Quote: blahblah @ October 13 2011, 7:43 PM BSTit's all gone a bit albert square
Doof doof etc.
I wasn't going to enter this as I don't want to write for any of those premises (premi? premisi?). Does look dodgy though.
BBC Three opportunity for a sitcom writer.... Page 7
A Google search of eclipsetalent@aol.com shows that 1 post on mandy.com and nowhere else.
I'm not suggesting that someone's set up this competition to deliberately lure in the worst scripts about the most clieched of all circumstances, but some might read more into it than me.
Definite scam.
See http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090616123955AAKgQM2
Thanks it does look dodgy.
Quote: Jack Daniels @ October 13 2011, 7:59 AM BSTHa Ha Ha Ha Ha.
Don't attempt jokes if you haven't paid the going rate. Making jokes isn't free lady
Ok yeah. I go on various forums and engage in various discussions and after-show meet ups where people exchange tips, knowledge and brainstorms for free. You do this, but for an overpriced fee. Fair enough, different ways .Either way, there's far bigger and worse at it than you. You probably do mean well. It's not personal, it's what you represent.
Anyway, yeah, let's leave it there.
Jack don't go- I want to see more cartoons of me! Please?...
Quote: dellas @ October 13 2011, 10:01 PM BST
This. And I think a few insults were thrown both ways from all parties to be fair.
Hey Marc what's the murder weapon in you're new book?
Quote: Marc P @ October 13 2011, 10:39 PM BSTa few insults were thrown both ways from all parties
I'd have gone with a gun.
Third, Dellas and Marc. Strong words with reasonable and just concerns underlying them, though I think they were ultimately addressed.
Sorry I've been away. Have I missed anything?
Now where do I send my drag queen sitcom Falsie Towers again?
Kev F
PS. Declan, Simon and I are not and have not been "business partners", and were totally disassociated when someone who'd been to a writing class run by the Mission won a Trials show, and the Trials and Mission have been from the start and remain separate shows. But if this hasn't been explained often enough I really don't feel it deserves repeating here.
Quote: Kev F @ October 13 2011, 11:28 PM BSTBut if this hasn't been explained often enough I really don't feel it deserves repeating here.
But you will anyway, just in case...
Quote: RedZed333 @ October 13 2011, 11:31 PM BSTBut you will anyway, just in case...
There's something about some people and their misguided lies that is the very definition of goading.
To my mind, people are forgetting that innocent people are being criticised based on one person's generic opinion of courses. Jack is perfectly entitled to have an opinion on the pros and cons of courses and the BCG is one of the best places in the world (or known universe) to express this opinion, but how and where it is expressed is important, and one loudly-expressed opinion has the potential to influence others. There are threads about the pros and cons of courses. I know enough to my own cost that some threads take different turns, but it does seem weird that this one has so much chatter about specific courses.
Anyway, now that it's been raised repeatedly, I do really feel sorry for the people who have been defamed (yes, defamed) here, even though I have no connection with them. They probably (rightly) have judged that any further defence won't convince anybody, but what the hell, I'll wade in - Jack's comments have repeated so many errors that he previously seemed to distance himself from, it's almost ridiculous. If you want to judge the value of a course or competition, though, I would suggest the people who have gone through that course or competition are better placed to judge its merits than somebody who hasn't been through them (and indeed is a self-confessed sceptic).
For the record, yes, I've entered the Sitcom Trials, once, got nowhere, and this was when it was produced by neither Declan (and Simon) nor Kev F Sutherland. I also entered the Sitcom Mission, once, and got nowhere, having been to Declan and Simon's course. Does that mean these competitions or courses are crap, or didn't I pay enough? Actually, having seen the winner of the Sitcom Mission this year walk off with a £5k Hat Trick commission and the runner-up also get option talks (I'm paraphrasing), having been showcased in front of top industry producers, I can't imagine that this sort of exposure will help those writers. Surely it can't? Can it?
Anyway, I did bother to work out, unlike Jack, that these competitions are completely independent. I'm glad Mr Ashdown has clarified one of the points made by Jack about how somebody who spends some effort on their writing might improve their chances of success. Not an earth-shattering observation to me, but then I always thought the England football team would be better off practicing penalties just in case it made them better at taking them. Who knows how that will ever end up?
Out of interest, how many comedians/comedy writers started off by going on a course?
(And are willing to admit it)
Sarah Millican did, I think. Any others?
Quote: spiggle @ October 13 2011, 9:23 PM BSTDefinite scam.
See http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090616123955AAKgQM2
I think that's referring to the film title rather than this company, but further reinforcement that internet dodgyness is abundant!
Evan, did you hear back from them yet?
Entirely convinced that this 'opportunity' will not end well for any writer, but still intrigued as to what's going on- unless this is all publicity for something they know will provoke debate because it's so bad, and I've fallen into their trap. Grr
Quote: Jinky @ October 14 2011, 7:32 AM BSTOut of interest, how many comedians/comedy writers started off by going on a course?
(And are willing to admit it)
Sarah Millican did, I think. Any others?
Lot's, I imagine,it's no great shame. I remember reading that Catherine Tate took some course or other.And of course many will have been involved in acting courses, and improvisation courses, at some point.
Lots of American comics and funny writers come up through things like the UCB in the States. Which is like a badge of quality over there, it seems.