He's ruined my thesis entirely.
Does one need to go to Oxbridge to stand a chance Page 2
As I said when I had my viva voce!
Belonging to footlights does not hurt:
Going to Oxbridge is probably a good career move whatever your chosen line, but for comedy at least, it is more about making connections, learning how things are done and gaining a belief that such a career is possible, than about any ingrained prejudice in the system.
Stand up does seem more of a route in for the plebs. Sketch shows are a bit of a faff, you need to find collaborators who share your talent, goals and belief, and you need to rehearse with them, find suitable venues etc; whereas when it is just about you and the audience there are more opportunities and it is easier to make a start, and if you are good and stick with in you are more likely to make a living out of it and get noticed, without needing to rely on old Uni mates in the biz to throw you the occasional bone.
Quote: Tursiops @ September 30 2012, 12:49 AM BSTBelonging to footlights does not hurt:
Going to Oxbridge is probably a good career move whatever your chosen line, but for comedy at least, it is more about making connections, learning how things are done and gaining a belief that such a career is possible, than about any ingrained prejudice in the system.
Stand up does seem more of a route in for the plebs. Sketch shows are a bit of a faff, you need to find collaborators who share your talent, goals and belief, and you need to rehearse with them, find suitable venues etc; whereas when it is just about you and the audience there are more opportunities and it is easier to make a start, and if you are good and stick with in you are more likely to make a living out of it and get noticed, without needing to rely on old Uni mates in the biz to throw you the occasional bone.
This is undoubtedly true. But it also works the other way round. Viz. To make it as a comedy writer/performer at the top level you need to be very bright (in a slightly wrong way) and Oxbridge do get more bright applicants than the average Poly.
Blimey, I wasn't actually expecting anyone to reply.
Sent the original post from my phone on my lunch break, so it's not as well explained as it could have been.
I'm not complaining that I can't have my own sketch show or anything, I am trying to write for Newsjack/newsrevue etc and I am astonished at how crap my own comedy is, so I'm not moaning about how unfair it is because I wouldn't stand a chance even if it was a level playing field.
The thought actually came from the fact that, in an effort to try and learn something, I've been watching sketch shows such as Not The Nine O'Clock News and also listening to radio sketch shows like That Mitchell and Webb Sound amongst others. And although I always knew that lots of people in comedy come straight from Footlights or Oxford Revue, I was still surprised at just how many. For example - I didn't realise that Lee & Herring went to Oxford.
I think a mix of above posts are probably right though. Bright people go to Oxbridge anyway, those environments are more likely to foster 'arty' stuff and bring similar minded people together. Plus the 'mindset' of being able to achieve anything, 'acceptable' career choices etc.
Plus, of course, a bit of good old fashioned bias & cronyism. Also, I suppose those who are more well off are more likely to be able to fund an Edinburgh show.
I also think that, although there are exceptions, sketch shows and sitcoms thrive on middle class sensibilities.
First of all, the really important point. David Salisbury and joebloggs69, you both have excellent avatars. David, I recognise that illustration from my childhood but can't place it. Where is it from?
Re the Oxbridge thing. Yeah, I'd say one does. Chris Morris (Bristol), Ricky Gervais (UCL) and Matt Berry (Nottingham Trent) are pretty unique in that they didn't go there.
In art, it's Central St Martins (or whatever it's called now).
Even Nick 'Let's Talk About Football Cos I'm One of the Lads' Hancock went to Shrewsbury School and Homerton College, Cambridge.
Of course, I could be wrong. In which case, I'll just stick my fingers in my ears and talk over you.
And SimonWing...
Argle, be!
Youms a janner is ee?
I never even went to school never mind uni!
It seems strange that this question is still being asked when we are living in the golden age of 'getting your work in front of an audience' with the internet and all that.
I suppose if one's comedic dream is to ghostwrite a few puns for David Mitchell on some 'quiz' on Radio Four, then an Oxbridge education still helps. Otherwise, complaining about a conspiracy is just avoiding the harsh truth that you haven't got the talent, work ethic or luck* to achieve your goals.
(*The Holy Trinity)
Quote: Jinky @ September 30 2012, 2:00 PM BSTcomplaining about a conspiracy is just avoiding the harsh truth that you haven't got the talent, work ethic or luck* to achieve your goals.
I am really not sure anyone was complaining, but if by work ethic you include the slog needed to get into Oxbridge in the first place and if by luck you mean happening to know a Radio 4 producer socially, then you are probably about right.
Quote: Jinky @ September 30 2012, 2:00 PM BSTwe are living in the golden age of 'getting your work in front of an audience' with the internet and all that.
I tend to share David Mitchell's view on that one.
My view on that - in terms of comedy, music and film, which are all things I care about - is that the more people that get themselves 'in front of an audience' the lower the quality and the more fractured the audience.
Which is ironic: I suppose I personally would like to see fewer channels and avenues in front of a large audience, but not so much of a closed shop in terms of those who get a crack at the whip. Yep, cake, eat it.
I've no idea what David Mitchell view is, but I suspect it's along the same lines, but funnier and more ranty.
Quote: joebloggs69 @ September 30 2012, 7:01 PM BSTI've no idea what David Mitchell view is, but I suspect it's along the same lines, but funnier and more ranty.
Pretty much, with an added lack of interest in doing everything for himself, rather than just the bits he is actually good at.
Quote: Marc P @ September 30 2012, 12:07 AM BSTRoyston Vasey!!! Eh? Eh!!! You know what I am saying!
He was in my local Tesco earlier on, buying sausages.
Quote: Ignatius Rake @ September 30 2012, 12:19 PM BSTFirst of all, the really important point. David Salisbury and joebloggs69, you both have excellent avatars. David, I recognise that illustration from my childhood but can't place it. Where is it from?
Thank you
It's Basil Fotherington-Thomas from the immortal Molesworth books.
Quote: Lee Henman @ September 30 2012, 7:51 PM BSTHe was in my local Tesco earlier on, buying sausages.
Steer him next time to the tesco finest chicken kiev!
Quote: Marc P @ September 30 2012, 11:41 PM BSTSteer him next time to the tesco finest chicken kiev!
Ooo yeah I've had that one. Delish. The Tesco Finest slow-cooked lamb shanks aren't bad either*. Especially with crispy roastys. *salivates* Sorry, what was this thread about? Oh yeah, Oxbridge etc. Erm...dunno really. Nah. In fact there's probably a lot more sketch shows made by plebs. (not policemen).
*This thread is sponsored by Tesco Finest Range. Every little helps.