Currently causing a kerfuffle on Twitter: http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2012/03/08/15007/news_quiz_accused_of_exploiting_writers
Dan
BBC 'Exploiting Writers'
Shall we have a sweep for how long it takes for that story to appear on the Daily Mail website?
It's actually very funny if you're following all the comedy writers/producers in and around the BBC. I wish they'd hashtag it!
Dan
What's the general gist of what they're saying on Twitter?
Are they defending the BBC? (You'd think so seeing as they're quite possibly being read by them...)
I'd like to know is where do I apply - I wouldn't mind £50 for pretending to work for the BBC for two days.
There's more of a general 'we don't get paid that much' vibe, but passive-aggressively sarcastic. If you insist I ruin it for you. It's funnier than that though.
Dan
But Chortle's source suggests that some writers are becoming disenfranchised because a 'trustafarian' culture is developing, where 'comedy is only for people who've got money, for rich kids who can afford to start off working for free.
If you look at the credits for all these panel shows, the reason they're pretty tedious is because it's all the same people writing and they have the same voice. Ann Widdecombe is ugly, Posh is thin, Becks is thick, John Prescott was fat, now it's Eric Pickles. The same gags trotted out.
Amen, brother.
Quote: swerytd @ March 8 2012, 3:23 PM GMTCurrently causing a kerfuffle on Twitter: http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2012/03/08/15007/news_quiz_accused_of_exploiting_writers
Dan
Jeremy, what clipping did you find?
Hmmmm.
I wonder which of the quoted shows that 400 daily rate applies to.
A telly panel show, such as HIGNFY, most probably...
This story is the non-event to end all non-events.
Brand new writers given a chance to sit for two days and work alongside industry professionals. If they're very lucky, they might get one or two jokes on The News Quiz. And rather than being expected to do it for nothing, they get £50. Scandal.
I think this Jay Richardson chap is no Woodward and Bernstein.
Quote: Mr Writer Like In The Song @ March 9 2012, 2:40 PM GMTBrand new writers given a chance to sit for two days and work alongside industry professionals. If they're very lucky, they might get one or two jokes on The News Quiz. And rather than being expected to do it for nothing, they get £50. Scandal.
Just to play devil's advocate... the article seems to be saying what about experienced writers just looking for a bit of extra work, should they be expected to accept the same rate?
Not every professional comedy writer is a newbie, and not every professional comedy writer is one of The Dawson Brothers. Most are somewhere in between, trying to make a living.
It's hard to say what the situation is with that particular writer. He/she may have sixteen years experience but if they were offered to trial for the News Quiz it would seem that BBC Radio Comedy didn't think they have the experience of writing for such a specific brief as the News Quiz to walk straight into that team. They were offered the chance to prove they could do it, with a view to a more solid deal if it went well.
I really don't think the BBC are looking at this as a chance exploite writers ambitions and get cheap labour. They can easily put that show out with the team of writers they have, without having the trial role there.
I've had dealings (but not to do with either writing or comedy) with 'national institutions' and have had similar experiences. They pay as little as possible, knowing that most newbies would do it for free just to get the name on their CVs. It looks like the BBC is doing the same thing here. Who can blame them?
Out of interest, is there any other part of the BBC that works on the same principles? Catering, costumes, cameramen...do they all base their training on giving people a few quid to come in for a couple of days?
If not, WHY NOT??????
Quote: Jinky @ March 9 2012, 3:58 PM GMTOut of interest, is there any other part of the BBC that works on the same principles? Catering, costumes, cameramen...do they all base their training on giving people a few quid to come in for a couple of days?
Interesting question!