have a large inbox?