Quote: Leevil @ June 21 2011, 2:15 PM BSTI plan on making a sandwich. Not sure what kind of sandwich though. I haven't planned that far ahead.
I predict you'll butter the bread and then give up.
What are people's plans of action? Page 2
I never even made the sandwich.
What is this world coming to...
Quote: Nat Wicks @ June 19 2011, 5:10 PM BSTIve given myself 2 years to my first Edinburgh show, 4 years to my my first FULL LENGTH show. By that time I should be taking a decent number of paid gigs and considering going pro in standup. Then I will win something and get noticed by agents and Benin telly within 2 years. I will then decided the TV scene is too contrived for me and go back to the circuit when I will spend 5 years with a strog cult following. Then I'll write a sitcom and BBC will be all like "yeah Nat, we're really big fans, let's do it" and we will. It will flop in the ratings but a small percentage of viewers will think it's the shiz, and then I'll go back to the circuit and my cult following and have some babies and stuff.
I suspect you'll have to take down Sarah Millican if you want to be successful, people won't want two Geordie women!
Good job I'm not a Geordie then (and technically neither is she).
Quote: Ben @ June 21 2011, 12:16 PM BSTThe current one is a workplace based trad sitcom. Roughly.
At last! Somebody has a go at writing a full-length "When the Whistle Blows".
As for me, podcasts. Though it might be many months before I actually get around to doing anything.
Quote: Jinky @ June 22 2011, 9:54 AM BSTAt last! Somebody has a go at writing a full-length "When the Whistle Blows".
Didn't Simon Nye already do that?
Quote: Pineapplesky @ June 19 2011, 4:46 PM BSTI'm currently jobless, living in London, spent a year co-writing with my flatmate which hasn't risen to much and I'm now needing a plan of action.
I'm hoping to get a job as a runner somewhere (Not off to a good start, I sent 78 individual e-mails to all the production companies I could find that produce comedy, 4 got back to me and they all said no), so at least I can get some contacts, some experience in the industry and some money. I'd also like to continue my other projects on the side.
a) Try offering your services for free. It got me a great job on a radio station before, and one of my subsequent colleagues as well. A lot of people are doing it these days. It looks good on your CV and won't affect your benefits, if indeed you are receiving any.
b) You will need c. £2000 for this next strategy: if you truly believe in yourself, take out a full-page ad (or a series of smaller ads) asking for work, in Private Eye. Whoever reads it will at least respect your initiative, and it may well lead to something.
Whatever you do, put yourself out there and don't give up.
All the best.
Quote: Leevil @ June 21 2011, 2:15 PM BSTI plan on making a sandwich. Not sure what kind of sandwich though. I haven't planned that far ahead.
I think Colin beat you to it.
Yeah I can't afford to do free work at the moment, however you mentioned how it won't affect my benefits. I'm not currently on jobseekers allowance but if I did sign up, would they still give me benefits if I'm doing a runner job for free/work experience somewhere? Or will they try and get me to interview for a job cleaning meat grinding machines?
Quote: Pineapplesky @ June 22 2011, 2:33 PM BSTYeah I can't afford to do free work at the moment, however you mentioned how it won't affect my benefits. I'm not currently on jobseekers allowance but if I did sign up, would they still give me benefits if I'm doing a runner job for free/work experience somewhere?
Yes, it won't affect your JSA if you work somewhere for free, nor if you work no more than 16 hours per week. If and when you decide to sign on, tell them of your plans and aspirations and your "work for free" strategy in order to get a job in the area that you want, and they may well even help you with that. It will help if you have a printed "business plan". They will take you more seriously. I say this as an ex-Benefits Advisor/Training Consultant, who helped c. 30 people gain employment through "working for free", over a period of 18 months in that job.
Quote: Pineapplesky @ June 22 2011, 2:33 PM BSTOr will they try and get me to interview for a job cleaning meat grinding machines?
If they see some serious initiative in you, they will help you and won't force you to interviews in such areas. However, if, after 6 months, you are still not employed (having done your ideal free work experience), then they may start to push you into other areas. It very much depends on you and your attitude.
Good luck.
Thanks a lot for your advice. I've been seeking that kind of information for awhile and rang a few Jobseeker numbers but they kept on telling me I'd need to arrange a meeting, when all I needed was a simple yes and no answer.
Thanks again, it's much appreciated!
Just to clarify some ambiguity, you can work unpaid for as many hours a week as you like, and/or you can do paid work for up to 16 hours per week, and neither option will affect your JSA, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
Quote: Pineapplesky @ June 22 2011, 3:21 PM BSTThanks a lot for your advice. ... it's much appreciated!
You're very welcome.
Quote: Nat Wicks @ June 22 2011, 9:19 AM BSTGood job I'm not a Geordie then (and technically neither is she).
Stop spoiling my fun you meanie! You're both from around there though aren't you? I still think you'd have to take her down.
Quote: Stylee TingTing @ June 22 2011, 3:46 PM BSTJust to clarify some ambiguity, you can work unpaid for as many hours a week as you like, and/or you can do paid work for up to 16 hours per week, and neither option will affect your JSA, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
You're very welcome.
It's upto 16 hours of any form of work or work like activity including
training but not voluntary work.
The voluntary work needs to be with a registered charity and yo have to be available to attend work interviews within 48 hours.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/benefits/benefits_for_people_looking_for_work.htm
JSA isn't much fun and they're twisting the screws tighter and tighter to make sure you're available for work and actively seeking it.
these guys seem to have lots of artsy type runnery jobs.
We are all rooting for 'our Nat' She puts in the miles, hours and hard work. And holds a normal job down too.
Not that you need encouragement Nat - but keep it up, keep to the plan and we will all be proud of you one day.