As ever, Mr P, you have shown us something brilliant.
As I always say, you can do what you like, just make it brilliant.
The Sitcom Mission 2011 Page 4
Declan, sorry to keep asking stuff, but is it okay to send a "pilot" episode as our first script? Or do you want mid-series episodes?
We're ok to receive pilot episodes to begin with. If you're shortlisted we'll want to see two more. The showcased episodes won't be 'first' episodes, because the industry don't want to see that.
Quote: Declan @ November 12 2010, 12:35 PM GMTWe're ok to receive pilot episodes to begin with. If you're shortlisted we'll want to see two more. The showcased episodes won't be 'first' episodes, because the industry don't want to see that.
Works for me. Thanks. 
Couple of qs Declan if you have the time please:
1 Can we hawk the same episode drafts around to prods while they are in the competition? I presume we can.
2 Most importantly perhaps, what is the one over riding quality you and the judges will be looking for? Is just all round quality, or the fact it's contemporary and reflecting modern life, or is it the snappiness of the dialogue or is it the colourfulness of the characters or is it the scenarios or situations?
Which one of these would be your tip to writers to really brush upand make stand out?
3 And how many scene changes would you recommend in a 15 min ep, keep it to one scene if poss, or can several still be okay?
Cheers.
Quote: Declan @ November 11 2010, 10:31 PM GMTand you can enter as many times as you like.
This im glad to hear because im working on three scripts.
Quote: Declan @ November 12 2010, 10:30 AM GMTAs I always say, you can do what you like, just make it brilliant.
This sets the bar too high for me. Mediocre to slightly better than mediocre is my standards!! 
Here's our latest blog, about our Introduction to Sitcom Writing workshop in Paris.
Great stuff
A couple of questions:
What kind of stage is it? What kind of sets are possible? Can you do split sets or just basic bare sets?
And props? Again I presume just basic to indicate if it is internal or external perhaps?
Thankyou in advance.
I went to see Merrily We Roll Along some years back an international award winning play/musical by Sondheim, there was basically two tables and four chairs on the set even though there were scenes at a College/a living room/an audition room/a condominium party etc etc....the same set!!!! So for this 15 minute sitcom, I am sure the audience can imagine even an airport with minimum chairs etc
1 Can we hawk the same episode drafts around to prods while they are in the competition? I presume we can.
Yes, and if you get selected, bring them along.
2 Most importantly perhaps, what is the one over riding quality you and the judges will be looking for? Is just all round quality, or the fact it's contemporary and reflecting modern life, or is it the snappiness of the dialogue or is it the colourfulness of the characters or is it the scenarios or situations?
Which one of these would be your tip to writers to really brush upand make stand out?
Why do you ask? Were you thinking of leaving any of these qualities out?
3 And how many scene changes would you recommend in a 15 min ep, keep it to one scene if poss, or can several still be okay?
It'll depend entirely on your sitcom. If your characters are trapped in one room, I'd suggest just the one scene. If they're flying around the world, then maybe more than one.
What kind of stage is it? What kind of sets are possible? Can you do split sets or just basic bare sets?
It's a black box theatre, and we can do split sets with lighting. Your set is two tables and four chairs, but you can use three chairs to make a sofa.
And props? Again I presume just basic to indicate if it is internal or external perhaps?
As basic as you can be. If you're relying on props to improve your writing, I'll look forward to reading your dialogue.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Declan
Should we make it funny?
Quote: Declan @ November 12 2010, 10:30 AM GMTAs ever, Mr P, you have shown us something brilliant.
As I always say, you can do what you like, just make it brilliant.
Make it brilliant!...ahh...I see where I went wrong last time! Still - now I know
Quote: Chappers @ November 22 2010, 11:01 PM GMTShould we make it funny?
Thanks for the replys,
When considering a stage with just a table and perhaps some chairs I instantly thought of these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3KBuQHHKx0
Funny how the mind works! 