Quote: simon wright @ September 25 2009, 7:55 PM BSTIf coming to the workshop was an absolute guarantee that you'd get in they wouldn't have had to spend all that time ploughing through 380 entries. They could just have taken everybody who came to our last couple of workshops.
You've given me an idea. I'll suggest it to them. Thanks.
I'm guessing that you probably knew at least five people from previous competions.
There are 5 names that I recognise from last year.
Graham Linehan's words of advice. He sadly can't make it along as a judge for the Sitcom Trials (though we have some cool names lined up, stay tuned). But Graham offered us a Twitter length nugget advice for budding sitcom writers:
"don't think of it as a stage play. cut down dialogue and make sure lots of things *happen*."
So there you have it. Let's hope all this season's entrants followed those guidelines, retrospectively in a Derren Brown style.
Kev F
PS: BBC Writers Room won't announce the finalists in the Sitcom Trials, in case you wondered why there's no mention up there. They write:
"Unfortunately we can't publish a list of all 20 finalists, but I'll be happy to announce the names of the winner and the runners-up from the Grand Final on the blog.
Drop me a line after the event."
They must be tight for space.
Quote: Kev F @ September 28 2009, 3:17 PM BSTPS: BBC Writers Room won't announce the finalists in the Sitcom Trials, in case you wondered why there's no mention up there. They write:
"Unfortunately we can't publish a list of all 20 finalists, but I'll be happy to announce the names of the winner and the runners-up from the Grand Final on the blog.
Drop me a line after the event."
They must be tight for space.
hmm. 
Hi Sitcom Trials followers,
A quick note to remind you that the Sitcom Trials begins its run at the Leicester Square Theatre on Monday Oct 19th, with shows every Monday night at 6pm (£5) and 8.30 (£10) leading to the grand final in December.
Judges lined up for the first few shows include I'm Alan Partridge star and comedy writer David Schneider, Red Dwarf star and author Robert Llewellyn, Inbetweeners writer Iain Morris, and Brass Eye & TV Burp writer David Quantick, with more cracking names being lined up as I type.
James Parker, the season's producer, will be announcing the line up of sitcoms very shortly. In the meantime tickets are now available online at http://bit.ly/1MLzMt (that's Ticketweb.co.uk if the link doesn't work directly) and have already started selling nicely. (Some people pointed out that the LST has redesigned its website and our listing disappeared. Don't worry the show is still on, they are sorting that problem out)
News and updates will appear here and at sitcomtrials.co.uk, we all look forward to seeing you at the shows. Have fun.
Kev F Sutherland
Executive Producer
The Sitcom Trials
http://sitcomtrials.co.uk
I just got my ticket for the opening night. As someone who didn't make it through, I will be watching the entries with some scrutiny.
If even one of them isn't funny in the slightest, I will be throwing my plastic beer glass at the stage and screaming 'fix!'. (Except I won't, I'll go to the pub afterwards and bitch about it.)
The Judges sound great, well done.
Are you gonna stick your entry up here, as it were, RCP?
Quote: Marc P @ September 30 2009, 4:08 PM BSTAre you gonna stick your entry up here, as it were, RCP?
Probably, but after I've been to Simon and Declan's workshop on 24th October. If it turns out my writing is awful, I'll stick it up in Critique - if it turns out the judges were wrong and I've written the next big thing - it will stay under wraps.
And that is my devious plan.
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ September 30 2009, 4:24 PM BSTProbably, but after I've been to Simon and Declan's workshop on 24th October. If it turns out my writing is awful, I'll stick it up in Critique - if it turns out the judges were wrong and I've written the next big thing - it will stay under wraps.
What do you think you might learn from the workshop?
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ September 30 2009, 4:28 PM BSTWhat do you think you might learn from the workshop?
I'd like to learn the reasons for my script(s) not being accepted into this year's Sitcom Trials. I believe for those attending the workshop, James Parker will be doing a critique of all of the scripts that didn't make it.
Obviously, what I really want to hear is -'Sorry, your script wasn't quite right for the Leicester Square Theatre, but would be perfect for BBC 1 - so get writing the full length version, you little comedy scamp!'
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ September 30 2009, 4:04 PM BSTIf even one of them isn't funny in the slightest, I will be throwing my plastic beer glass at the stage and screaming 'fix!'.
I seem to remember Griff heckling his own entry last time. 
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ September 30 2009, 4:38 PM BSTI'd like to learn the reasons for my script(s) not being accepted into this year's Sitcom Trials. I believe for those attending the workshop, James Parker will be doing a critique of all of the scripts that didn't make it.
What's the fee for that? Did he read all the scripts himself then?
Hi Marc and everyone
The cost of the workshop is £40, which includes having your script read out by professional actors. James has offered to provide feedback on all the scripts at the workshop (provided we give him enough notice, ie don't turn up on the day!)
Email us at info@every1sacritic.com if you're interested. Or we could swap you for a mention in your next book:
"Jack Delaney slugged a double whiskey and poured himself another. He'd had enough of BBC script executives standing in his way. He wanted to know the truth. The truth, dammit.
His sitcom script, I'm a Catholic And It Hurts Like Hell, has been rejected again. But this time he wasn't taking no for an answer. He sent off a swift email to award-winning producers Declan Hill and Simon Wright of Every 1's A Critic. It had better work."
I understand there's an options clause for the (ab)use of your characters. Apologies in advance.
I'm looking forward to reading the new book.
Cheers, Declan
I'll be there for the first heat – I'm looking forward to it!
I've probably said it before but I recommend Simon and Dec's workshop.
There are lots of courses where you'll hear about the mechanics of writing which is all useful of course and sometimes your script might be read out by whoever's there, but let's face it a lot of writers (myself included) make rubbish actors and can mumble/ fluff their way through the funniest of lines.
At the workshop I went to, the standard of acting was very high and the actors were more than happy to give feedback and chat to us all afterwards. So you find out if the laughs are where you think they are and get an opportunity to network with potential actors for future projects.
Before you ask Marc, no I haven't been paid for this post. 
Agree with JP here. The standard of the acting at readthroughs was exceptional and well worth it (particularly if you've never had anything read out loud). It shows exactly what works/doesn't and helps with timings/pacings and critiquing of the script. I recommend it thoroughly. In fact, I'd go again if I wasn't busy on the 24th.
Dan
