British Comedy Guide

Sitcom (Com)Mission Page 88

What about the Rosemary Branch? That's got a nice theatre, and it's not in Central Islington.

Is it me, or we getting off the topic of Sitcommission?

Quote: Tim Azure @ July 27 2010, 1:57 PM BST

Is it me, or we getting off the topic of Sitcommission?

Shouldn't think so.

Are we trying to sell ourselves as potential comedy writing partners?

Ahem.

If I were picked, I would stick it on the London comedy forum, try sandwich board advertising, basically hand out flyers outside other venues.

What say contestant number two?

Hi guys.

Well, didn't we stir up a hornet's nest? And you should have seen the first draft!

To clarify, we'll be asking for a 15-minute episode as the entry for The Sitcom Mission 2011. It can be episode one or episode six, we don't care. If it gets long-listed (we'll probably long-list 32 again, we're just putting the finishing touches on this), we'll ask for another two episodes. This will then probably cut the long-listed entries down by half, because a number of people won't come up with the other two episodes for a variety of reasons. It's not a bad thing, and we're not judging those people who are busy and have lives etc, but we need to know that they aren't just one-trick ponies. We're also going to be showcasing eight next year, not 16.

We know it's a lot of work, it's just what we want to see and it's a big part of the funnelling and whittling process. As Griff says, those who want it enough will go for it. We'll be spending a lot more time on developing the work before it gets to the stage, a process that we've really let ourselves and our writers down on in the past. Because we're only showcasing eight, we'll be able to spend a lot more time on developing them.

We need to learn from our own mistakes, just as writers need to learn from theirs, otherwise we won't evolve, and those who don't evolve simply die off. We've put too much hard work in to let that happen to The Sitcom Mission.

We want to get a reputation for promoting new writers who are dedicated to their craft. Writing is its own reward, however frustrating it may be. Instead of thinking that you're investing time in The Sitcom Mission, try thinking that you're investing time in yourself, improving your skills as a writer, getting it wrong and then getting it right, whatever that tastes like.

I would write some more, but Bagpuss is on Nick Jr.

Cheers, Declan

I don't get some of the (admittedly extremely polite) bitterness aimed the Sitcommission and the Sitcom Trials.

My view is they owe you f*ck all. They're presenting an opportunity - take it or leave it - to try and have your work seen by people in the business.

You can get all pissy about the shortcomings of the opportunity and how much work it'd be and how it'd be better if it was organised by you, but at the end of the day you're not offering the opportunity - Simon, Declan and Kev are.

As for the amount of work involved. It's a lot but so what??* I quite like writing (or trying to write) stuff I find funny. And if I don't get through, or if the bigwigs in the business don't like my stuff, then all I've really lost is time spent writing, which I like anyway.

*Apologies to Mr Azure for the unforgivable use of the double-question-mark. ;-)

Quote: Frantically @ July 27 2010, 9:24 PM BST

I don't get some of the (admittedly extremely polite) bitterness aimed the Sitcommission and the Sitcom Trials.

My view is they owe you f*ck all. They're presenting an opportunity - take it or leave it - to try and have your work seen by people in the business.

You can get all pissy about the shortcomings of the opportunity and how much work it'd be and how it'd be better if it was organised by you, but at the end of the day you're not offering the opportunity - Simon, Declan and Kev are.

As for the amount of work involved. It's a lot but so what??* I quite like writing (or trying to write) stuff I find funny. And if I don't get through, or if the bigwigs in the business don't like my stuff, then all I've really lost is time spent writing, which I like anyway.

*Apologies to Mr Azure for the unforgivable use of the double-question-mark. ;-)

Here, Here, here, here, just what I wanted to say but not clever enough to say it :)

Quote: Frantically @ July 27 2010, 9:24 PM BST

I don't get some of the (admittedly extremely polite) bitterness aimed the Sitcommission and the Sitcom Trials.

My view is they owe you f*ck all. They're presenting an opportunity - take it or leave it - to try and have your work seen by people in the business.

You can get all pissy about the shortcomings of the opportunity and how much work it'd be and how it'd be better if it was organised by you, but at the end of the day you're not offering the opportunity - Simon, Declan and Kev are.

As for the amount of work involved. It's a lot but so what??* I quite like writing (or trying to write) stuff I find funny. And if I don't get through, or if the bigwigs in the business don't like my stuff, then all I've really lost is time spent writing, which I like anyway.

*Apologies to Mr Azure for the unforgivable use of the double-question-mark. ;-)

I like writing too. But as I only have a limited amount of time to do it, I have to be choosy about which projects I "invest time in myself" with, to use Declan's expression. I'm explaining to Simon and Declan why their new system means I won't be choosing to spend that time on The Sitcom Mission this time round. It seems that the chaps are neither unhappy nor surprised to hear this, as the new system was designed to weed out lazy types like me.

Oh, and I can't see where I've claimed they owe me anything, or that I could run their show better. But thanks for calling me bitter and pissy.

Griff

I didn't actually call you either, though I think you've displayed both traits. Sorry if I've misjudged, but there really does seem to be some bitterness towards these competitions and I'm afraid I just don't get it.

If you're genuinely not bitter or pissy (ok - for 'pissy' maybe we can read 'unnecessarily negative') in this instance then I apologise.

OK, thanks for not calling me bitter and pissy even though you think I am. Apology accepted!

I have nothing further to say on the subject of The Sitcom Mission. Good luck to organisers and entrants all.

Thanks. :)

It's not that I have a total downer on bitter/pissyness. I suffer from both occasionally, but I try to channel them into my comedy.

I write for 'Two Pints...'

Quote: Frantically @ July 27 2010, 9:24 PM BST

I didn't actually call you either, though I think you've displayed both traits.

Laughing out loud

Quote: Griff @ July 27 2010, 9:45 PM BST

I like writing too. But as I only have a limited amount of time to do it, I have to be choosy about which projects I "invest time in myself" with, to use Declan's expression. I'm explaining to Simon and Declan why their new system means I won't be choosing to spend that time on The Sitcom Mission this time round. It seems that the chaps are neither unhappy nor surprised to hear this, as the new system was designed to weed out lazy types like me.

Oh, and I can't see where I've claimed they owe me anything, or that I could run their show better. But thanks for calling me bitter and pissy.

I'm quite sure you're not lazy Griff.
I think what these new rules will do is suss out the 'one episode geezers/geezeresses.' It's rather easy to write one sitcom but a series?....hell no, so three eps is quite a feat and will definitely separate the chaff from the wheat. :D

Quote: Griff @ July 27 2010, 10:04 PM BST

I have nothing further to say on the subject of The Sitcom Mission. Good luck to organisers and entrants all.

Oi :O

Quote: Marc P @ July 27 2010, 10:19 PM BST

Oi :O

What?

Quote: bushbaby @ July 27 2010, 10:19 PM BST

I'm quite sure you're not lazy Griff.
I think what these new rules will do is suss out the 'one episode geezers/geezeresses.' It's rather easy to write one sitcom but a series?....hell no, so three eps is quite a feat and will definitely separate the chaff from the wheat. :D

BB who's sussing out what??????? A sitcom episode is half an hour long, With ads or without.

Quote: Griff @ July 27 2010, 10:21 PM BST

What?

I mean say more! :D

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