Hi Kev,
Chuffed to see the Sitcom Trials back from the wilderness, particularly since the key points I've quoted above have all always been my fave bits of the format (as an audience member - I've yet to come up with an idea good enough to submit!). The cliffhanger thing has always struck me as inspired.
Any chance of staging this year's comp. in Bristol?
Bristol's always tempting, cos that's where I live, but I fear the supply of actors and comedy performers, not to mention the comedy industry, will always tip the balance in favour of London. That said, Manchester happened last summer as a one off show and the guys at the Lass O'Gowrie are talking about doing it again, so stay tuned.
Did you realise there is a sitcom-script-like event taking place in Bristol to which you can enter scripts? It's called Saturday Shorts, the details are here: http://www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk/whatson.php#shorts They're looking for 15 minute long scripts that can be done simply on stage, and the deadline is March 1st.
Kev F
After a busy week away I just caught up with the news that The Sitcom Mission has received an astonshing 1200 entries. And only half a dozen will be performed? Maybe the pressure on us to announce an Autumn season of The Sitcom Trials really is becoming overwhelming.
In anticipation of this likelihood, the Sitcom Trials website has had a revamp, at http://sitcomtrials.co.uk . Nothing much new there, but it looks prettier than ever before. Stay tuned for news (joining the Trials Facebook group would be the best way of hearing first, the links are at sitcomtrials.co.uk )
Happy script reading, Dec, Si & team. That remains the one thing I aim never to do myself.
Kev F Sutherland
Executive Producer & Keeper Of The Flame
The Sitcom Trials
http://sitcomtrials.co.uk
(For some reason that link won't work from this forum, so paste it into your browser or try http://utproductions.co.uk/trials08.html )
If evidence were needed that getting into the finals of The Sitcom Trials can't hurt you, 2009 finalist Jules Bower's sitcom 49 Cedar Street gets a BBC pilot recording on March 27th and you can be in the audience.
49 Cedar Street is a fun, surreal sitcom with sketch show elements, about a dysfunctional house share between three very inept but well meaning characters. The pilot episode is the story of how they all met and came together. It features an alcoholic Cupid, a caveman with commitment issues and a lucky mattress. You can't, in all honesty, ask for more than that.
The script was a Sitcom Trials finalist back in 2009 at the Leicester Square Theatre and I am very very lucky to have the chance to see it performed one more time as a 30 minute radio piece. I am delighted to have the very talented cast of Isabel Fay, Colin Hoult and Tom Parry, with the legendary Colin Anderson producing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/shows/49_cedar_street
Quote: Griff @ March 12 2011, 10:18 AM GMTKev can you explain how Julie's script appearing in the Sitcom Trials had anything to do with it subsequently getting commissioned?
It didn't. All I said was it couldn't hurt. Essentially this was an excuse to plug Jules's news in an ongoing thread and catch people's attention. It worked.
I don't know whether Jules feels the showcasing of 49 Cedar Street in The Sitcom Trials final helped her get the commission, but she does mention the Trials in her press release.
Kev F
July 2nd. Manchester. Sitcom Trials.
Can't tell you more than that yet, but following the success of 2010's inaugural Manchester Sitcom Trials, a one-off show is planned. As for the call for scripts, stay tuned...
I'd better get my obsesso-meter recalibrated
It's taken a bit of a hammering following Sitcom Mission and Laughing Stock
Quote: Kev F @ March 18 2011, 9:30 AM GMTJuly 2nd. Manchester. Sitcom Trials.
Can't tell you more than that yet, but following the success of 2010's inaugural Manchester Sitcom Trials, a one-off show is planned. As for the call for scripts, stay tuned...
Eeek. Better get on a how to write a sitcom properly workshop pronto.
Quote: KLRiley @ March 19 2011, 4:34 PM GMTEeek. Better get on a how to write a sitcom properly workshop pronto.
That's right, get the self doubt in early. 
Okay, bear with me. This is looking a bit complicated but I'm trying to simplify it. It looks like you'll be uploading your entries here http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/SitsVac/files/ and then voting on and reviewing everyone else's scripts here: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/SitsVac/polls
What? Too complicated? Bear with ....
SNAP! (Haven't worked out how to include pictures in this forum, so you'll just have to imagine):
Saturday Night Live cast 1976: http://i51.tinypic.com/14ob1ax.jpg
Sitcom Trials cast 2002: http://i52.tinypic.com/2wf0rci.jpg
Scripts and cast welcome, deadline June 2011 http://sitcomtrials.co.uk
Quote: Griff @ April 3 2011, 11:11 PM BSTKev - just put the tags (image) and (/image) around the URLs, except with square brackets instead of round.
I've worked out how to paste photos into this thread
Saturday Night Live cast 1976:
Sitcom Trials cast 2002:
Scripts and cast welcome, deadline June 2011 http://sitcomtrials.co.uk