British Comedy Guide

The Life and Times of Jeremy Spicer Page 4

Quote: Timbo @ December 21 2009, 1:43 PM GMT

Nice production, but as a dramatic monologue it does not really seem to have any story to tell. The performance captured the character but perhaps at the expense of comic timing, not that there was much humour in the script to work with.

Glad you liked the production. The monologue side was to show you who he was it wasn't meant to be hilariously funny. See the episode as a character's back-story on film not a episode of a established comedy that this week isn't that funny.

Quote: sootyj @ December 21 2009, 1:44 PM GMT

For example in the first 3 minutes you seem to tell us 3 times he's an unhappy radio DJ. We should be guessing that from the performance, clues etc.

That is very true and in a real straight monologue I would do that but this isn't really a monologue nor is it a straight comedy that is perhaps were it falls down.

Quote: Marc P @ December 21 2009, 1:44 PM GMT

Yeah for this sort of thing I would stick with pure monologue. You break the conceit by having phone calls etc and people wonder who the hell is he talking to? :)

I was going to paste a link to a monoluge I put up somewhere on an american site by Will Ferrer I think but I have forgotten where it is and don't have the file handy to upload to you tube. It's not great but it illustrates what I mean about characters not being self aware and using reveals to shape your narrative.

I agree about sticking to pure monologue and that is what I am doing with my next project A Matter of Principle. I might post the script on here in a few weeks when it is done because I do know how to write a pure monologue.

Quote: sootyj @ December 21 2009, 1:45 PM GMT

Oh and James we generally ignore the truly awful, so the interest means we see potential.

Thanks for saying that. But what should I do next?

Quote: James Cotter @ December 21 2009, 1:54 PM GMT

Thanks for saying that. But what should I do next?

Try writing a duologue. They're more fun than monologues, and a bit more lively.

Quote: chipolata @ December 21 2009, 1:58 PM GMT

Try writing a duologue. They're more fun than monologues, and a bit more lively.

I have been writing one for a while on and off. They are more lively but I prefer monologues.

Quote: James Cotter @ December 21 2009, 2:03 PM GMT

I have been writing one for a while on and off. They are more lively but I prefer monologues.

Fair enough.

Quote: chipolata @ December 21 2009, 2:06 PM GMT

Fair enough.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned a certain Jennifer Saunders sitcom yet.

Quote: James Cotter @ December 21 2009, 2:17 PM GMT

Thanks for the suggestion though.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned a certain Jennifer Saunders sitcom yet.

I did suggest you could do with an alternative title.

To be honest I'd always shy away from titles like "The Life of" etc.

Quote: Badge @ December 21 2009, 2:24 PM GMT

I did suggest you could do with an alternative title.

Very true you did.

Quote: chipolata @ December 21 2009, 2:27 PM GMT

To be honest I'd always shy away from titles like "The Life of" etc.

I could have just called it Spicer like Hancock. Or Spicer's fifteen minutes.

Eponymous titles are okay. I'd steer clear of titles with "Fifteen minutes" in, though. It's too obvious a reference. IMHO.

Nothing to add beyond what has already been said.

But clearly you are very confident and have a willingness to get in front of the camera which is more than 90% of people.

You need a funny script, with lots of gags and suited for your age. Who knows what could happen.

Quote: chipolata @ December 21 2009, 2:31 PM GMT

Eponymous titles are okay. I'd steer clear of titles with "Fifteen minutes" in, though. It's too obvious a reference. IMHO.

I wasn't going to call it that it was a joke. And I know I said I don't do them and that is why.

Quote: bigfella @ December 21 2009, 2:33 PM GMT

Nothing to add beyond what has already been said.

But clearly you are very confident and have a willingness to get in front of the camera which is more than 90% of people.

You need a funny script, with lots of gags and suited for your age. Who knows what could happen.

Thanks for you feedback. I am 50% there with the confidence and willingness but need more funny material. Well at least I have figured out the bit which is hardest to get first.

So all in all where would you rank this in all of the work I've amassed over the years.

SPICER ON THE RACK

GROUND SPICER

Or my favourite.

A TOUCH OF SPICER

Quote: James Cotter @ December 21 2009, 3:04 PM GMT

So all in all where would you rank this in all of the work I've amassed over the years.

It's not a patch on your CotterCasts.

Quote: Marc P @ December 21 2009, 3:06 PM GMT

SPICER ON THE RACK

GROUND SPICER

Or my favourite.

A TOUCH OF SPICER

Spicer on the Rack is my favourite.

Quote: don rushmore @ December 21 2009, 3:07 PM GMT

It's not a patch on your CotterCasts.

I don't know I think it's a tad better then them.

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