Hi, I was just wondering if any one here had ever sent an unsolicited script to the BBC and had feedback from them? It would be really nice to know if it's difficult to get any and what the standard is like. Thank you!
BBC Writers room - ever had any feedback?
Would like to know this too. I sent my first sitcom script in to them about a month ago.
They only give feedback if they read the whole script (they only read the whole thing if the first 10 pages grab them).
At least I think that's when they give feedback, that was the case as late as this summer.
In terms of time scale, it could be a while, they receive a lot these days.
I sent in a script years ago and I got a postcard saying it arrived and then it took about 6 months to hear back. I never got any feedback because they only read the first ten pages
You'll get a postcard with an offensivley condescending aphorism on it.
You know " Writing's not a hobby - it's an addiction" sort of humbug.
If it's any consolation, the thing I sent was rejected - didn't get past the first fence.
Six months later I sold the option and it's out for casting as we speak.
So don't lose heart and don't make it your only route.
10 years ago after sending in 4 unsolicited sit com scripts one of the scripts caught the BBC comedy units attention and they invited me in for a meeting.
At the same time I had started a business which started to take off in a good way so I had the dilema of which way to go. The new business or the sit com adventure.I chose the business and asked for the script back.
With the business now well established and with good staff I am in the position to have another go at sit com. 10 weeks ago I sent in a script and await a reply from the BBC.
My meeting in London at the BBC comedy unit was very interesting and enlighting.
In the BBC office were piles of scripts as they received thousands every year from hopeful script writers.
My advice for what it is worth is to keep trying but only send a script to the BBC when you honestly feel you can't improve it.
Good luck to you all in 2012.
I think I read somewhere that the general average is...
...the majority don't get past the 10 page test, about 10% get a full read with feedback, and less than 1% get invited in for a chat.
I have sent four scripts. Three have come back with feedback.
The one without feedback was a sitcom, the three with feedback were dramas.
So answering your question about how difficult it is to get feedback...
...it all depends on whether or not you sent them a good script.
Agree with the above.
The BBC are bound by the license fee agreement to read 'part' of everything they get - but it's cursory and they don't have a high hit rate as regards what has actually been produced. Yes, do not make it your only port of call and do not expect any feedback. To whom do you think they are giving these scripts to read?
Experienced sitcom writers/readers?
Or novice/intern graduates?
Or somebody's niece or nephew?
Make your own. Make them come to you.