Where can I send sketches that I've written and any other advice? If I sent them off for a pilot that never got made, would I still be able to send them elsewhere etc? And what about the rights to any chraracters that I create?
What to do with the sketches I've written advice
You own the rights to any of your original characters until you sell them. But even then I don't think a pod' company buys the characters, rather just the script.
What if they bought the rights to the sketch for a pilot that never aired? Also, what about where to send them?
If you get to the point where money's changing hands you need to get yourself agent.
They'll sort out those sort of details.
Essentially you'll be looking for them to option the piece ie buy the right to exclusivley try to develop it.
Then if they manage to get anywhere with it you'll probably be offered a per episode/sketch writing fee, first dibs at any second-series/spin-offs etc.
Or they might try and shaft you.
Hence the agent.
If you've got interest in your work you'll pick up an agent - they can smell money from 20 miles.
But these bridges are very far away - a bit early to worry about how you're going to cross them.
Be dead sure the quality's there first.
Cheers for the advice.
To be honest, Vader, it's going to be very tricky getting anywhere with just sketches. From my experience, production companies tend to say "Thanks, but we're only looking for sitcoms at the minute". Saying that, it is worth tracking down individual producers and asking them if you could submit material for any shows they're working on. They're usually quite friendly.
If you get an agent, then things start to change as you get a better chance to submit to shows which are already in progress. However, getting an agent with no professional writing background is very difficult although not impossible. My advice would be to search out for any live sketch shows which accept open submissions as it's a good way of getting an audience. There's also the occasional radio opportunity you should look out for.
There's always NewsRevue, Treason, Radio Rejects, burning them along with your rejection notes to try and melt the cold sense of rejection that clings to your very bones, Marcer's comedy, filming them and entering them in a YouTube advert competition.
Unless they are silly/appropriate names change them and submit elsewhere.
Quote: Ben @ April 29 2011, 7:40 AM BSTTo be honest, Vader, it's going to be very tricky getting anywhere with just sketches. From my experience, production companies tend to say "Thanks, but we're only looking for sitcoms at the minute". Saying that, it is worth tracking down individual producers and asking them if you could submit material for any shows they're working on. They're usually quite friendly.
If you get an agent, then things start to change as you get a better chance to submit to shows which are already in progress. However, getting an agent with no professional writing background is very difficult although not impossible. My advice would be to search out for any live sketch shows which accept open submissions as it's a good way of getting an audience. There's also the occasional radio opportunity you should look out for.
Well, there were a couple of pilot's asking specifically for sketches, so I sent some off for them, prety much all were specifically written for them. I've been deciding what to write based onn the opportunities that present themselves! I just hope he opportunities keep coming...
I have written a pilot for a sitcom, though I think I might need to rework it to make it more formulaic and structured, plus I've got another idea for a sitcom pilot that I'm hoping to get around to typing up shortly!
As for geting an agent, any advice on that? For one of the pilot's I sent off for, one of the people wrote back to me saying they'd pass it on to the rest of the team and 'they feel the force is strong in this one' which hopefully means I've got a reasonable chance of getting one or more sketches in the pilot, rather than just being a star wars reference!
It seems like something that would be best not to have to sort out in a rush.
Getting an agent is tricky.
Essentially they need to know they're going to make money.
Not a lot of money - they work on the principle that if you take a litle bit of a lot of people's money - you end up with a lot of money yourself.
So, if you get to the point where someones offering you money, you should be able to get one - they'll work fast if they think there's a few bob in it.
It's then a case of - should you be lucky enough to have the choice - doing your research and going with the right one.
The other way is to convince them that you have the potential to earn money.
Here they usually rely on other people's opinions , rather than reading your stuff and making a judgement.
In my case it was through an actor who had expressed an interest in being in a screenplay I was hawking around - and that contact was through a friend of a friend...
It was enough to convince him that he might be able to place it.
So, you should keep any favourable feedback you get, cultivate any people in the biz who like your stuff - try to put together a package that sells your potential.
Good luck.
Thanks for the advice. I was going to ask what you've written, but checked your profile, impressive stuff, sounds like you had a cool job before your 2nd career.
Would it be impertient of me to ask if you have a brother named Clive? Putting 2 and 2 together and probably getting 5!
Barking up wrong tree, I'm afraid!
That's a shame! I love some of his stuff. Assuming you're not protesting too much of course!
Hello.
Sorry to threadjack but I have a few questions regarding submitting sketches to producers I don't really think warrant their own thread so I thought I'd just stick them here.
1) If I wanted to submit work to a producer whose show is produced by the BBC would I be right in thinking I should send it to (Producer's Name) c/o BBC, followed by the address of Television Centre?
2) How many sketches would you recommend sending unsolicited, and of what lengths? - e.g. 3 shorter sketches, 5 of average length and 2 long ones?
Thanks you in advance. 
If it's an in-house BBC producer then just ring up the BBC switchboard and ask for their email address. Then, send them a flattering email about how much you love their work and ask if you could submit some work to their show.