BBC Writers room Page 4

Average wait is 3 months.

I just had a script returned by WR. Hit me quite badly as it was exactly what they wanted, according to their Commissioning PDF.

In it, it said that the BBC are desperate for a female led sitcom for the 16 - 25 age group for BBC Three.

I sent them something that exactly fitted all demographics.

It came back 3 months later, with no notes, but it did have a huge coffee stain.

Go figure.

Writersroom!!!!! READ the BBC Commissioning for God's sake!!!!!!

That's probably what the problem is. All they seem to be trained to look out for are writers for their Continuing Drama team.

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ August 14 2009, 1:57 PM BST

In it, it said that the BBC are desperate for a female, 16 - 25 age, group sex for BBC Three's Mr Cohen.

View original

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ August 14 2009, 1:57 PM BST

according to their Commissioning PDF.

View original

And where would a schlub like me find such a thing?

A producer gave me a copy of the "required" kind of stuff the Beeb wanted for the next commissioning round.
I assume such a thing can be downloaded from the BBC Commissioning site,

They'd like a female led sitcom as most seem male dominated.

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ August 14 2009, 5:36 PM BST

They'd like a female led sitcom as most seem male dominated.

View original

I think I know of such a script...

Mr Henman?

I still think the quality matters over the gender of the lead characters.

Whoever commissioned The Life of Riley evidently thought different. And by female led, they mean vehicle for one of the handful of actresses on the BBC approved list.

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ August 14 2009, 1:57 PM BST

Average wait is 3 months.

I just had a script returned by WR. Hit me quite badly as it was exactly what they wanted, according to their Commissioning PDF.

View original

I think the "Commissioning PDF" applies to a three-month period - by the time a Writersroom script is read another "Commissioning PDF" applies. So it would be hard to match a Writersroom submission to current Commissioning guidelines.

But, anyway, Writersroom is about finding writers not about fulfilling commissions. (Supposedly), it's the writing you're judged by.

I still think the quality matters over the gender of the lead characters

Oh, absolutely.
(God, did I just say absolutely??)

...I actually felt my script was quality, but I would say that, wouldn't I?

I think the "Commissioning PDF" applies to a three-month period - by the time a Writersroom script is read another "Commissioning PDF" applies. So it would be hard to match a Writersroom submission to current Commissioning guidelines.

Yeah, I supose. I think I was kind of conducting an experiment to see what would happen.
Although you'd have thought WR and Commissioning would have some kind of communication going.
"Hey, Joe. Got any female led sitcoms down there. We could do with one."
"Yeah, one. But I've just spilt coffee over it."

But, anyway, Writersroom is about finding writers not about fulfilling commissions. (Supposedly), it's the writing you're judged by.

I shall send them a calling card script next time.

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ August 14 2009, 7:19 PM BST

I shall send them a calling card script next time.

View original

Shouldn't you just send your best script every time?

I always send them what I feel is a great script. But if it comes back, I simply move on and write something else.

Some scripts I won't send to WR as they're currently awaiting yays or nays from producers.

I only send something to WR so I've got that base covered too.
If something was spotted at WR, the weight of that could maybe prompt the producers in the yay direction if I could then say the Beeb has shown interest in me.

Mad game plans but what the hell.

When I say calling card, I mean something I've written that I don't mind maybe not getting made, just to show off my (cough) talent.

Quote: Kevin Murphy @ August 14 2009, 5:43 PM BST

I think I know of such a script...

Mr Henman?

View original

I got feedback on the last film script I sent the BBC Writer's Room. I believe That I got feedback on a sitcom pilot that I sent quite a few years before, but I'm not sure.

I don't know if I'll send them my new stuff or try productions companies first.

Quote: Little Jersey Devil @ August 17 2009, 1:19 PM BST

I got feedback on the last film script I sent the BBC Writer's Room. I believe That I got feedback on a sitcom pilot that I sent quite a few years before, but I'm not sure.

View original

So I'm guessing you're not actually in America?

Finally remembered to unsubscribe to the bloody newsletter today.