Just a reminder that there's still spaces left on our Introduction to Sitcom Writing workshop this Saturday 7 January in London.
https://www.comedy.co.uk/sitcom_mission/workshops/2/
And we're surprised and delighted that we're now being followed on Twitter by a Manchester United footballer. Who would have thought?
Sorry Declan. I'm in Center Parcs this weekend for a BIG birthday party - but will be interested in the next one - and do tell (or give a simplton clue) who HE is!!!
Ha ha, not telling!
But we checked out his tweets and he's really funny.
Well he would have to have a sense of humour in his club...ahem...his job - now let me ponder...
Sitcom Mission & Trials fans who only know Simon Wright as the esteemed co-producer of the respective shows should remember that he is also a fine actor with a brilliant comic touch. Over on the Sitcom Trials blog I've been re-posting episodes from the archives, and this one shows Simon at his best, appearing in both of the competing sitcoms:
The competing sitcoms, and the endings of both (one of which was broadcast on the night and one of which is being seen for the first time now) are here:
Perfect 10 by Rich Johnston Football by Bowdler & Manning Winner a Winner b
Four weeks to go to the deadline. How's it all going guys?
Here's our latest blog: https://www.comedy.co.uk/sitcom_mission/blog/
Cheers, Declan
Unfortunately, I've not been well, which has cost me 3 or 4 days of writing. My plot and characters are developing at every session. I'm keeping copies of early drafts, to compare with my final effort. I do have a question though. When introducing characters in a script, do you just add a small description before they first speak ? i.e.
DAVE (30, RECEPTIONIST, SMARTLY DRESSED):
Good morning. May I help you?
FRED (35, BANK ROBBER, WEARING STRIPEY TOP):
Just give me the money.
*Note. This isn't part of my script.
Hi Park Bench
That looks fine. Although we'd prefer a bit of character description instead of clothing:
DAVE (30, RECEPTIONIST, THINKS HE'S HITLER)
Good morning. May I help you?
FRED (35, BANK ROBBER, NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE BOX)
Just give me the money.
Hope that helps, Declan
Declan: But wouldn't the character be obvious through their dialogue and behaviour (assuming the writing is up to scratch?) Do we need to spell it out?
Hi Evan
From what we've found, writers who use the words 'obvious' or 'obviously' haven't made it clear to the reader at all. But I take your point. So that would give us:
DAVE (30, RECEPTIONIST, THINKS HE'S HITLER)
Good morning. May I help you?
FRED (35, BANK ROBBER, NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE BOX)
Just give me the money.
and
DAVE (30, RECEPTIONIST, NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE BOX)
Good morning. May I help you?
FRED (35, BANK ROBBER, THINKS HE'S HITLER)
Just give me the money.
Both have the same lines, but the direction changes the relationship and the meaning completely.
If we can do this simply with the line, we could get:
DAVE (30, RECEPTIONIST)
Yes?
FRED (35, BANK ROBBER)
Er... could you hand over all of the money? Please and thank you.
and
DAVE (30, RECEPTIONIST)
Oh wow, a shotgun.
FRED (35, BANK ROBBER)
All the money, stupid little man. Now.
I'm thinking out loud here.
So who can come up with the first two lines to Park Bench's not-sitcom to show that either Dave is a little Hitler and Fred is a thicky or vice versa.
DAVE:
Vot do you vant, little man ?
Yes, I meant to say, this isn't allowed:
DAVE (30, RECEPTIONIST)
Good morning, I'm a bit thick. May I help you?
FRED (35, BANK ROBBER)
Just give me the money, I need it to invade Poland and set up a master race.
Aw, please? I'd quite like to write the next 15 minutes of that!
D'oh.
Back to the drawing board.
DAVE:
May I help you, sir ?
BR:
Yes. I'd like to make a withdrawal. However, I don't have an account here, just this shotgun.
DAVE:
Oh, a double-barrelled Purdey. You do realise, there are 3 of us behind the counter and you only have two shots?
BR:
You'd be number one.
DAVE:
Will twenties be okay?
Oh, go on then Andy.
But I want a writing credit...