I wouldn't be so sure Matthew. I once wrote an ep of Emmerdale where absolutely nothing happens apart from two characters getting pissed in the pub. They kept taking the story out until that was all that was left.
Drama or Comedy? Page 2
For me, I get a kick out of making laugh. I'm not sure what sort of reward drama would have for me. People stroking their chins in admiration certainly wouldn't motivate me. That may change one day though. I guess it depends how I progress and what I want in the future.
I'm writing a sitcom at the minute and someone gave me some great advice the other day of writing it as drama and going back to the comedy on the redrafts. I can already see this paying dividends as I'm already getting ideas to give my story more depth through this approach.
I agree with Lazzard when he says "all writing should be dramatic" as I think shoehorning gags in left, right and centre can be to the detriment of the story and characters - Not Going Out suffers from this.
Quote: Marc P @ May 1 2011, 1:12 PM BSTI wouldn't be so sure Matthew. I once wrote an ep of Emmerdale where absolutely nothing happens apart from two characters getting pissed in the pub. They kept taking the story out until that was all that was left.
Was it Seth and Amos?
Perhaps you left out the 'hand up cows arse?', things can be be predictable and boring, the public demand 'entertainment'...
Quote: chipolata @ May 1 2011, 1:19 PM BSTWas it Seth and Amos?
Very funny. It was Paddy and Marlon!
Quote: Ben @ May 1 2011, 1:18 PM BSTFor me, I get a kick out of making laugh. I'm not sure what sort of reward drama would have for me.
Managing to make someone cry with just words on paper is pretty potent.
Quote: Lazzard @ May 1 2011, 1:37 PM BSTManaging to make someone cry with just words on paper is pretty potent.
Well that's very true and I simply can't argue with that.
Dear John...
Quote: Lazzard @ May 1 2011, 1:37 PM BSTManaging to make someone cry with just words on paper is pretty potent.
really? I just drop a dictionary on their foot
" We read your submission with interest..." gets me every time.
Quote: Griff @ May 1 2011, 3:18 PM BSTI'm not sure how to process Ben's helpful contribution that the only reason to write drama is to gain the admiration of chin strokers so I will leave that for others.
Now, now, Griff! Don't misquote me! I was clearly saying that, personally, I can't see a reward attached to writing drama in the same way that I do with comedy. Other writers will obviously have different wants/needs.
Quote: Griff @ May 1 2011, 3:18 PM BSTI guess I was just wondering whether on a board full of comedy diehards, many of whom might only have written sketches and such, whether this was a deliberate choice or whether any of them were tempted by non-comedy.
There was definitely a deliberate choice when I started writing comedy a few years back. Before that I'd tried to write other things, none comedy things, and then at the suggestion of someone else I wrote my first sitcom script. It was of course rubbish, but it seemed to come so much easier, and quicker, and the whole experience was so much more enjoyable that I realised that comedy was probably the right road for me.
Having just said that, and as I mentioned earlier, I have now begun to have a go at other things too, but comedy will always be my main default setting.
When I was about 7 I attempted to write a work of high fantasy adventure in the style of Conan and Fighting Fantasy Game books.
It was my last attempt at none humerous fiction.
I probably wasn't being entirely clear, Griff, so I'll shoulder my share of the blame.
I did actually attempt to write a short, drama piece a couple of years ago. I saw a short film by Shane Meadows which impressed me and thought I'd have a go at writing something in that vein. It all ended up rather depressing and pretentious, so I canned it.
Quote: Ben @ May 1 2011, 4:19 PM BSTIt all ended up rather depressing and pretentious, so I canned it.
Why sound like you got his voice dead on!