Quote: Martin Holmes @ January 8, 2008, 2:07 PMSo somebody does an advert and that automatically discredits any of the past work
Pretty much I'm afraid. 
Scripts versus performance Page 7
Quote: bushbaby @ January 8, 2008, 2:01 PMYou're hard work.
The sitcom you didn't find funny...i.e. the massage parlour one was sent to Ch4. They liked it but had enough on their plate at the time so forwarded it to the head of comedy Andy Harris at ITV. he rang me to ask had I anything else, which I didn't at the time as that sitcom was the first script intended for tv that I had written. So it was shelved until last year when on loads of poster's advise on another forum, I sent it to the beeb. They sent a usual rejection letter which was signed by an Asian. This amused me, not annoyed and it occurred to me then, how would an Asian get the humour, just as you and the scots wouldn't. Having said that, the piece must have some credibility or a bigbug like Andy harris wouldn't have wasted his time on it.
These are my views and points raised as a debate on here. You, however become personal which to be quite honest, I haven't come across on any other forum.
I relate an example of my daughter and you immediately say I am bitter about that, without even being there or knowing me. As a family we are good losers, our generation were brought up to be, in sport or any other pursuits, unlike todays molicoddled kids
I know that, but it's the fact you won't admit there are people who just don't find it funny. It's not they don't get it, or they're from the wrong background - they just don't like the jokes. That's life. I'm sorry I don't like the jokes, but that's how people work. It's not that I don't 'get' it, or don't eat lots of pies and therefore don't get Lancs humour - I just don't think the jokes are very funny and also believe it would be hard for a producer to see it and like as it, for me, doesn't jump off the page.
The BBC rejected - that doesn't mean a thing. Believe, don't give that a second thought. It seems like you've had nothing but praise from the industry, so blankly ignore the Beeb's comment. Though I think you're a tad ignorant as you don't know the background of the person who replied. He could be second or third gen English.
Why wouldn't I get it? I grew up up north for a bit, and in the midlands. Up north is my second home and understand the humour perfectly - but thanks for the patronising nature of that sentence. The Royle Family is one of the best comedies of all time, so I think I know what's what.
Of course the piece had cred - but don't blame the fact is didn't get made on the fact that some people who weren't English read it. What proof is there that Scots, for example, don't get the comedy. What's there to get? A joke is a joke. A funny situation is funny whatever part of the UK you're in.
You say you're a good loser. You've only blamed others for the fact the pilot didn't get picked up.
Quote: SlagA @ January 8, 2008, 2:02 PMDiscuss guys, but keep it calm. SeeFacts, the 'daughter' section in caps was below-the-belt.
Okay, fair cop, guv.
Quote: Eat_My_Shirts @ January 8, 2008, 2:11 PMPretty much I'm afraid.
Right, well I can't take your views seriously at all anymore. Unless you're joking but I can't tell.
Quote: Eat_My_Shirts @ January 8, 2008, 2:11 PMPretty much I'm afraid.
That's cutting off your nose to spite you face. You won't enjoy his work because of that? It's only the Royal Mail . . . I'd be more cconcerned about those Mark Benton ads for the Abbey Nat. that he did!
Cheers for that SeeFacts. 
BushBaby's point is possibly highlighted in this example: The Slaggs sent a script to a Welsh production company, the broadcaster HTV, and a competition. We had the following responses on the same script.
The local production company sent a letter with quotes that really would have made me quit if it had been my first ever response - it was the worst response I'd ever had - it was withering, rude, and I'm keeping the letter to hopefully frame one day. HTV phoned within 2 hours of getting the emailed script to say they'd read it and loved it and wanted to see us. That same script came second in an international play competition.
Same script, different responses. Which of the three was right? They all were, is the truth. Different people have different responses to the same script based on many personal / cultural / social reasons. The trick is not to find this disturbing, upsetting, confusing, disheartening. The trick is to persevere until that script is in front of the person it's destined for.
Not all scripts will be made. Some are better than others but the point is that even the better scripts won't find universal appeal or acceptance. Scriptwritng is an endurance race, not a sprint.
Quote: Seefacts @ January 8, 2008, 2:13 PMThat's cutting off your nose to spite you face. You won't enjoy his work because of that? It's only the Royal Mail . . . I'd be more cconcerned about those Mark Benton ads for the Abbey Nat. that he did!
Exactly. At least Armando isn't using his 'face' to sell a product. He's a director and probably directed them, work is work, he has a family to feed, can't really knock a guy for that.
Quote: Eat_My_Shirts @ January 8, 2008, 2:11 PMPretty much I'm afraid.
Peter Sellers agreed to be in a Barclay's Bank advert.
