How to make a professional comedy pilot Page 2

Quote: Ben @ February 25 2013, 6:55 PM GMT

The main thing that helped was having an influential connection within a production company. If we hadn't had their backing then I doubt the performers would have taken us very seriously.

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That's true, but making that connection was largely down to working with that person previously to produce a single sketch that proved to be success (the one we won the funding money with). My point is that a writer should always be sowing seeds - a little thing you plant here can bloom into something much bigger given time and care.

Quote: David Bussell @ February 25 2013, 6:31 PM GMT

I don't understand - we made the pilot didn't we? I think what you mean is that we didn't achieve a TV commission (but then very few pilots do).

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Nope! Would you agree that your very first script represents the pinnacle of your writing? I doubt it. I wasn't suggesting what you did was wrong, far from it and nor I am seriously suggesting you change the thread's title. But I bet you a crisp ten pound note of the Queen's money that you will do your next pilot very differently, as you've mentioned with some of the points in your answer.

A good way to pass tips on to others is to tell them what NOT to do, that's all I was aiming for.

Quote: Lee @ February 25 2013, 7:15 PM GMT

Nope! Would you agree that your very first script represents the pinnacle of your writing? I doubt it. I wasn't suggesting what you did was wrong, far from it and nor I am seriously suggesting you change the thread's title. But I bet you a crisp ten pound note of the Queen's money that you will do your next pilot very differently, as you've mentioned with some of the points in your answer.

A good way to pass tips on to others is to tell them what NOT to do, that's all I was aiming for.

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I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a single screenwriter who looks at the fruits of the labour and says "yes, that's exactly what I had in mind", so it's really a given that perfection is unobtainable in that respect.

I agree that "do not do's" are helpful, I just wanted to leave the nature of the questions to the askers rather than pre-empt any queries we might get. That said, I don't know that there are any firm 'DO NOT DO THIS!' lessons that I got from this early project - if anything I've just learned to approach certain issues from a slightly different angle in order to maintain more control over things.

Fair enough

Are you still trying to sell it?

Quote: Chappers @ February 25 2013, 8:57 PM GMT

Are you still trying to sell it?

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Why, you buyin'?

No - just wondered how extensively you've tried although I'm sure you've investigated thoroughly.

One 'not to do', don't trust that anyone else knows what is needed when shooting a sketch, because they most likely won't and you'll be left a touch f**ked. If you think certain shots have to be captured, pipe up.

I guess one other thing I've learnt, after doing two different self produced projects, is that if you do a very specific show, then you might be left stalled if that show isn't wanted. Which is why the third project is an on-going sketch show, rather than just pastiche, or a show made entirely of a pretend in-house office videos. Third time around, we're just trying to make lots of funny sketches.

Quote: Chappers @ February 25 2013, 9:46 PM GMT

No - just wondered how extensively you've tried although I'm sure you've investigated thoroughly.

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Yeah, everyone we could get to was got to.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ February 25 2013, 10:00 PM GMT

Third time around, we're just trying to make lots of funny sketches.

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So...you've dropped your unique artistic vision and are just going to do what The Man tells you to?

Bill Hicks is crying.

Quote: Jinky @ February 26 2013, 3:15 PM GMT

So...you've dropped your unique artistic vision and are just going to do what The Man tells you to?

Bill Hicks is crying.

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Or, to put it another way, we've adopted a new artistic vision. Or we've become The Man. Either way I'm good.

This new movement towards self-producing is very exciting. I know it's been happening for years on YouTube but now people like Louie CK are leading the way, it's sure to filter out lots of crap that swamp it these past few years.

The Netflix produced drama House of Cards sounds like a dream too, with no ad breaks and episodes running for as long as they need too. That could either lead to overly-long scenes with no discipline but only if it got into the wrong hands.

I've got to admit, I've always been discouraged by working for someone, like a um boss! That's why I've always thrived on self-employment and the chance to get my own crew together and shoot something (with a camera) brings me endless amounts of inspiration. And now with it being a recognised and genuine form of distribution it makes any extra efforts, that whole lot more worth it.

Quote: Lee @ February 26 2013, 3:37 PM GMT

This new movement towards self-producing is very exciting. I know it's been happening for years on YouTube but now people like Louie CK are leading the way, it's sure to filter out lots of crap that swamp it these past few years.

The Netflix produced drama House of Cards sounds like a dream too, with no ad breaks and episodes running for as long as they need too. That could either lead to overly-long scenes with no discipline but only if it got into the wrong hands.

I've got to admit, I've always been discouraged by working for someone, like a um boss! That's why I've always thrived on self-employment and the chance to get my own crew together and shoot something (with a camera) brings me endless amounts of inspiration. And now with it being a recognised and genuine form of distribution it makes any extra efforts, that whole lot more worth it.

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It's going to be a twin-edged sword.
The trouble with anyone being able to make a movie is that anyone can make a movie.
As the cost of production spirals ever downwards and the means/channels of distribution become ever wider - there's going to be more and more stuff out there.
In the long run this will be good news for creatives, because creativity is the one bit money can't buy.
In the short term, however, filtering out the shit is going to become the biggest issue.

Quote: Jinky @ February 26 2013, 3:15 PM GMT

So...you've dropped your unique artistic vision and are just going to do what The Man tells you to?

Bill Hicks is crying.

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Heh, well, just decided to stop making and pitching a 'show', as such, and have decided to just produce a regular stream of 'funny' sketches. And if it appeals to anyone, then maybe they'll ask us to write something for them. And if they don't, we'll still be making them anyway. We're not chasing a commission with it.

Quote: Lazzard @ February 26 2013, 3:48 PM GMT

filtering out the shit .

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Please keep your thoughts on the quality of Missing Scene pilot itself to the appropriate thread. Thanks.

Quote: Lazzard @ February 26 2013, 3:48 PM GMT

It's going to be a twin-edged sword.
The trouble with anyone being able to make a movie is that anyone can make a movie.
As the cost of production spirals ever downwards and the means/channels of distribution become ever wider - there's going to be more and more stuff out there.
In the long run this will be good news for creatives, because creativity is the one bit money can't buy.
In the short term, however, filtering out the shit is going to become the biggest issue.

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That was my point though, we've have a few years where YouTube has been knocking out any old shit but now the pros are getting involved to and raising the bar of quality expected to reach. Which is no bad thing because it will encourage people to up their game.