How to send sitcom to production companies?

Hi everyone,

I've been writing a sitcom for some time with a little help from an ex Doctor Who script writer. It's now got to the stage where after ten drafts my script editor says I can send it out.

How would you go about doing this? I.E. What do you put in a covering letter? What production companies do you send it too? Do you send some cake and a six pack of lagers with it? That sort of thing, would be great to hear from anyone who's had experience at this stage.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Matt

Has the Who writer got any contacts?
Contacts are best - unsolicited submissions don't get you very far.

I would have thought so might ask him and find out first, I'm still working on the tenth draft but it's pretty much solid. Is it that hard to get unsolicited stuff out there?

Not that far short of impossible.

Get in touch with the other writer - it should have been your first port of call - get him to get in touch with other people he's worked with and build from there.
You already have an excellent contact that many on here would kill for.
Milk it mercilessly!

And ten drafts is plenty.
If it's not right now.....

*EDIT*

Not being rude - well being a bit rude, actually - but are you mental?
Just read your co-writers biog on Wiki- and the fact that you didn't consider using his contacts beggars belief!

Contacts is half the game - he more than anyone else should know that.

Ring him now.

The words "a little help" suggests that he is a freelancer woodsy is using. In which case it may be hard to use the contacts, especially if the freelancer is doing most of the work.

Also, he probably won't have his number.

I have no contacts but if you haven't already, you might want to listen to the audio commentary on IT Crowd (series 3 or 4 I think). Graham Linehan uses it as a guide to writing and gives tips on what to do when you have a script you think is ready.

But like everyone else has said, if you've been writing with a Dr Who writer, best just to ask him how he has used in the past.

Cheers guys appreciate it.

I am in constant communication with the Who writer but wanted to consider my options just in case.

Looks like this it's going to take longer selling it than writing it!

Quote: woodsy @ 27th November 2014, 2:20 PM GMT

Looks like this it's going to take longer selling it than writing it!

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Always!

Quote: Paul Wimsett @ 27th November 2014, 11:46 AM GMT

The words "a little help" suggests that he is a freelancer woodsy is using. In which case it may be hard to use the contacts, especially if the freelancer is doing most of the work.

Also, he probably won't have his number.

View original

With the best will in the world, mate, that doesn't make a scrap of sense.
How would he not have his number?

It would make sense if you used a freelancer, mate. It's just an online acquaintance. Why did you think we came round to your house? (Okay, we might be Skyped...)

Quote: Paul Wimsett @ 27th November 2014, 6:45 PM GMT

It would make sense if you used a freelancer, mate. It's just an online acquaintance. Why did you think we came round to your house? (Okay, we might be Skyped...)

View original

Freelancing isn't limited to the internet, Paul.

Anyway, Woodsy, if you're in contact with an ex Doctor Who writer and you have a script editor... why are you asking us?!

Do you get your jobs offline?

I don't think Andrew Cartmel (the Doctor Who writer in question) is a freelancer-can't find a site to hire him.

Quote: Lazzard @ 27th November 2014, 3:00 PM GMT

Always!

With the best will in the world, mate, that doesn't make a scrap of sense.
How would he not have his number?

View original

Quote: Paul Wimsett @ 27th November 2014, 6:45 PM GMT

It would make sense if you used a freelancer, mate. It's just an online acquaintance. Why did you think we came round to your house? (Okay, we might be Skyped...)

View original

Loving the 'mates'. It is still ok to just call someone a tosser here though isn't it?

Meanwhile - Contacts are always the best way in this game. And if you haven't got any get some! The best divers all need a platform to belly flop from.

Quote: Paul Wimsett @ 27th November 2014, 10:22 PM GMT

Do you get your jobs offline?

I don't think Andrew Cartmel (the Doctor Who writer in question is a freelancer-can't find a site to hire him.

View original

He's a writer.
All writers are freelancers.

The word is whore Lazzard

Quote: Marc P @ 28th November 2014, 1:26 PM GMT

The word is whore Lazzard

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At least whores don't have to haggle over percentage points on the back end....