What would you rather write, a populist sitcom that gets huge viewing figures but is slated by the critics as being one of the worst ever and will forever brand you as a hack writer? Or an award winning masterpiece that gets zero viewers and is cancelled after a series? Me, I'd take the first option for the sake of my bank balance.
Cash is King. Show me the money.
I think most of the writers in this forum wouldn't mind either option to be honest. We're in it for the writing, and money or critical acclaim are bonuses.
As much as I love to write, a large part of me is in it for the money. Let's face it, it's STUPID money what people in entertainment get paid.
Only the small percentage who are very successful. From experience I would rather earn £18k a yr doing a job I love than £60k doing a job I don't.
I like a man with high moral's. I'm the greedy bast**d that'll take your £60K a year job.
Go for it. It's not morals, I just don't want to waste my days doing a crap job.
I'm with Simon here. I do have morals and I would rather write six episodes of say an unsuccessful Taxi (I know it was a hit) and get paid £20,000 than write a show like Two Pints and make a million.
It's other people who think you have written a 2 Pints. It's the writer who thinks he or she has written a Father Ted.
I have never heard a writer say, 'It's not my best work so don't give me the million. 18k will do nicely.'
No - I'm saying I don't mind either way, as long as I'm writing for a living, I'm happy.
Take the money and then start writing under a different name, Jo Whiley sounds quite good.
I'd prefer the second. Definitely.
But then I'd try and do the first under an assumed name.
Like on the days I want to be a novelist, same thing as above, only I'd write a bit of Mills & Boon crap under some name like Felicity Blushhaven.
Ach - if I'm forced to choose - I'd go for the former. And marry Felicity Blushhaven.
Just having one other person read something is cool enough.
I would never base MY life on trying to become a pro. writer. That would be ridiculous.
I do want to do something extroadinary though. I dont know what yet.
Maybe I will be the first woman ever to scale the fences of Catterick & frog march her son home. I might make the local news!
Quote: chipolata @ August 30, 2007, 10:11 AMWhat would you rather write, a populist sitcom that gets huge viewing figures but is slated by the critics as being one of the worst ever and will forever brand you as a hack writer? Or an award winning masterpiece that gets zero viewers and is cancelled after a series? Me, I'd take the first option for the sake of my bank balance.
Has either of these scenarios happened before? I'd be surprised if something won an award with no viewers and having been canned after series one.
Anyway, I'd go for the first one. I enjoy making people laugh and know that the viewing figures is what gets you another series and more contracts. Also critics can be wrong.