New date coming soon Sitcom fans.
How NOT to write a Sitcom Page 2
Next date for How NOT to write a Sitcom is Saturday November 19th.
For more details contact me a marcgblake@hotmail.co.uk
Many many people have attended this course and found it extremely useful.
Here are some testimonials.
I had a really fun day yesterday; the course was everything I was hoping for and more! Wrote a pitch for a completely new idea on the train home (based on the principles you taught us) and I'm fired up for writing again, so many thanks for imparting your wisdom. Simon Bodicott. (AUG 11)
Highly recommended. Gives context to the world of sitcom writing and an insight into the industry. (G Lavion. Aug 11)
Turned up with an open mind and left with a whole load of ideas and inspiration to write. Mark Dawson.
Great intensive blast of ideas and experience. Feel inspired to be creative again. An Inspirational and very productive day that has fired up my creative juices.
"Very insightful. Well worth the money. " Dan Grey.
"Useful analysis of our scripts. " Martyn Graham.
"Very informative. Lots of information on style content and format."
Tim Abraham
"Really helpful! Surprised with the amount of information we got." Tom Delling
"Clear, informative and funny. Spent more time on each person's ideas than I thought. Well worth the money." David MacDonald.
"It opened my eyes as to the sort of vehicle I need for my script. Really enjoyed the day. " John Sizer.
"Very enjoyable and informative." Andy Orr.
"Extremely helpful, offering both general and specific feedback" Rob Smyth.
"Very clear, straight to the point and Marc knows exactly what he is talking about. Martha Prideaux.
"Really helped clarify my ideas. Ideas on marketing particularly helpful."
Emma Smalley.
I felt encouraged and inspired. Kerry Miller.
Extremely enjoyable. Marc's knowledge is amazing and he really gets you thinking and improving your writing. Ian Rayment.
Specific feedback on material and group encouragement, which was really good. Paddy Paterson.
Keep plugging away Marc, you're nearly at a hundred posts (not bad for four years membership).
"I think I prefer the other Marc." Godot Taxis.
That's a tad uncalled for Godot. Yes, I will use the forums to advertise what I hope will help putative sitcom writers to avoid the pitfalls I - and many others - have fallen into. Sitcom writing is the hardest of all creative projects, demanding a huge and varied skill set. I only seek to hone those talents. Also, I won't be receiving a penny in royalties from 'How NOT to write a sitcom' for a very long time.
I'm sorry you feel so aggrieved at my plugging away. And a hundred posts in 4 years is not a lot.
I don't do anything in 'tads' Marc.
My point was that you hadn't posted enough, not that you'd posted too much. I had naïvely assumed that your 96 posts had been like mine, talking about comedy and sharing jokes, rather than pimping your course.
I don't believe that you think the people you 'help' will make it - or most of them - and that's why I don't approve of what you do.
Quote: Godot Taxis @ October 28 2011, 12:06 AM BSTI don't do anything in 'tads' Marc.
My point was that you hadn't posted enough, not that you'd posted too much. I had naïvely assumed that your 96 posts had been like mine, talking about comedy and sharing jokes, rather than pimping your course.
I don't believe that you think the people you 'help' will make it - or most of them - and that's why I don't approve of what you do.
You could make that point at any learning institute though, the successes are overplayed.
Dear Godot (oh when will he show up?)
So in fact yours is more of a general comment about courses, be they about creative writing or otherwise, of which you clearly disapprove. I agree that most people do not 'make it' and that on the whole, those who already have the gift will get there with or without any courses. I've had Catherine Tate, Joe Wilkinson, Simon Blackwell and many other 'names' on my courses. Some of them showed early promise and an ability - some didn't. I have also attended Robert McKee's two day Comedy course and Saw Christ * Morris there, as well as many other comedy luminaries such as Jimmy Mulville, Geoffrey Perkins et al. They still felt the need to add to their professional development - as do I.
As for the novices, when I were a lad, there weren't ANY courses except for Jackspn's Lane (which I attended). They enable you to meet like minds, to experiment, to get a steer from someone with a bit more experience as to what might work and what doesn't.
Not to labour the point (I sense you aren't going to be my Facebook 'friend' anytime soon) but what I try to do is yes, make a living, but also help people - offer them a bit of well meant advice.
Sure, 90% of stuff does not get made, but that doesn't stop you enjoying the journey....
I am also planning a website, on which there will be a forum/blog to discuss all writing matters for FREE.
Is that my 100 posts yet?
* that's intentional Godot.