Hi All
Just a general question, which in your opinions has the best chance of getting a reader interested, a sitcom or an hour long comedy drama? I know a lot of you will say it doesn't matter, it's the first ten pages that count, but do you think that as soon as someone sees yet another sitcom they are put off?
J26
Why not try both, if you've got the ideas and talent? And you should be writing the sort of thing you'd like to see on TV, not the sort of thing you think has the best chance of selling. 
Quote: chipolata @ September 9 2009, 12:06 PM BSTAnd you should be writing the sort of thing you'd like to see on TV, not the sort of thing you think has the best chance of selling.
Echoed.
Quote: chipolata @ September 9 2009, 12:06 PM BSTWhy not try both, if you've got the ideas and talent? And you should be writing the sort of thing you'd like to see on TV, not the sort of thing you think has the best chance of selling.
I'm not so sure about that.
I read a lot of good sketches in critque and then think - its funny but where the f**k are you going to sell it?
Whenever I write stuff I do it with a very strong thought on where it will sell.
Of course this approach might not work, I'm not quite awosh with cheques!
But it's very rare that I will sit down and write something just for the hell of it..... Apart from my Space Nuns Attack masterpiece.
Quote: bigfella @ September 9 2009, 12:14 PM BSTI'm not so sure about that.
I come from the True Artist old school. 
Quote: chipolata @ September 9 2009, 12:16 PM BSTI come from the True Artist old school.
Saint Benedicts?
The point is to write what you feel you really need to write, isn't it? Your first scripts are unlikely to "sell" or get made anyway, so use them to develop your technique, challenge your imagination and demonstrate what you are capable of doing. The script I'm writing (after the current sitcom one) will be a 50min/1 hour drama pilot. I'm not writing it with a view that it will sell, but as a chance to show that I (hopefully) can write a different genre. I really don't think anyone (unless they are an established writer such as Mr P) should be focusing on what will "sell" - not to begin with, at least. (The most successful of my scripts so far was only touted around as a "writing sample" - it was a surprise when that was the one which got developed.) Best of luck.
all are good points, and I do write the stuff I would like to see on TV but sadly it seems not the stuff other people do. Sometime I start out writing a sit-com and I get carried away, ending up struggling to decide, do I leave bits out to keep it down to 30 mins, or keep going with it as a hour long special?
and then I'm back to my original question which one would be better recieved?
perhaps I should do both and a film as well.
cheers
J26
surely the only way of judging our work is to have it accepted, either published or broadcast, I assume that for most of us on here that is our aim.
i don't mean only for the money, but for the recognition. So if one form of writing gives you a better chance of sucess it surley would be wise to go in that direction?
J26
Quote: Johnny26 @ September 9 2009, 1:09 PM BSTsurely the only way of judging our work is to have it accepted, either published or broadcast, I assume that for most of us on here that is our aim.
i don't mean only for the money, but for the recognition. So if one form of writing gives you a better chance of sucess it surley would be wise to go in that direction?J26
yes.
No point in selling motor cars if you're a flower seller!
Quote: Johnny26 @ September 9 2009, 1:09 PM BSTsurely the only way of judging our work is to have it accepted, either published or broadcast, I assume that for most of us on here that is our aim.
i don't mean only for the money, but for the recognition. So if one form of writing gives you a better chance of sucess it surley would be wise to go in that direction?
Yes, but your chances of success will depend on having the ability to write that form. Some people can't write good sitcom, but they can write good drama. Some can write brilliant sketches but cannot get manage to tell a 30 minute story. Write what you've got the talent to write.
Quote: Tim Walker @ September 9 2009, 1:26 PM BSTYes, but your chances of success will depend on having the ability to write that form. Some people can't write good sitcom, but they can write good drama. Some can write brilliant sketches but cannot get manage to tell a 30 minute story. Write what you've got the talent to write.
That's what I was trying to say in my comment above!
Quote: bigfella @ September 9 2009, 1:28 PM BSTThat's what I was trying to say in my comment above!
Apologies, bigfella, my eyes momentarily missed that. 
Quote: Tim Walker @ September 9 2009, 1:28 PM BSTApologies, bigfella, my eyes momentarily missed that.
No - you explained it correctly, I was trying to be a little too clever!
Quote: bigfella @ September 9 2009, 12:14 PM BSTI read a lot of good sketches in critque and then think - its funny but where the f**k are you going to sell it?
Whenever I write stuff I do it with a very strong thought on where it will sell.
Marketing is an important part of the creative process. It can really help with your focus if you know which direction you're heading in. It's like trying to go somewhere new without a map, you're bound to get lost.