Not strictly comedy but...

Read something on a thread about writing for Doctors, Holby City etc. Do the BBC accept unsolicited submissions for existing shows like that? I was under the impression that to write for those shows you would need to complete a BBC training programme. Does anyone have any personal experience on this subject? A long time ago when I was rubbish but thought I was gods gift I tried writing for Hollyoaks (My giant ego thought I could use the show to get my own sitcom after a while on their writing team and eventually marry Cheryl Cole) and I contacted Lime and they said yeah fine send a sample script is that the similar set up at the beeb?

Try the BBC Writers Room, might need to Google the address...

I know that Marc P has written for Doctors.
But I seem to remember Ben saying he had sent them a script as well, I could be wrong though.

What we don't accept
Spec scripts for existing shows - we want to see your original work.

Taken from... http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/submissions_writersroom.shtml

Quote: Steve Sunshine @ July 8 2011, 11:18 PM BST

I know that Marc P has written for Doctors.
But I seem to remember Ben saying he had sent them a script as well, I could be wrong though.

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That was a blatant lie on my part to wind someone up.

As someone said Google the writersroom. I did write for Doctors when it was launched, was working on EE at the time and the Development Exec asked if I would. Prior to EE I had an original drama pilot commissioned by the BBC and a couple of other projects likewise. Not sure that their is any set route into writing drama, the trick is to have something to show someone. It could be an original script it could be a play being performed. Get out and about and meet people and have something good to show them.

Quote: Ben @ July 9 2011, 2:18 PM BST

That was a blatant lie on my part to wind someone up.

View original

Steve?

I would (will) send Writers Room a script just to show your style and then if they think you're good they (should) commission you.

BBC Writersroom is a good place to start.
It's one of their hunting grounds for finding new writers for Continuing Drama and beyond.
Send them an ORIGINAL script of your own. If they think you have potential, then they may pass it over to the Drama Dept to have a peek at.
If the Drama Dept think "yeah baby" then they may put you on a shadow scheme on one of the Continuing Drama shows.

Of course, that's only one potential way in.

You also have the annual BBC Drama Writers Academy, but you have to have been commissioned to write at least one piece of radio, stage or TV drama to be eligible.

Or send a decent script to a production company.

Basically, get OUT there!

BTW, did you send Hollyoaks a script in the end?

Prior to EE I had an original drama pilot commissioned by the BBC and a couple of other projects likewise

I've often wondered how you got started Marc, as I assume there was no such thing as Writersroom in the 90s.
Did said drama pilot and other projects ever see the light of day?

Mikey, yeah I did send a hollyoaks script in but never heard anything back. I recorded 3 weeks of it and watched it with my notebook - a part of my died in side during that time. I understand why they didn't reply I had nothing produced/published and didn't have a clue basically

Do you feel you're a better writer now?
If so, why not try contacting them again and ask if you can send in another script?

I feel I'm a better writer now, but still think I could improve. But yeah one day I'll contact them again I think and give it another go

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ July 9 2011, 9:16 PM BST

I've often wondered how you got started Marc, as I assume there was no such thing as Writersroom in the 90s.
Did said drama pilot and other projects ever see the light of day?

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End of the nineties, and no writersroom as such I dealt with the people making programmes which is probably still the best way. Drama pilot got as far as casting and then no further. Sitcom pilots - pitched at offers but not taken further. Likewise radio series.

Quote: Marc P @ July 10 2011, 3:06 PM BST

End of the nineties, and no writersroom as such I dealt with the people making programmes which is probably still the best way. Drama pilot got as far as casting and then no further. Sitcom pilots - pitched at offers but not taken further. Likewise radio series.

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Shame.
I assume it lead to your Continuing Drama commissions.

Quote: blahblah @ July 10 2011, 1:27 PM BST

I feel I'm a better writer now, but still think I could improve. But yeah one day I'll contact them again I think and give it another go

View original

If anything, it's a contact in the industry.

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ July 10 2011, 10:30 PM BST

Shame.
I assume it lead to your Continuing Drama commissions.

View original

Well not just soap no, but yeah kind of and a shame I guess but not unusual loads of stuff gets to pitching stage and not made. And a bit of wedge whilst doing other things.