Bob Larbey this time: http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/27494/good-life-writer-slams-tv-commissioning
Dan
Another Writer Slams Commissioning Structure
What he says about committees, reminds me of something Bruce Robinson said in Smoking In Bed about Hollywood. There's 'suits' sitting in on meetings who feel obliged to say something, anything, to justify their job and hence end up ruining projects with stupid suggestions, etc.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ March 10 2010, 9:54 AM GMTWhat he says about committees, reminds me of something Bruce Robinson said in Smoking In Bed about Hollywood. There's 'suits' sitting in on meetings who feel obliged to say something, anything, to justify their job and hence end up ruining projects with stupid suggestions, etc.
It's endemic to the whole production process I think. Everyone feels like they have to put their own stamp on the script (be they Director, Producer or Actor), which can cause the meat of the thing to be pulled in so many directions it eventually comes apart.
I've never been involved in the commissioning of a 70s sitcom or a modern sitcom, but it does seem as though the old guard get in a huff about it. Are they not accepting that things have changed or do they have genuine cause to be vexed?
Quote: Ben @ March 10 2010, 10:36 AM GMTI've never been involved in the commissioning of a 70s sitcom or a modern sitcom, but it does seem as though the old guard get in a huff about it. Are they not accepting that things have changed or do they have genuine cause to be vexed?
Both.
it's that old story when a committee got together to design a horse and the end result was a three humped camel. Nothing changes
Quote: bushbaby @ March 10 2010, 12:18 PM GMTit's that old story when a committee got together to design a horse and the end result was a three humped camel. Nothing changes
Not all commitees spend their exies on dromedray prostitutes!
Quote: sootyj @ March 10 2010, 12:26 PM GMTNot all commitees spend their exies on dromedray prostitutes!
fab
Quote: Ben @ March 10 2010, 10:36 AM GMTI've never been involved in the commissioning of a 70s sitcom or a modern sitcom, but it does seem as though the old guard get in a huff about it. Are they not accepting that things have changed or do they have genuine cause to be vexed?
It seems in the past writers were given much more freedom. Now it appears everything is done with a bigger nod to marketing and financial issues. Of course TV is ultimately a business, but what I think writers from the past are trying to say is that there were less constraints.
I reckon that Bob Larbey should get down to Simon and Declan's why my script wasn't picked workshop! 
Have you booked your place?
No I'm still sulking! 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ March 10 2010, 2:24 PM GMTOf course TV is ultimately a business,
The BBC used to be a Service.
And there's the rub.
Quote: Lazzard @ March 10 2010, 3:26 PM GMTThe BBC used to be a Service.
And there's the rub.
To be fair Lazzard the BBC used to be the BBC that all changed a while back. 
Quote: Marc P @ March 10 2010, 3:28 PM GMTTo be fair Lazzard the BBC used to be the BBC that all changed a while back.
Sorry, came over all Reithian for a moment, there.
"Don't give 'em what they want, give 'em what they need!"