What's everybody's page count for their scripts? My first draft comes in at 14 pages (10 for the first 8 minute section; 4 for the second act), but timing these things is very difficult, I'm finding, especially with visual comedy (people falling over, fights, etc.)
EDIT: I suppose, with the Sitcom Trials being performed as script-in-hand radio-type readings, the visual stuff won't really matter; it's the dialogue that has to sell it. And dialogue usually reads fast in sitcoms.
Ashdown: I think mine came in at 11 or 12 pages, but as you say timing is difficult. That's one of the things that attracts me about the competition--the chance to get proper actors to read out my work. I think that would be a great learning experience. For them, of course. 
yeh got to say, my world is generally one of not chatting to friends online as most of them are offline. I think introducing online voting is a mistake, and to be honest I won't be entering based on this.
scripts should be judged on merit and ease with which they can be performed, not based on who has the most friends. It stops being about talent and about popularity when that happens.
a disappointing move
Doesn't hurt to give it a go, though, Christian. I found the discipline of writing to such a tight page-limit made me more aware of how focused dialogue can really make an impact. Even if I don't get anywhere I still got something out of it.
Yahoo Groups? How old are they? Wouldn't a Facebook group be a bit more up to date.
Quote: chipolata @ May 13 2011, 10:26 AM BSTYahoo Groups? How old are they? Wouldn't a Facebook group be a bit more up to date.
What if you're not on Facebook? I will not bow down to peer pressure from you facebook whores! Can't we just play a good ol fashioned game of pegs to see whos script is the best?
Quote: evan rubivellian @ May 13 2011, 9:51 AM BSTDoesn't hurt to give it a go, though, Christian. I found the discipline of writing to such a tight page-limit made me more aware of how focused dialogue can really make an impact. Even if I don't get anywhere I still got something out of it.
understand your point, Evan but as I entered last year (and found it as rewarding as you say) trying to find people to spend time voting for my entry is frankly offputting.
plus I can't seem to get a confirmation email from yahoo groups 
Quote: chipolata @ May 13 2011, 10:26 AM BSTYahoo Groups? How old are they? Wouldn't a Facebook group be a bit more up to date.
Facebook? Wouldn't a Bebo group be even more up to date?
(All those wrinklies on Yahoo Groups...)
Most up to date way must be Twitter hashtags, right? 
Quote: Tim Azure @ May 13 2011, 10:16 PM BSTFacebook? Wouldn't a Bebo group be even more up to date?
(All those wrinklies on Yahoo Groups...)
Us 'wrinklies' invented computers!!!!!!!!!!!! without us you'd be nothing 
And, it'll come to yee, before you know it; the years fly by!
Quote: evan rubivellian @ May 13 2011, 8:22 AM BSTAshdown: I think mine came in at 11 or 12 pages, but as you say timing is difficult. That's one of the things that attracts me about the competition--the chance to get proper actors to read out my work. I think that would be a great learning experience. For them, of course.
Cheers, Evan. Tricky thing, getting these timings right. I've just read an old Sitcom Trials script by a young upstart named Declan Hill (say, whatever happened to Declan Hill?) which is 9 pages in its entirety, including cliffhanger/resolution. (It's a charming and funny script, BTW).
I wonder if word count is more useful? That's how some write-a-10-min-play competitions are doing things these days.
Acting these things out-loud is a very good start, but not always too helpful. I've timed my script three times now, and I've got wildly different results on each occasion.
Quote: Griff @ May 16 2011, 9:28 AM BSTWhich bit of computers did you invent Bushbaby?
She means United States wrinklies Griff.
Quote: Griff @ May 16 2011, 9:28 AM BSTWhich bit of computers did you invent Bushbaby?
Quote: Mr Ashdown @ May 16 2011, 9:44 AM BSTActing these things out-loud is a very good start, but not always too helpful. I've timed my script three times now, and I've got wildly different results on each occasion.
For that reason, I can't imagine the organisers being too rigid over the page-counts. If you get through and it turns out to be a bit long, I guess they'll just ask you to trim it a bit. Would be different if you were trying to enter a 40 page script.
First news from the Manchester Sitcom Trials is that Gill Isles from Baby Cow, producer of Ideal will be coming to the show.
Deadline for scripts June 21st, go to the top of the thread for more details.