T.W.
Monday 9th November 2009 6:05am [Edited]
15,786 posts
Quote: dinglyd @ November 8 2009, 7:24 PM GMT
My question to you lovely people is, how good is the writers room? Also, I have got a well known couple of names from TV interested in reading my script and sent it to them. One of them has said if it was of interest in her she has a pal who is head of a large indie production company. From all of your experience is that a good position to be in? Or does it not matter who approaches the production company?
Hi there, Dinglyd,
If you have potential contacts in the industry, then definitely use them. As long as you're never pushy and don't over-step the boundaries of friendship and favours etc, then you've got to use every string to your bow. It's amazing how one contact can lead to another.
In terms of who approaches a production company with your script then, so long as the person who's doing you the favour is on good terms with the company themselves, you should be fine. If they are using your script as a get-in for their own projects/purposes then be wary - you wouldn't want to get frowned upon by association. Generally though, go for it, if your script's good then it will get noticed.
BBC Writersroom is no bad place to send a script, especially when you're starting out. Expect a long wait for a response and don't take it personally if you don't get any kind of detailed feedback. They are far too busy, receiving so many scripts, as to be able to give quality feedback to all of them. I've personally only ever sent them one script, which they didn't like particularly. That same script got me a meeting with a top comedy producer. Doesn't mean that Writersroom don't know what they're doing, just that comedy especially is very subjective. But for the sake of someone else to read it, you might as well send them a copy.
I'd be wary of mentioning any "spin-off" show from your idea as it stands. That's rather getting ahead of yourself! Just concentrate on that first pilot script, getting the idea of what the show is about in your head (so as to be able to communicate your vision) and possibly some ideas for what you see happening in future episodes. I also wouldn't claim to have a show that can run forever. Even if this is true, that kind of talk will reek of a) arrogance and b) naivety. The first hurdle is always to get on the road to a pilot, that should be enough to concentrate on for now.
Best of luck with your project.