If you were offered the chance to write for The Green Green Grass would you do it or turn it down?
Commit or Forget...
What, you mean the chance to work on a major mainstream show with top industry professionals, massively raising my profile within the industry and getting paid 5 grand for the privilege?
Nah.
I honestly wouldn't. I don't think I could do justice to something I didn't like and didn't believe in.
I used to work on crappy adverts and videos. The money was very good, but after a while your soul dies a little and I gave it up, turning down some 'good' (i.e finacially) jobs before. I'm not starving and desperate, so I'd say no.
A job's a job. I'd take it.
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ August 24 2009, 7:57 PM BSTA job's a job. I'd take it.
Yeah, but if you think like that you may as well work in McDonald's, or just take a well paid job you hate. If you're choosing a career in writing, because you don't want a run of the mill type job, then I think you owe it to yourself to only do stuff you like and believe in.
I'd do it but leave complex Masquerade style clues, so when you read all my dreary gags in the right order it'll spell.
"Bill Oddie has a paedo beard."
But yes I'd do it. Money is money.
Quote: sootyj @ August 24 2009, 8:07 PM BSTI'd do it but leave complex Masquerade style clues, so when you read all my dreary gags in the right order it'll spell.
"Bill Oddie has a paedo beard."
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ August 24 2009, 8:03 PM BSTYeah, but if you think like that you may as well work in McDonald's, or just take a well paid job you hate. If you're choosing a career in writing, because you don't want a run of the mill type job, then I think you owe it to yourself to only do stuff you like and believe in.
Alternatively, if you're choosing a career in writing, you owe it to yourself to get paid for that career in writing.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ August 24 2009, 8:03 PM BSTYeah, but if you think like that you may as well work in McDonald's, or just take a well paid job you hate. If you're choosing a career in writing, because you don't want a run of the mill type job, then I think you owe it to yourself to only do stuff you like and believe in.
I agree, however I find that very small bit of success I have had has only come from selling my soul. I am finding that to write what I really believe in I get told to tone it down, I reckon the only way I will really be able to write what I beleive or to write in a way I really like is to be success at other types of writing first. I know Mrs Merton was good however if Caroline Ahern hadn't made that a success there is no way in a million years she'd have been able to get The Royle Family on air.
Quote: Lee Henman @ August 24 2009, 6:50 PM BSTWhat, you mean the chance to work on a major mainstream show with top industry professionals, massively raising my profile within the industry and getting paid 5 grand for the privilege?
Nah.
Well, yes. 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ August 24 2009, 6:57 PM BSTI honestly wouldn't. I don't think I could do justice to something I didn't like and didn't believe in.
I used to work on crappy adverts and videos. The money was very good, but after a while your soul dies a little and I gave it up, turning down some 'good' (i.e finacially) jobs before. I'm not starving and desperate, so I'd say no.
And this was my point. Not every writer would say yes.
If it was a show that you were a massive fan of... I still don't know if you'd say yes. 
I think most writers would say yes, unless their in such a lofty position they can turn it down. It's good money, experience, contacts and something other than Tilt sketch on your CV.
Quote: chipolata @ August 25 2009, 10:21 AM BSTI think most writers would say yes, unless their in such a lofty position they can turn it down. It's good money, experience, contacts and something other than Tilt sketch on your CV.
I dunno.... I'm going on previous experience in an other industry. I found doing stuff you didn't think was very good didn't lead to the sort of contacts and offers for things you really wanted to do. Eg, having an article in 19 Magazine wasn't going to get me a feature in Vogue. Doing the wardrobe for a DJ Otzi video was never going to get me styling Madonna's next tour. And it sort of defeated the fact that you were making sacrifices to do something different.
But like I said, I'm not desperate for money. I also think you owe it your audience to at least like the product that you're writing for them.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ August 25 2009, 11:20 AM BSTI dunno.... I'm going on previous experience in an other industry. I found doing stuff you didn't think was very good didn't lead to the sort of contacts and offers for things you really wanted to do. Eg, having an article in 19 Magazine wasn't going to get me a feature in Vogue. Doing the wardrobe for a DJ Otzi video was never going to get me styling Madonna's next tour. And it sort of defeated the fact that you were making sacrifices to do something different.
But like I said, I'm not desperate for money. I also think you owe it your audience to at least like the product that you're writing for them.
I could never write for something like EastEnders or Coronation Street, even though I am capable of writing twaddle.
Coronation Street twaddle- it is the dogs bollocks, watched it all my life and continue to do so, though I do have to say, EastEnders is rubbish.
Quote: Jack Massey @ August 25 2009, 11:46 AM BSTCoronation Street twaddle- it is the dogs bollocks, watched it all my life and continue to do so, though I do have to say, EastEnders is rubbish.
Yeah, well I must admit I have watched a couple of episodes recently (due to a shared television) and have got quite interested in this drug setup storyline. EastEnders is just too depressing to even contemplate watching. If it ends up on the telly, then I'm gone.