Quote: Mikey Jackson @ October 13 2011, 10:56 AM BSTUm. Good question. It used to be on the Commissioning homepage, but now appears to have gone missing.
Thanks for checking!
Quote: Declan @ October 13 2011, 10:51 AM BSTHave just run it past another indie and they think it's 'very strange'.
Have also just spoken to someone in the industry who thinks it's very odd indeed. Think you might be right about it being a sneaky reality thing; either that or it's just a really unprofessional con!
I'm doing a bit of snooping, asking a few BBC types what they reckon. I've never heard of the company and it does seem a bit of an odd way of going about things. I'll report back if I get a definitive answer.
Devil-may-care guy that I am, I've emailed eclipse TV themselves to get more information.
Quote: Lee Henman @ October 13 2011, 1:24 PM BSTI'm doing a bit of snooping, asking a few BBC types what they reckon. I've never heard of the company and it does seem a bit of an odd way of going about things. I'll report back if I get a definitive answer.
Visions of Henman turning up in London with a shotgun ala Get Carter in reverse
I also did some investigating about this "Andrew Newman" character, but only found this:-
Howzat!
The correct phrase would be blind commission rather than blank commission, and in my years at the BBC I never heard of any production company being offered one for a 'comedy or comedy drama', two rather different beasts. Writers are occasionally offered a blind commission in the sense that someone wants their next project and guarantees to buy it, but even then it's usual to pitch two or three ideas and decide on one. Even if such a commission existed with a company which had no prior record, and would therefore be entering into a co-production or co-venture agreement with the BBC, it would be unheard of for them to advertise for writers around pre-determined situations. So the whole thing doesn't make sense to me,
I'll take my cue from Micheal and not touch it with a barge pole.
But you know, it does me a great idea for a story... Who is behind the pitch and what do they want? Now where were all those free to enter competitions?
Quote: Kev F @ October 13 2011, 9:54 AM BSTWhile you've all been arguing with this forum's leading wind-up merchant
"You've all" Are you stoned Kevin? Nobody was arguing, just one person critizising courses that overcharge and one person defending them. Diddums.
It's nice you have solidarity with your business partner. Why do you have to keep trying to dismiss anyone who sees through your stupid self-promotions as a troll?
Just because you've decided to use this website as your own personal noticeboard, I happen to be one of the posters who does so without an agenda, without trying to get a rep for myself as a "producer". Without shameless day in - day out flogging of courses, comps, advertisisments for sock puppet stand up, or whatever else you're pimping out.
I'm glad you've settled here, it's good exposition without having to pay for own means of broadcast, and since Chortle didn't bite on your "I'm a producer, honest" schtick. It's good you use the members here as your own personal call centre list.
Anyway, It's poor form to keep me calling me a wind up merchant, if that was the case I'd be banned after 700+ posts. Still, it's amusing to watch you trying to uncover a writing "scam".
That's comedy.
I've emailed them as well, but no response as yet.
Should I delete this thread, then?
Quote: Marooned @ October 13 2011, 2:05 PM BSTI've emailed them as well, but no response as yet.
Should I delete this thread, then?
I'd say no, leave it open until it's determined either way. I'm with MJ though, it seems extremely odd.
I don't think you can delete a thread. And there are some interesting general discussions and points of view.
.
Their blank commission could simply be - yes come to us with a project and we will look at it.
Maybe.
Has anyone thought of contacting eclipsetalent@aol.com and asking them for more information...?
Yes.
Quote: Jack Daniels @ October 13 2011, 2:00 PM BSTIt's poor form to keep me calling me a wind up merchant, if that was the case I'd be banned after 700+ posts.
Hello. I'm Mark. I run this website. I've just come across this thread. Just to let you know you are very close to being banned actually, as you are clearly out to cause a stir.
You are completely ill informed about both The Sitcom Mission and The Sitcom Trials though, so just to quickly set some facts straight before we get back on topic:
1. Kev F and Declan are not business partners. They run separate competitions.
2. Someone that produces a live show (a TV series too in the case of Kev) is a Producer, by the very definition of the word.
3. Kev F, Declan and others are welcome to post on this site. If you don't like them posting here, go elsewhere!
4. I'm glad you think know all the secrets of how to write a sitcom Jack. Some people don't - that is why the courses exist. There has been plenty of excellent feedback from them, by both new and experienced writers - when was the last time you got feedback on your script from actors for example?
5. The first rule of sitcom writing is probably actually indeed not to get people's backs up. I'm aware of more than one writer the BBC won't work with because they're hard to get on with! Being funny isn't the only asset you need to succeed in this industry.
6. The Sitcom Mission is definitely not a "rip off". I wouldn't support it if it was in any way exploitive. If anything, it's a bit of a kind charity. PM me if you want more info on the finances.
Back on topic...
Quote: Micheal Jacob @ October 13 2011, 1:47 PM BSTThe whole thing doesn't make sense to me.
I think we've got a conclusion on this 'opportunity', but feel free to continue discussing it below (enough of this Jack-Declan-Kev chat though!)
Quote: Mark @ October 13 2011, 3:21 PM BSTYou are very close to being banned actually, as you are clearly out to cause a stir.
You're considering banning him for stating his opinion?
Quote: Mark @ October 13 2011, 3:21 PM BSTKev F, Declan and others are welcome to post on this site. If you don't like them posting here, go elsewhere!
He hasn't even suggested that they shouldn't be able to post, what's going on here?