True, true.
it's my new catchphrase.
Channel 4 commissioning Page 5
Quote: Marc P @ July 12 2010, 10:58 AM BSTTrue, true.
it's my new catchphrase.
That's two true
Quote: David Bussell @ July 12 2010, 10:19 AM BSTI can't, simply because sending scripts to prod cos has got me absolutely nowhere to date. If I were you I'd think about other ways to make contact. Join writers groups, soak up information from your peers, win competitions, produce your own web content, produce your own pilot, learn some industry skills other than writing (directing/editing/acting/stand up etc). If you've been sending scripts out cold for years with no success then you should figure out how else you can get on the industry radar.
Sometimes it's about the quality of rejection, though, isn't it?
No reply at all or a perfunctory 'no thanks' are both soul destroying and useless.
Constructive crit can, on the other hand, be a good springboard for a) improving the script b) opening a dialogue with people in the industry.
So, by all means find other ways to 'get in' but I don't think you should ever stop sending stuff out
caveat: You need to be sure it's as good as you can make it before you send it out.
Quote: Lazzard @ July 12 2010, 3:35 PM BSTSometimes it's about the quality of rejection, though, isn't it?
No reply at all or a perfunctory 'no thanks' are both soul destroying and useless.
Constructive crit can, on the other hand, be a good springboard for a) improving the script b) opening a dialogue with people in the industry.
So, by all means find other ways to 'get in' but I don't think you should ever stop sending stuff out
caveat: You need to be sure it's as good as you can make it before you send it out.
I agree you shouldn't stop sending out scripts to prod cos (although personally I wouldn't do it expecting critical feedback) but it won't hurt you to broaden your skillset and try out some fresh ways into the industry. I've found, for instance, that even a minor acting role in a decent production has put me in touch with a bunch of people I wouldn't have got close to before. Likewise, even a crew job on set can enable you to get the ear of some relatively heavy hitters. I'd recommend you stop thinking of yourself as just a writer and start considering yourself as being part of the film/TV business. Sitting around at home firing off hopeful emails will only take you so far when there are so many gregarious, multi-talented competitors out there.
Quote: David Bussell @ July 12 2010, 3:51 PM BSTI agree you shouldn't stop sending out scripts to prod cos (although personally I wouldn't do it expecting critical feedback) but it won't hurt you to broaden your skillset and try out some fresh ways into the industry. I've found, for instance, that even a minor acting role in a decent production has put me in touch with a bunch of people I wouldn't have got close to before. Likewise, even a crew job on set can enable you to get the ear of some relatively heavy hitters. I'd recommend you stop thinking of yourself as just a writer and start considering yourself as being part of the film/TV business. Sitting around at home firing off hopeful emails will only take you so far when there are so many gregarious, multi-talented competitors out there.
You're not wrong.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 11 2010, 1:03 PM BSTBut it's silly to expect wall to wall greatness, it's impossible. People don't set out to make bad TV shows/films/books and so on, but of course sometimes that's exactly what they'll be left with at the end. It's not an exact science, so even the best can create things that don't quite work.
Maybe that's the answer then. Write somnething sooooooooo bad. Like "Springtime for Hitler".
Quote: David Bussell @ July 12 2010, 3:51 PM BSTI agree you shouldn't stop sending out scripts to prod cos (although personally I wouldn't do it expecting critical feedback) but it won't hurt you to broaden your skillset and try out some fresh ways into the industry. I've found, for instance, that even a minor acting role in a decent production has put me in touch with a bunch of people I wouldn't have got close to before. Likewise, even a crew job on set can enable you to get the ear of some relatively heavy hitters. I'd recommend you stop thinking of yourself as just a writer and start considering yourself as being part of the film/TV business. Sitting around at home firing off hopeful emails will only take you so far when there are so many gregarious, multi-talented competitors out there.
Like "When the whistle blows?"
