I have a MA project whereby I require a script mentor to help me with my project, a sitcom. I am trying to approach some of the UK's best sitcom/comedy writers. i.e. Graham Linehan, Armando Iannucci, Peter Baynham, Jeremy Dyson, Sam Bain, Simon Blackwell, Jesse Armstrong. Obviously the best of the best but I have been told to aim high and I'm quite confident of my sitcom. I've been told to try bypass their agents but can't seem to find a way. So on a big whim, can anyone help me?
I guess you could Tweet them and ask if it's okay. But I wouldn't hold out too much hope.
Emma Kennedy was Tweeting just yesterday that she gets something like 10 scripts or books sent to her per week, asking her to read them and send back comments, and she's not even all that famous. From that, I imagine the people you've mentioned could get up to 50 a week.
Madness.
Pride cometh before a fall
Most of these people are on twitter, facebook, their own websites
write to them be nice compliment their stuff
And maybe after some time they'll consider your stuff
but frankly I suspect your script is shit. No offence most are.
i suggest getting someone more humbke to read it
I, too, would suggest someone more "humbke," but I don't know what it means! So I'm recommending someone more jumble (pronounced as if the 'J' were the Spanish version of this letter.)
As already said, your best chance is probably Twitter / Facebook but really, don't expect anyone to be falling over themselves to read your script. And even if they do, make sure you're prepared in case it's bad news. Years ago I sent a script to Graham Linehan and he did read it - but the reply I got back was exactly this: "Sorry, it's not for me." Graham Linehan's one of my comedy gods so I was pretty crushed.
Mind you, in hindsight the script was shit. But at the time I thought it was great.
Why not post some of yours up in Critique?
Yeh I've had a few scripts knocked back.
Partly it was that they sucked.
Partly it's the complex net of what makes a script sell. Is anyone big name attached, has anyone succesful reccomended you? Are you a known reliable writer?
All far more important than being merely a good writer (which in all honesty you probably ain't, but none of us are without extensive practise).
It always amuses me (unlike my sketches) that we see our material through rose-tinted eyeliner. I mean, if we can't even get past first base yet still moan about the quality of anything that gets aired, Jeez, just how bad is our stuff!?
The O.P has never replied or presented anything for critique.
I wonder if he found a mentor (you all know the answer to that one)
Right, back on with the pink shades and back to my brilliant sitcom