The Life and Times of Jeremy Spicer Page 8

Quote: greensville @ December 22 2009, 3:31 PM GMT

My main problem is that it's just too long. I got about 3 minutes in and quit it. I think that's about my limit on user generated clips. I reckon it could have been heavily edited down. If Jezza was a recurring character in 2 minute clips, that would make him more watchable. I'm all for charcter stuff but it still needs to be funny. Oh and agree with people who say you're too young for the role. He's supposed to be an ex-newsnight reporter, yes? He should be in his 50's or something. Why not make him an ex-newsround reporter? That would solve the age issue...

Anyway, just a few thoughts as I take a break from Assassins Creed 2.

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15 minutes is not that long is it. If it were thirty or over I'll agree but 15 minutes no.

I agree with Jeremy participating in a series of two minute clips, that's a good idea.

If you would have watched the programme or read the bio then you would no he never was a Newsnight presenter that is part of the comedy that so alluded you.

I don't have a problem with the age issue I think I look older then I am in the show.

Quote: James Cotter @ December 22 2009, 3:41 PM GMT

I don't have a problem with the age issue I think I look older then I am in the show.

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How old are you, James? Late teens?

Quote: Ben @ December 22 2009, 3:45 PM GMT

How old are you, James? Late teens?

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19.

Well, James, you look your age in Jeremy Spicer and all the other things you've done. You have that fresh faced look. And that's not a dig.

Quote: Ben @ December 22 2009, 3:47 PM GMT

Well, James, you look your age in Jeremy Spicer and all the other things you've done. You have that fresh faced look. And that's not a dig.

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I think I look older then I am. Especially in Harris & Doyle.

15 minutes for user generated stuff is way too long (but that's just my opinion!). I try and keep my clips hovering around 3 mins at most because my thinking is, as soon as someone clicks to watch and they see that it's 7 minutes or longer then unless something amazing unfolds they won't sit through it. This has been the case with your clip, if I'm not mistaken. I think a few others didn't make it past 3 mins.

Thought it was well acted just needed more funny bits. I shouldn't have to read a biog to get the humour that according to you alluded me. If I show someone a clip and they don't laugh I don't go down the whole 'it was above your head route' either, but again that's just me.

Go on make him ex-newsround! That would be hilarious! Don't you think it'd be funny if he has all these delusions and he was just a roving reporter or something on a kids news programme? No? Erm...ok then...

You could make something BETTER than an ex-newsround reporter...... didnt newsround do a competition a few years back where viewers got the chance to do a report. You could make him a kid that did that ONCE and he still thinks he's big time!

IMHO its all too Alan Partridge (i know its already been said). I loved Alan and I love clever humour but this just hasnt got enough funnys in it for such a long sketch/clip.

Cut it to 5mins with the same humour and I think you'll have something half decent needing a little more work.

I agree with Greensville, you shouldnt have to read a bio to find the comedy, it needs to be there from the off.

Take the comments given here and go back and try again, we're all here to help not hinder you mate.

James, here's some tough love from someone who's resisted weighing in until now and only wants to provide some helpful criticism:

It is too long. Like Greensville says, it's a user generated internet piece. No one bar your friends, family and well-wishers is going to sit still for long enough to watch a single location, 15 minute monologue. Ask yourself, when was the last time you spent 15 mins watching a non-broadcast internet video? Brevity is the soul of wit, especially with the medium you've chosen.

You are too young to play that character. You look 19 (if not younger) and simply don't convince as a world-weary DJ. That's not to say your acting is deficient (you're actually rather good I think) but you need to pick a role more suited to your looks. It's obvious you're a Brent/Partridge fan but that doesn't mean you have to ape existing characters. Plough your own furrow, friend.

Lastly, don't get shirty with your audience because they make comments about your work that's less than rapturous. If people don't watch a show to the end then that might be because you've failed to make something entertaining enough to convince them to do so. And remember, only a true blue JC fan is going to read a character bio before watching a vid, so berate people for their ignorance at your own peril. Carry on that way and the only audience you'll be left catering to are the afformentioned friends, family and well-wishers prepared to indulge you out of kindness.

Now you can take that crit as being the product of a fevered/jealous/deluded mind or you can take a moment and wonder why so many people (some of them actually paid to write) are all saying the same things about your work. Instead of simply saying things like "15 minutes isn't too long" or "I think I know how to write a monologue" or "I look older than I am", without any argument to back up what you're saying, why don't you try working from the assumption that the popular opinion might have some validity and see if you can't use the help people are offering to improve the quality of your work?

Quote: greensville @ December 22 2009, 4:01 PM GMT

15 minutes for user generated stuff is way too long (but that's just my opinion!). I try and keep my clips hovering around 3 mins at most because my thinking is, as soon as someone clicks to watch and they see that it's 7 minutes or longer then unless something amazing unfolds they won't sit through it. This has been the case with your clip, if I'm not mistaken. I think a few others didn't make it past 3 mins.

Thought it was well acted just needed more funny bits. I shouldn't have to read a biog to get the humour that according to you alluded me. If I show someone a clip and they don't laugh I don't go down the whole 'it was above your head route' either, but again that's just me.

Go on make him ex-newsround! That would be hilarious! Don't you think it'd be funny if he has all these delusions and he was just a roving reporter or something on a kids news programme? No? Erm...ok then...

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I am not making sketches so I will continue to make 15 minutes and above. I am not a fan of comedy you watch in under three minutes then never go back to. I would rather prefer something longer that with a few watches really grows on me like Dinnerladies.

I didn't say you needed to read the biog to get the humour. You need to watch a whole show before critique it though and if you did that you would have found more comedy and also found more about the Newsnight gig. I said if you can't be bothered to watch the show then at least read the biog before passing comment.

Amen David!

Well said, well put! GENIUS!

Quote: James Cotter @ December 22 2009, 3:41 PM GMT

...
If you would have watched the programme or read the bio then you would no he never was a Newsnight Presenter...

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Quote: James Cotter @ December 20 2009, 7:55 PM GMT

...The life and times of an ex-Newsnight presenter ...

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Quote: James Cotter @ December 22 2009, 4:17 PM GMT

I am not making sketches so I will continue to make 15 minutes and above. I am not a fan of comedy you watch in under three minutes then never go back to.

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Are there many 'internet only' 15 minute clips which are popular?

Quote: David Bussell @ December 22 2009, 4:13 PM GMT

James, here's some tough love

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I remember when you used to Tough Love me. Not anymore.

Quote: James Cotter @ December 22 2009, 4:17 PM GMT

You need to watch a whole show before critique it though and if you did that you would have found more comedy and also found more about the Newsnight gig.

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As people keep saying, you need to hook viewers from the start. Not 4 minutes in.

If you would have read the box you copied that from you would know it was called information not bio. The biography was posted on my website with the link and the big massive ego ridden picture of me. Look before you comment.