Quote: zooo @ January 8, 2008, 2:16 PMPeter Sellers agreed to be in a Barclay's Bank advert.
...which was never aired. Just as well because if it had, I wouldn't like him anymore.
Seefacts, I haven't blamed anyone. I understand that humour is subjective, so you didn't find it funny and I commented maybe you don't get the intended humour on the page but maybe off you would.
I should be so lucky to get my stuff broadcasted. Nobody was more gobsmacked than me when Harris rang. I haven't said this on here but I also did two Royle Family spec scripts and Campbell rang me up (can't for the life of me recall his first name) he thought the scripts brilliant and again I was asked had I anything else. He explained that Caroline Aherne's contract stipulated that no one else could write for the series. She also would not look at ideas as she then could be accused of nicking them.
In addition, I sent a script to Thora Hird, it is about Alzheimer's. She rang me twice the last call lasting over 30 mins, she then sent me a christmas card saying she had high regard for writers. She suggested I sent the script to Alan Bell that does Last of The Summer Wine but I didn't. I sent it to her as I thought she'd be good in the lead role. She explained that she'd been ill and didn't do much these days. She died soon after.
So, yes, I do think I can write but don't expect anyone else to enthuse. I came on here to get different views and perhaps friendship amongst other writers.
I think we should just agree to disagree and move on
Quote: bushbaby @ January 8, 2008, 2:01 PMThey sent a usual rejection letter which was signed by an Asian. This amused me, not annoyed and it occurred to me then, how would an Asian get the humour, just as you and the scots wouldn't.
Not to turn this into pick on bushbaby's posts day, but this bit bothers me.
The idea itself is bizarre, but putting that aside, you can't make assumptions based just on names. I have South American/Spanish sounding name, but am pretty much as English as they come.
Quote: Eat_My_Shirts @ January 8, 2008, 2:19 PM...which was never aired. Just as well because if it had, I wouldn't like him anymore.
You absolute mental!
Quote: bushbaby @ January 8, 2008, 2:21 PMSeefacts, I haven't blamed anyone. I understand that humour is subjective, so you didn't find it funny and I commented maybe you don't get the intended humour on the page but maybe off you would.
I should be so lucky to get my stuff broadcasted. Nobody was more gobsmacked than me when Harris rang. I haven't said this on here but I also did two Royle Family spec scripts and Campbell rang me up (can't for the life of me recall his first name) he thought the scripts brilliant and again I was asked had I anything else. He explained that Caroline Aherne's contract stipulated that no one else could write for the series. She also would not look at ideas as she then could be accused of nicking them.
In addition, I sent a script to Thora Hird, it is about Alzheimer's. She rang me twice the last call lasting over 30 mins, she then sent me a christmas card saying she had high regard for writers. She suggested I sent the script to Alan Bell that does Last of The Summer Wine but I didn't. I sent it to her as I thought she'd be good in the lead role. She explained that she'd been ill and didn't do much these days. She died soon after.
So, yes, I do think I can write but don't expect anyone else to enthuse. I came on here to get different views and perhaps friendship amongst other writers.
I think we should just agree to disagree and move on
It seems to me that the only thing to blame is bad luck. I don't see why you needed to mention the Vietnamese thing whatsoever. It just grated - as did the whole 'who gets what' discussion. I found it a bit ignorant and patronising, that's all.
I'm not slighting you or being negative, it was just clarifying that point.
so we can slag off the scots but christ don't mention asians or vietnamese. maybe I should get my black brother-in-law or my Israeli son-in-law or my scottish brother-in-law to come on here and verify that I am not a racist, maybe old fashioned that's all
whoops I forgot to mention that Mr Bushbaby is jewish
Quote: bushbaby @ January 8, 2008, 2:30 PMso we can slag off the scots but christ don't mention asians or vietnamese. maybe I should get my black brother-in-law or my Israeli son-in-law or my scottish brother-in-law to come on here and verify that I am not a racist, maybe old fashioned that's all
Who's slagging the Scots? Not me. As I said - they've got a lot of better writers and performers at this point in time. Also it was EMS - who's a bit of a wally.
I've said a million times I believe humour varies between cultures and countries - though not UK & Ireland.
BUT you don't KNOW that this person wasn't English - to mean they could have lived here all their life, as could their parents. It's that blind assumption and apportioning blame that is causing a problem.
Bloody darkies! *shakes fist*
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)
Quote: Seefacts @ January 8, 2008, 2:34 PMAlso it was EMS - who's a bit of a wally.
I'm reporting this remark to the chiefs of the forum. I don't know why you keep insulting me so much. It's very upsetting to me.