Quote: zooo @ March 15 2011, 4:41 PM GMTHa, mustn't do that, you risk ending up in a Swingers style phone-message disaster.
One of the finest scenes in a film ever.
Style and Tone Page 2
Quote: Blenkinsop @ March 15 2011, 4:34 PM GMTI did too but didn't want to be pedantic, but now since it's been pointed out I'll steam in - hiding behind Marc as I do
Fair play though for not going back to change it.
Sometimes when I write something in a hurry I'm appalled by some of the howlers (different words sounding identical) that get past me. Even worse if it slips by into an important email or letter. I always want to send a backup explaining that I know what it should have been and then agonise over my mistake for ages.
My own worst offence is sending an email where I've meant to write you're but I actually write your.
But we're all human and it's interesting how our brain sometimes plays these shitty little tricks on us.
I, too, have a huge blind spot for typos.
Just recently I checked and double-checked something I sent out - and it still came back with 64 of the buggers.
Still, at least it proves they've read it.
Quote: Dicksplash @ March 15 2011, 10:21 PM GMTNo im not young at 35, I will admit im not as educated as I would like to be which I think shows in how I write. When you look at the likes of the peep show writers they have graduated from university in creative writing, they are both educated and I expect naturally funny, I thought I was funny but beginning to realise funny isnt enough you have to be intelligent enough to put the bones of a script together, Ive learnt I just have banter and its mostly crude, I think I need to read more and try a course.
I think you're being a bit hard on yourself. If you are anything like me, or indeed like a number of people here, then you enjoy being funny, making others laugh, but just as importantly making yourself laugh. That nagging voice that compels you to write or crack jokes has helped you find a site like this where like minded people write and showcase their scripts and sketches. Some have being doing it for years and have really honed their craft, while others are just starting out. Some do it for a bit of fun or a hobby whereas others want the full on career and writers lifestyle.
I would say, and forgive me if I'm wrong, that you are just starting out and you have been exposed on this site to some high quality work from people here and it has sent you into a panic because you feel you are not at that same level. At 35 the mid life crisis is close to setting in, if it's not with you already, and so you feel time is ticking before you are over the hill. I joined this site in 2007 when I was 35 and wrote my first script during that year. At the time I thought it was brilliant, but as I learnt more and more I realised the script was actually quite poor and that I was just at the beginning of a long journey where being 'funny' was only one aspect of a much bigger picture.
Don't wind yourself up that you didn't go to Cambridge or that you haven't already got a hit sitcom under your belt. You can learn a lot from this site. Read the boards frequently and you will get a feel for who the nice helpful people are. Find some people you trust and feel comfortable with and let them read your work so as to get some honest unbiased feedback. Keep an eye out for some courses. Not only can they be a fun day out but you can also learn a lot, meet some fellow writers and they also serve as a great motivator. There are also a few good books out there, although I am only aware of two being for uk sitcom writing.
Anyway, do not dispare but use this site as a learning aid. Of course if I have got the complete wrong end of the stick and you are in fact a great writer with numerous credits then I am already on the floor begging for your humble forgiveness!
Def.
Quote: Deferenz @ March 17 2011, 9:56 AM GMTI think you're being a bit hard on yourself. If you are anything like me, or indeed like a number of people here, then you enjoy being funny, making others laugh, but just as importantly making yourself laugh. That nagging voice that compels you to write or crack jokes has helped you find a site like this where like minded people write and showcase their scripts and sketches. Some have being doing it for years and have really honed their craft, while others are just starting out. Some do it for a bit of fun or a hobby whereas others want the full on career and writers lifestyle.
I would say, and forgive me if I'm wrong, that you are just starting out and you have been exposed on this site to some high quality work from people here and it has sent you into a panic because you feel you are not at that same level. At 35 the mid life crisis is close to setting in, if it's not with you already, and so you feel time is ticking before you are over the hill. I joined this site in 2007 when I was 35 and wrote my first script during that year. At the time I thought it was brilliant, but as I learnt more and more I realised the script was actually quite poor and that I was just at the beginning of a long journey where being 'funny' was only one aspect of a much bigger picture.
Don't wind yourself up that you didn't go to Cambridge or that you haven't already got a hit sitcom under your belt. You can learn a lot from this site. Read the boards frequently and you will get a feel for who the nice helpful people are. Find some people you trust and feel comfortable with and let them read your work so as to get some honest unbiased feedback. Keep an eye out for some courses. Not only can they be a fun day out but you can also learn a lot, meet some fellow writers and they also serve as a great motivator. There are also a few good books out there, although I am only aware of two being for uk sitcom writing.
Anyway, do not dispare but use this site as a learning aid. Of course if I have got the complete wrong end of the stick and you are in fact a great writer with numerous credits then I am already on the floor begging for your humble forgiveness!
Def.
Hi, I only write as a hobby and don't have thoughts of a sitcom on TV it just won't happen, I do think its possible for me to have something staged though and that is my ambition, the 35 thing doesn't bother me it was in answer to someone asking if I was a youngster as I tend to write crudely, I think a writer should improve with age as they become exposed to more and more experiences this should come through in the writing, Ricky Gervais is 50 and still writes funny.
I hated school and found the whole process sterile so I didn't do so well, whilst trying my hand at this I researched other writers and noticed a fair few went to university and having spoken to some of the writers who have moved through the competition they to have been to university or have some exposure to journalism.
I have passed my script to a few writers who have been semi finalists or are through to the next round and have already had some painful but helpful advice; I now know I wasn't prepared very much like trying to climb mount Snowdon in swimming trucks and flippers.