The Sitcom Mission 2011 Page 3

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Quote: Declan @ November 10 2010, 12:24 AM GMT

Best not to cut a 30-minute episode down to 15 minutes either, it's really obvious when people do that.

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But does it make for bad writing? People would tend to write 30 minute pieces, and usually pieces have been adapted from somewhere else.

You're right, Tim, it doesn't necessarily make for bad writing and if you can adapt something brilliantly then do it.

What isn't good is referring to characters that have been cut out; having characters appear out of nowhere for no reason and saying things that aren't relevant; non-sequitor action that doesn't make sense etc.

Some production companies and commissioners want to see a 30-minute version of what you're writing, so having a 30-minute version as well is very worthwhile.

Hi Declan,

Hope you're well.

I'll be using Celtx to write my script, but should I use screenplay or theatre format?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Marooned

Thanks, yes I am, hope you are too.

Good question. Theatre please, as we'll be performing live.

Cheers, looking forward to reading your script.

Declan

Quote: Declan @ November 11 2010, 2:10 PM GMT

Hi Marooned

Thanks, yes I am, hope you are too.

Good question. Theatre please, as we'll be performing live.

Cheers, looking forward to reading your script.

Declan

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I'm good thank you.

Theatre it is.

Also, will voiceovers be acceptable (for a phone conversation that's in the script)?

Hi Declan,
I'm sure you've had this question a few times so sorry if you are repeating yourself.

Is it allowed to send in a script as a collaboration and a separate one as a solo piece?

Many thanks in advance.
Lee

Phone conversations are acceptable because they can be recorded and put on CD to be played on stage. No problem. What I hate (and this is personal) is one-sided phone conversations which give exposition:

Lights up.

Reg: What's that? You're coming in tonight? On the 7pm flight, landing at Heathrow? But that's in ten minutes. You want to meet me there? But I can't get all the way from here in my brother's flat in Birmingham to Heathrow in ten minutes.

And even worse is:

Lights up.

Reg: I hate you! I hate you, you stupid bitch. Now sod off and get out of my life forever! Ok Mum, I'll see you on Sunday.

And you can have as many people working on your script as you like, and you can enter as many times as you like.

Quote: Declan @ November 11 2010, 10:31 PM GMT

Phone conversations are acceptable because they can be recorded and put on CD to be played on stage. No problem. What I hate (and this is personal) is one-sided phone conversations which give exposition:

Lights up.

Reg: What's that? You're coming in tonight? On the 7pm flight, landing at Heathrow? But that's in ten minutes. You want to meet me there? But I can't get all the way from here in my brother's flat in Birmingham to Heathrow in ten minutes.

And even worse is:

Lights up.

Reg: I hate you! I hate you, you stupid bitch. Now sod off and get out of my life forever! Ok Mum, I'll see you on Sunday.

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Don't worry, it's going to be a two-sided conversation and it's not going to be for exposition because I hate those too.

All story telling is exposition in a way. It's how you do it that counts.

It's always how you do it that counts

Telling? Telling???

Quote: Declan @ November 12 2010, 9:45 AM GMT

Telling? Telling???

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I'll show you (some pun intended)!

Showing? Showing?

-"Can I help you?"
-I'd like to see the man in charge."
-"In here . . ."
-"I want to report a murder."
-"Sit down. Where was the murder committed?"
-"San Francisco, last night."
-"Who was murdered?"
-"I was."