I've never sent any of my scripts anywhere before, well, apart from a Comedy Lab episode I wrote years ago, which was a complete rush-job that I typed out the weekend before the deadline.
Quote: catskillz @ July 12 2010, 7:52 PM BSTI've never sent any of my scripts anywhere before, well, apart from a Comedy Lab episode I wrote years ago, which was a complete rush-job that I typed out the weekend before the deadline.
Quote: Marc P @ July 12 2010, 9:28 PM BST
I was relying to Bussell. I should've quoted him first.
Quote: catskillz @ July 12 2010, 10:41 PM BSTI was relying to Bussell. I should've quoted him first.
Not if you want these production companies to take you seriously. Have you seen the make up he wears. Fair enough around Highgate, but Wardour street???
Quote: David Bussell @ July 12 2010, 3:51 PM BSTI agree you shouldn't stop sending out scripts to prod cos (although personally I wouldn't do it expecting critical feedback) but it won't hurt you to broaden your skillset and try out some fresh ways into the industry. I've found, for instance, that even a minor acting role in a decent production has put me in touch with a bunch of people I wouldn't have got close to before. Likewise, even a crew job on set can enable you to get the ear of some relatively heavy hitters. I'd recommend you stop thinking of yourself as just a writer and start considering yourself as being part of the film/TV business. Sitting around at home firing off hopeful emails will only take you so far when there are so many gregarious, multi-talented competitors out there.
La Busselle is right in the respect that if you can act, if you can do stand-up, if you have the resources to produce/film your own stuff, if you're a good schmoozer, then you have a better chance of getting your stuff noticed and ultimately made. This has always (and always will be the way) as far as I can see.
But in my experience, most wannabe (or indeed established) writers out there are none of those things. Most writers I know are f**king weirdos to be honest. (Takes one to know one, I know. ) 
Quite a large proportion are borderline agrophobics with severely-limited social skills and piss stains on their trousers and unruly facial hair. (And that's just the women, ba-dum-tish!) And long may that continue.
Anyway all I'm saying is Dave's quite correct - if you can broaden your horizons well, then do so. Nothing bad can become of it.
But if you're just a writer who's only comfortable sat in front of your pc in your pants as you sip at a Tesco's stripy Cup-A-Soup whilst occasionally masturbating, that's fine too. If you keep sending your shit out and it's interesting enough, you'll do okay.
Quote: Marc P @ July 12 2010, 11:56 PM BSTNot if you want these production companies to take you seriously. Have you seen the make up he wears. Fair enough around Highgate, but Wardour street???
Here he is trying to 'persuade' Micheal Jacob to take a meeting.
Quote: Chappers @ July 12 2010, 5:16 PM BSTLike "When the whistle blows?"
Sorry, not sure I understand that reference, Chappers.
Quote: Lee Henman @ July 13 2010, 1:01 AM BSTLa Busselle is right in the respect that if you can act, if you can do stand-up, if you have the resources to produce/film your own stuff, if you're a good schmoozer, then you have a better chance of getting your stuff noticed and ultimately made. This has always (and always will be the way) as far as I can see.
But in my experience, most wannabe (or indeed established) writers out there are none of those things. Most writers I know are f**king weirdos to be honest. (Takes one to know one, I know. )
Anyway all I'm saying is Dave's quite correct - if you can broaden your horizons well, then do so. Nothing bad can become of it.But if you're just a writer who's only comfortable sat in front of your pc in your pants as you sip at a Tesco's stripy Cup-A-Soup whilst occasionally masturbating, that's fine too. If you keep sending your shit out and it's interesting enough, you'll do okay.
It's true, I once had a Skype chat with Lee and he was dressed in a big nappy and drinking from a toddler's sippy cup.
Quote: Marc P @ July 13 2010, 10:13 AM BSTHere he is trying to 'persuade' Micheal Jacob to take a meeting.
Wait a second, how exactly did you get into my bathroom?
Plug Hole Cam. You get em in B&Q