I'm currently writing a short comedy script (approx 15 minutes long). I was going to make it shorter but after speaking with a friend about it he seemed to think any shorter than 15 minutes and I wouldn't have time to establish characters and also have a meaty plot. I agreed so 15 minutes it is.
I wanted to write something that was relatively cheap to make, but not sure where to pitch it as some companies just want full length sitcom scripts and not short scripts.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Nobody got any ideas?
Sorry, not really. Do you mean it's a 15-minute extract of something longer or is it a one-off?
Some TV prod cos might go for a series of 10 min slots.
Most companies want at least 30 minutes and when was the last time you saw a TV show or heard a radio show that was shorter.
The Sitcom Trials like 15-minute scripts. They'll be back later in the year.
Script Night have themes for an evening and perform around 15-20 scripts over each weekend it's run. Usually two or three times a year. It's run by Cento Productions.
Other places have been looking for 10-15 minute short plays. Usually, they're advertised on BBC Writers' Room.
Hope these are of some use
Dan
Quote: sootyj @ April 21 2009, 10:35 PM BSTMost companies want at least 30 minutes and when was the last time you saw a TV show or heard a radio show that was shorter.
Look Around You and Marion & Geoff were both 15 minute shows. Radio4's comedy is often two 15 minute shows.
As for your short film, I think you might be better making it shorter - the usual length of a short film being nearer 10 minutes. I don't know any company that would make them; normally your best bet is to approach a director and/or producer who would like to make it as a project for festivals, online etc rather than a profit-making product.
Quote: Mike Dan-Carter @ April 21 2009, 11:51 AM BSTI'm currently writing a short comedy script (approx 15 minutes long). I was going to make it shorter but after speaking with a friend about it he seemed to think any shorter than 15 minutes and I wouldn't have time to establish characters and also have a meaty plot. I agreed so 15 minutes it is.
I wanted to write something that was relatively cheap to make, but not sure where to pitch it as some companies just want full length sitcom scripts and not short scripts.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Mike, you haven't written it yet, seemingly. I don't mean to be mean but no companies you pitch it to will be interested. There is no fifteen minute slot. Never mind your friend, have a look on the televsion and see what people actually write and have shown.
Quote: Marc P @ April 21 2009, 11:00 PM BSTMike, you haven't written it yet, seemingly. I don't mean to be mean but no companies you pitch it to will be interested. There is no fifteen minute slot. Never mind your friend, have a look on the televsion and see what people actually write and have shown.
I do understand this, what I was really aiming to do I guess was to finish writing it. Film it myself. Then send it out, just to prove to companies and individuals that I can actually write comedy.
Quote: Mike Dan-Carter @ April 21 2009, 11:51 AM BSTI'm currently writing a short comedy script (approx 15 minutes long). I was going to make it shorter but after speaking with a friend about it he seemed to think any shorter than 15 minutes and I wouldn't have time to establish characters and also have a meaty plot. I agreed so 15 minutes it is.
I wanted to write something that was relatively cheap to make, but not sure where to pitch it as some companies just want full length sitcom scripts and not short scripts.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/submissions_other_readingsunit.shtml
You'll need to turn it into a short story though, I think. Hope that helps 
The Look Around You team did the pilot as a short film which they took around film festivals, where it created a bit of a buzz and attracted the attention of the BBC who presumably found a slot to fit it.
I would suggest that if you want to go down this route (which I have thought about before), then get onto filmmaking websites like Shooting People, find some like-minded souls and get the film made.
As far as routes into comedy go, it isn't likely to be easy (or even successful), but on the bright side, if you manage to get it made then you have actually made a comedy - people (viewers and commissioners alike) can actually watch your comedy vision rather than trying to imagine it from a script. A script will rot in a box in your spare room, whereas a short film you can get on YouTube or on at festivals and things.
However, I would be very wary of filming anything resembling a pilot and trying to market it as a short film - I would advise writing something very much self-contained and using it to show off your comedy writing ability, rather than a hypothetical series. I've heard it a million times that a lot of commissioning bodies get put off by shoddily made lo-fi pilots. Best make a mint short film and use it as a calling card.
Primitive Products WERE looking for shorts, albeit 5 - 10 minute screenplays.
Their "script call" is over now, but I don't suppose it would hurt to contact them.
They were discussed at: https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/12229
write it for radio, think of a series and pitch it to Radio 4 comedy. they have 15 minute slots at 11pm
Quote: jdubya @ April 24 2009, 10:04 AM BSTwrite it for radio, think of a series and pitch it to Radio 4 comedy. they have 15 minute slots at 11pm
Yeah I said that earlier, but everyone ignored me as usual.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ April 21 2009, 10:41 PM BSTLook Around You and Marion & Geoff were both 15 minute shows.
Incorrect.
Do what dolly said