Scripts that you've sent off.

a few questions. firstly, if you send off a script to a production company, are they really going to be bothered with punctuation and grammer to the extent that an English teacher would mark a test?

also, how do you get your foot in the door. i've written a sitcom script and i've been researching for a few weeks now where people started off. turns out the majority did stand up before television comedy.

and finally, would you say that not getting replies from production companies is because they dn't like your work, or they just haven't read it?

Quote: Tom Cartin @ May 25 2008, 10:49 PM BST

a few questions. firstly, if you send off a script to a production company, are they really going to be bothered with punctuation and grammer to the extent that an English teacher would mark a test?

also, how do you get your foot in the door. i've written a sitcom script and i've been researching for a few weeks now where people started off. turns out the majority did stand up before television comedy.

and finally, would you say that not getting replies from production companies is because they dn't like your work, or they just haven't read it?

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1 - Yes. If it looks lazy and badly edited, they'll toss it in the bin.

2 - Write something really good and get it to the right people. Start of the year I was struggling to get work read. Three months later I was writing sketches for a C4 pilot and having a pilot pitched to the BBC. It can be done.

3 - Depends. Some reply, even with a no - which is nice as they've taken time out to read it. Other just ignore, which is annoying.

Well I've had no success yet but I would think punctuation helps with getting the meaning across. Therefore it is important. If it's too much like hard work they won't be interested.

Yes, they're doing you a favour by reading it. If you can't make the effort to make it as easy as possible for them, it doesn't make you look good!

I agree with what has been said and agree that being a performer probably helps. That said Phill has made some good comments on his website about a career path of sorts for writers, try looking at that.

The official line is "If it looks like a script, we'll read it". But you're obviously not doing yourself any favours by sending in badly-spelled, poorly-punctuated scripts, so why would you do it? I know if I was a script reader I'd think you were either thick or lazy, which aren't the best attributes for a potential television writer.

A lot of writers have done stand-up before, but I'd say they're actually in the minority.

As for the last question, it's sometimes a case of the producer being far too busy to reply, but often - sadly - a case of they just can't be arsed. If you don't get an answer within a couple of months, don't be afraid to kick them up the arse and get them on the phone.

Quote: Perry Nium @ May 26 2008, 10:32 AM BST

As for the last question, it's sometimes a case of the producer being far too busy to reply, but often - sadly - a case of they just can't be arsed. If you don't get an answer within a couple of months, don't be afraid to kick them up the arse and get them on the phone.

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Is that what you do?

I always chicken out emailing again because I feel like I'm hassling them.

"Punctuation maketh the gag." A colon can completely change a line; you can always start off small with a semi.

Quote: Seefacts @ May 26 2008, 11:36 AM BST

Is that what you do?

I always chicken out emailing again because I feel like I'm hassling them.

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Yeah I generally try to get them on the blower if there's no answer. Often it's just a case that they've forgot or been really busy. Or hate your stuff. But there's nothing wrong with giving 'em a buzz.

Or get a decent agent, they're paid to chase up shit.

I'm not sure I could live without my colon.

Quote: Perry Nium @ May 27 2008, 1:17 PM BST

Yeah I generally try to get them on the blower if there's no answer. Often it's just a case that they've forgot or been really busy. Or hate your stuff. But there's nothing wrong with giving 'em a buzz.

Or get a decent agent, they're paid to chase up shit.

View original

I bloody hate phoning. I always make a tit of myself.