BBC Writers Room Page 6

Quote: Tim Walker @ April 1 2010, 11:02 PM BST

Then why even bother to ask your initial questions in the first place? Seriously, if you've already made up your mind that your opinion is the correct one, then there really is absolutely no point soliciting others for their views.

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I hadn't made up my mind, in fact originally I didn't want to send it to them. I was then universally lambasted for wanting an ad break, and now thinking about it more logically, I've decided to amend it and send it to them because there doesn't appear to be any other avenues open to me. I've come to this conclusion because of some of the helpful replies in this thread, and I've learned it needs to be 30 minutes long without a break written into it. I also think I've been relatively laid back in here, except with one post which was both unconstructive and snide, posted after the thread had died down and I'd changed my opinion. I thank you all again for your kind wishes and helpful comments, but I do admit to hoping I never have to post in this Godforsaken thread again.

And if you do decide to include an ad break, make sure it's in the first ten pages as that's normally as far as they get.

I'll give Oscar your love.

Quote: Lazzard @ April 2 2010, 12:34 AM BST

I'll give Oscar your love.

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Seeing as that'll be the closest I'll ever get to Oscar, can you give him my love too?

Does anyone happen know what the most popular sitcom settings from scripts sent into BBC WR are? Is it flatshares? (as I expect it is) I would ask them, but it's like waiting for a bus in the middle of nowhere.

I'm sure I read somewhere that it was flatshare. (particularly featuring 20-something singles in London with oh-so-crazy lifestyles)
With shop-based coming a close second.
Office-based third.
And copycats (awful replicas of whatever's "in" at the time) coming fourth.

Remember that setting is not the most important factor. It's characters.
They're looking for memorable characters, how said characters interact, etc.
Oh, and execution is high on the list too.
Not beheading though. I mean how the sitcom, setting, characters, their faults and personalities, the plots and storylines are executed.

Let me tell you about my experience with BBC WritersRoom.

I sent them a script which I had previously entered into the Scriptapalooza TV writing competition in the US in 2010. It was judged by a panel of industry professionals and placed as a Finalist (top 8 out of nearly 600 entries globally) in the Original Drama Pilot category. This competition is also endorsed by BBC WritersRoom on their web site.

Unsurprisingly, BBC WR rejected my script, even though they claim to champion new writers. So if they really do that, then who do they actually 'champion' and how qualified are their Readers? Have they ever written/directed/produced anything? Not even a short five minute film?? The 'Script Assistant' who answered my letter hasn't got any IMDB credits so probably not.

Some might say sour grapes but to me the whole thing is just a fob off. I understand they receive 10,000 scripts per year but can they point to any working Writer who has gone through their system? My advice would be not to waste your time with them (though this is what they probably want) and concentrate on finding a good TV Producer to make your idea.

Top 8 of Scriptapalooza? Impressive. I was thinking about sending my script to the Writers' Room, but now I'm not sure.

Quote: nm keegan @ June 16 2010, 7:43 PM BST

Let me tell you about my experience with BBC WritersRoom.

I sent them a script which I had previously entered into the Scriptapalooza TV writing competition in the US in 2010. It was judged by a panel of industry professionals and placed as a Finalist (top 8 out of nearly 600 entries globally) in the Original Drama Pilot category. This competition is also endorsed by BBC WritersRoom on their web site.

Unsurprisingly, BBC WR rejected my script, even though they claim to champion new writers. So if they really do that, then who do they actually 'champion' and how qualified are their Readers? Have they ever written/directed/produced anything? Not even a short five minute film?? The 'Script Assistant' who answered my letter hasn't got any IMDB credits so probably not.

Some might say sour grapes but to me the whole thing is just a fob off. I understand they receive 10,000 scripts per year but can they point to any working Writer who has gone through their system? My advice would be not to waste your time with them (though this is what they probably want) and concentrate on finding a good TV Producer to make your idea.

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Post your script in critique. Get a proper and well informed judgement of it's strengths and failings.

Quote: Marc P @ June 16 2010, 11:35 PM BST

Post your script in critique. Get a proper and well informed judgement of it's strengths and failings.

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Hiya Benkins, it's the way you tell 'em!

Frankie xxx :-)

Quote: Frankie Rage @ June 17 2010, 8:54 AM BST

Hiya Benkins, it's the way you tell 'em!

Frankie xxx :-)

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Welcome back Frankie!

Quote: nm keegan @ June 16 2010, 7:43 PM BST

My advice would be not to waste your time with them (though this is what they probably want) and concentrate on finding a good TV Producer to make your idea.

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I'm no fan of the Writers Room (and vice-versa,I should imagine)and I'm sure they miss a ton of good stuff (as well as wading through a sea of shite) with their 10 page rule - but it's hardly a huge waste of your time.
Just send the script off and forget it - one of the 38 different avenues you should be pursuing to get recognized.
If they come back with a thumbs up -hurrah! - if not, f**k 'em, get on with the next thing.

Ironically, I'm of the firm opinion that it's competitions that are a waste of time & money. Their sole job is to fleece cash from wannabe writers - talent spotting is way, way down on their list.

At least The Writers Room, albeit flawed to buggery, is faintly altruistic at heart.

Quote: Lazzard @ June 17 2010, 10:57 AM BST

I'm no fan of the Writers Room (and vice-versa,I should imagine)and I'm sure they miss a ton of good stuff (as well as wading through a sea of shite) with their 10 page rule - but it's hardly a huge waste of your time.
Just send the script off and forget it - one of the 38 different avenues you should be pursuing to get recognized.
If they come back with a thumbs up -hurrah! - if not, f**k 'em, get on with the next thing.

Ironically, I'm of the firm opinion that it's competitions that are a waste of time & money. Their sole job is to fleece cash from wannabe writers - talent spotting is way, way down on their list.

At least The Writers Room, albeit flawed to buggery, is faintly altruistic at heart.

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Here here!

I wouldn't bother wasting the price of a stamp on the Writers Room, let alone wasting your time complaining about them.

Quote: David Bussell @ June 17 2010, 11:09 AM BST

Here here!

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Where?

Quote: Tim Walker @ April 2 2010, 12:02 AM BST

Seriously, if you've already made up your mind that your opinion is the correct one, then there really is absolutely no point soliciting others for their views.

View original

It's a good job Tim left, he really didn't understand how forums work.

Quote: Lazzard @ June 17 2010, 10:57 AM BST

I'm no fan of the Writers Room (and vice-versa,I should imagine)and I'm sure they miss a ton of good stuff (as well as wading through a sea of shite) with their 10 page rule - but it's hardly a huge waste of your time.
Just send the script off and forget it - one of the 38 different avenues you should be pursuing to get recognized.
If they come back with a thumbs up -hurrah! - if not, f**k 'em, get on with the next thing.

Ironically, I'm of the firm opinion that it's competitions that are a waste of time & money. Their sole job is to fleece cash from wannabe writers - talent spotting is way, way down on their list.

At least The Writers Room, albeit flawed to buggery, is faintly altruistic at heart.

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Any ideas about the other 37 avenues I can pursue?

As for competitions, I agree. A lot of them do fleece money off writers, but I looked into Scriptapalooza beforehand and I think it's definitely one of the better ones (not because I did well in it). Some writers end up working on TV series and they try to promote the top 20 odd writers for a year.

And if BBC WR promote it and other comps on their site it can't be a complete scam, or can it???