Quote: Marc P @ March 10 2012, 8:39 AM GMTThat local gossip eh?
Fair enough, you got me.
I just didn't want to admit that my mum worked in 'the business'....
BBC 'Exploiting Writers' Page 3
She's a script editor!
No one is being shafted here. The trial writers are utterly superfluous to the staffing of the programme. So how are they taking paid work away from anyone?
As for when you get paid, a stand-up parallel suggests itself - it's when your contributions are worth something to someone!
Quote: Mr Writer Like In The Song @ March 10 2012, 11:17 AM GMTThe trial writers are utterly superfluous to the staffing of the programme.
Which is the key point really; whether this opportunity to gain experience is saving a paid post. If, as you say, not, then no big deal.
Though having said that the media is notorious for using unpaid 'trustafarian' labour to save costs, so you can see how the writer may have made the connection.
I wouldn't use terms like 'shafted' or 'ripped-off' because it's quite obvious what is going on.
'Exploiting the emotionally vulnerable' might be a better phrase.
I should point out that I am a stinking hypocrite in many ways, as last year I was asked to contribute to a couple of BBC projects (neither came to anything) that were giant piles of shite and I would have to have changed my name and moved to Bolivia if they had come to anything. I realise I sound a bit ungracious in saying that, but the point is that when offered the work did I...
a) Shout "No way, Buster! I am not a number, I AM A FREE MAN!!!
or
b) Curtsey, before simultaneously pooing my pants with excitement and fainting, only to be brought round with smelling salts while meekly whispering 'Thank you, mister....I'll do anything you say....and thank you just now for even listening to me saying thank you....'
It was 'b'. I've managed to pull off the difficult trick of 'selling out' without getting paid or anyone seeing what I did.
Anyway, if comedy (like so many other aspects of British life) is moving back to feudal times, can we at least bring back the Guilds?
Non-anonymous writers make the alternate point: http://www.chortle.co.uk/correspondents/2012/03/11/15020/not_exploitation%2C_but_genuine_experience
Dan
Why is a writer with 16 years experience knocking on the door of The News Quiz? Well, I would imagine it's because they need the work...