Congrats.
BBC Comedy College Page 57
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I find myself curiously indifferent to the whole thing now. I hope it uis a succes, but only because I want to see it run again next year.
Well done Jdubya, please let us know how you get on.
certainly will. thanks so much. I might try a blog or somesuch.
Off to Bristol now for three nights of gigging to drunken stag and hen parties.
Living the dream...
I don't want to sound bitter though I probably will but I just don't understand why someone like Catherine Shepard, a woman who's written and starred in two sketch shows, and a person who's worked for Aardamn would need a "leg up," into the world of comedy. Maybe I just don't understand, or maybe I'm just annoyed I didn't get in.
It's evident it's not a leg up type thing it seems.
You implying it's a leg over type thing? Come on Micheal is it all just a big honey trap?
Quote: hotzappa11 @ May 22 2008, 1:55 PM BSTI don't want to sound bitter though I probably will but I just don't understand why someone like Catherine Shepard, a woman who's written and starred in two sketch shows, and a person who's worked for Aardamn would need a "leg up," into the world of comedy. Maybe I just don't understand, or maybe I'm just annoyed I didn't get in.
I think it's legitimate to mention that a lot of these people seem to have quite a foothold in the industry already.
I think the scheme is designed to address the age old comments about there isn't enough good sitcom on telly etc. It's not a Prince of Wales youth initiative type thing, it is a long term strategy for the BBC to develop and have links with a developing resource of talent. So they are working with individuals looking to move into sitcom or their own sketch shows. It's about the outcome they are concerned with not a 'nurturing' concept for it's own sake I should say. So it is no surprise they are going with a bunch of people they believe will deliver something next year and the years after and so on.
Maybe the way it was promoted was wrong, I don;t know I can't remember, but it was at least open-ish to all who qualified.
They were quite specific about it not being an entry level scheme, but for people who have actually achieved something.
Looks to me like all the winners have achieved something, are continuing to achieve things and are the sort of people the BBC wants to work with.
Best of luck to them.
I suppose in the long-term, it might make sense to make the first one a success with more established talent. A safer bet, if you will, to make sure the scheme continues.
Over time, we're better off with it running each and every year, then them risking six 'nobodies' and it failing miserably.
Of course, conversely, if it's a raging success, then they will probably continue to pick the same type of person (I mean similarly placed in the industry already) and none of us will ever get anywhere with it.
I agree with chip's comment: with no disrespect to her (her writing credits may be zilch, though I doubt it), if Catherine Shepherd is not 'over-qualified', then the person who Micheal said was, must have been John Sullivan or Andy Hamilton!
Dan
Quote: hotzappa11 @ May 22 2008, 1:55 PM BSTI don't want to sound bitter though I probably will but I just don't understand why someone like Catherine Shepard, a woman who's written and starred in two sketch shows, and a person who's worked for Aardamn would need a "leg up," into the world of comedy. Maybe I just don't understand, or maybe I'm just annoyed I didn't get in.
I thought the scheme was exactly tailored for people at that level. I think the only people who would have been overqualified were those who had either written an entire sitcom series or had a very long list of writing credits in the more 'adult' sitcom/sketch field (pre-school/kids is a different discipline).
I didn't enter this as I have never had anything in development or optioned. I've written for a few sketch shows and was lucky to be part of a writing team that did well in the Sony Radio Awards but when it comes to sitcoms, I'm well off the pace.
The sitcom has never been my bag as a writer, mainly due to the vertigo I feel when I reach 3,000 words, but I've got a couple of really good ideas so hopefully I can make some progress with them over the upcoming months, then impress a few production companies (just one will do) so if the scheme does run again, I'll stand more of a chance next time round.
Quote: swerytd @ May 22 2008, 2:54 PM BSTOver time, we're better off with it running each and every year, then them risking six 'nobodies' and it failing miserably.
Of course, conversely, if it's a raging success, then they will probably continue to pick the same type of person (I mean similarly placed in the industry already) and none of us will ever get anywhere with it.
Agreed. It's a curious scheme, but I await with interest to see how it develops and whether it comes back next year or the year after.
Also isn't it useful to see the kind of broad track records the winners have got, and look at building up similar credits ourselves for next time round, or the time after ? For example the winners have done all kind of work like theatre plays, radio plays, cartoons, live sketch shows, stand-up, as well as the more TV-focused stuff like developing sitcoms with prodcos.
What are the BBC aiming for with these writers?
Do they want something new and genuinely funny? Or do they just want writers who are going to deliver more of the same old same old?
It may have come up in Michael's blog, but I've only read a few of them so far.