Why is it that a sketch you're about to send is the most brilliant thing ever written, but once it's gone you realise it's total shit?
Newsjack - Series 2 Page 15
Hi Wishus and everybody else,
I'm a newbie too. Just wanted to say 'Hello' and good luck for this week.
I also have a quick question. I know we are limited to 3 sketches - but are there any limits on the Vox Pops and Corrections?
Quote: Mikey Jackson @ January 11 2010, 6:37 PM GMTDoes your sketch have enough legs to be able to be submitted next week?
Possibly depending on the weather but would be best for this week.
No chance it could be a VOXPOP wouldn't work, if they don't read it I'll stick it on here and see what you all think 
Quote: Niki256 @ January 11 2010, 7:26 PM GMTI also have a quick question. I know we are limited to 3 sketches - but are there any limits on the Vox Pops and Corrections?
I don't think there is a limit but as they say, quality not quantity 
Quote: Gerry McDonnell @ January 11 2010, 2:58 PM GMTIt's a strange phenomenon. I've often proof-read a piece a number of times, but on the first re-read after pressing 'send' I spot a spelling mistake or an obvious improvement. Most perplexing.
Ditto - infuriating. I should construct a dummy Send button for myself, except I can always tell when I'm lying.
Quote: Keeper @ January 11 2010, 7:23 PM GMTWhy is it that a sketch you're about to send is the most brilliant thing ever written, but once it's gone you realise it's total shit?
All shit was something better before it was dispatched (except KFC). 
Quote: clueless @ January 11 2010, 8:31 PM GMTDitto - infuriating. I should construct a dummy Send button for myself, except I can always tell when I'm lying.
Get someone else you trust to read it?
Nogget, I should do exactly that and haven't got a decent reason why I don't - need a New Year kick up arse in that direction.
Well, it is week two of my writing 'experiment'. Sent in six items this week in total - 3 voxpops - two short jokes - and one newsbullet item. No joy last week, but Im gonna keep plugging away and see how it goes. Good luck everyone this week.
Jay
Well done to those who got in last week.
And good luck to us all this week.
I agree sketches always seem better before you send them whether you've had feedback or not!
I'm sure they initially said only send 3 vox pops but they mentioned elsewhere you might send 12 on one document. I tend to just send my best 3 or 4 so the don't get lost in the average ones.
I think they've already said that if they love your stuff they'll ask you for more.
Do people think it's better to send your allocated three sketches in whether you think they're great or not? I decided to just send my favourite one this week and not include the others which I thought weren't punchy enough. Is it better to be associated with sending a few of your best sketches or for being able to churn out lots every week I wonder.
I say all this safe in the knowledge that it's v hard to get a sketch used at all. I'll keep trying but would be chuffed even to get a vox pop in again!
I might go along to the recording this week - anyone else going?
Jx
Do people think it's better to send your allocated three sketches in whether you think they're great or not? I decided to just send my favourite one this week and not include the others which I thought weren't punchy enough. Is it better to be associated with sending a few of your best sketches or for being able to churn out lots every week I wonder.
I say all this safe in the knowledge that it's v hard to get a sketch used at all. I'll keep trying but would be chuffed even to get a vox pop in again!
I'm sure it would be better to send you best stuff, at least that is what I am trying this week. But maybe of you have a load of one-liners it might be best to put what you think is your best stuff at the top of the page - making sure that at least they get read.
I agree it is obviously difficlt to get anything on. But you gotta justkeep pluggng away.
Jay
Personally I think it's better just to send in everything that you've written as what you might think is chaff might, in the hands of a skilled performer (and with the help of a re-write) by comedy wheat...erm gold or something.
Send it all in and let them decide. I've got stuff in before that I've thought was obvious and pretty rubbish and then my "killer" lines have been discarded like so much tawdry wrapping paper.
Well, despite my best efforts not to, I send in 3 vox pops and a correction this week.
I don't know why I bother as my sense of humour is so vastly different to the style of Newsjack. It's almost akin to Frankie Boyle writing an episode of the Chuckle Brothers.
In fact, I'm pretty sure they won't be using my African Cup of Nations / dead Togolese footballer gag.
Well, despite my best efforts not to, I send in 3 vox pops and a correction this week.
I don't know why I bother as my sense of humour is so vastly different to the style of Newsjack. It's almost akin to Frankie Boyle writing an episode of the Chuckle Brothers.
In fact, I'm pretty sure they won't be using my African Cup of Nations / dead Togolese footballer gag.
Agreed, very slim chance of them using that... Totaly agree with you about the tone of the show too. Its not really my sense of humour either, but it has been interesting practicing how to write and format gags to get hem on if nothing else.
Jay
Jane,
If I could muster any more than the amount of sketches and vox pops that I do (this week no one liners at all) I would start some kind of selection process. What with my job, wife, two year old son and everything else, I steal four hours or so in the dead of night frantically trying to beat hot iron comedy over the anvil of news. This week I only fashioned three sketches. I guess that's probably a bad sign. Everybody here seems to have sketches and one liners on tap. 
Oh no way, three sketches is good! re the should-I-send-it-if-I-think-it's-crap-dilemma, I'd have to say no.
I'm thinking that if I think it's crap it's unlikely anyone else will think it's great. It must be a major slogso best have them thinking happy thoughts about you by not giving them your second best stuff. I'm trying to stick to the old "Kill your babies" saying. Which is a tip to writers, NOT parents.