Do you write just the pilot to start of? Page 2

That's good to know, cheers.

This is going to happen dangerously soon for us. We have the pilot, another episode and 4 plotted.

So Seefacts, when you sent yours was it just the pilot and one side of A4 synopsis?

Quote: Norton&Wright @ May 28 2008, 2:03 PM BST

That's good to know, cheers.

This is going to happen dangerously soon for us. We have the pilot, another episode and 4 plotted.

So Seefacts, when you sent yours was it just the pilot and one side of A4 synopsis?

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I've only sent a synopsis when it was asked for, I always send out pilots on their own.

Well it seemed to work for you, so that's good enough for me.

I write 2-3 then pick the funniest. Normally you can tell if your struggling on number 2 if the idea has legs.

I once had a pilot rejected by the BBC, because although they liked the writing, they could not see the potential for a series. Had I attached a synopsis of future episodes that might have helped. (Though to be fair when I did sit down to write future episodes I couldn't see the potential for a series either..)

A friend had a similar experience, where a script for an opening episode intended to establish characters, was rejected for lacking plot, when he had in fact lots of plot ideas for future episodes.

I suppose it comes down to the individual script you are trying to pitch as to what is the best approach.

Quote: Timbo @ May 28 2008, 2:27 PM BST

I once had a pilot rejected by the BBC, because although they liked the writing, they could not see the potential for a series.

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Yeah, we've had that too (with an indie, not the beeb) - so we added some episode outlines and got it picked up elsewhere.

It does depend on the individual producer as to whether they want episode outlines or not. Some will end up asking for them just before they're about to pitch to a channel, almost as if it's an afterthought.

On the subject of how many scripts to write - I really wouldn't write more than one. In fact, we rarely write full pilots before pitching to prodcos, but instead write proposals/treatments with sample dialogue, character descriptions, overviews, etc, etc... which most producers seem to be happy with (there are exceptions, of course). Sending a proposal allows the idea to be even more flexible and open to the input of others, compared to presenting them with a full script.

Quote: Bomber @ May 28 2008, 2:41 PM BST

In fact, we rarely write full pilots before pitching to prodcos, but instead write proposals/treatments with sample dialogue, character descriptions, overviews, etc, etc... which most producers seem to be happy with (there are exceptions, of course). Sending a proposal allows the idea to be even more flexible and open to the input of others, compared to presenting them with a full script.

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But doesn't this take away the whole writing experience? Isn't that why we do this in the first place? If I didn't get to write it, I'd just feel like another middle-manager, bandying around stuff without having any sort of actual purpose...

Dan

Quote: swerytd @ May 28 2008, 3:21 PM BST

But doesn't this take away the whole writing experience? Isn't that why we do this in the first place? If I didn't get to write it, I'd just feel like another middle-manager, bandying around stuff without having any sort of actual purpose...

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We do actually write our ideas - just not whole pilots for all of them. We present them in their most malleable, pitchable form. We've written plenty of pilot scripts in our time, but it's getting as many contacts as possible (and as a consequence, getting things made, of course!) that's the real game here. And prodcos mostly pitch proposals to channels (to try and get development money for the full pilot script), so proposals are what we mostly provide them with.

James

Oh, I don't disagree with you in what is right/not right. Just that I'm in this to write cos I enjoy it. The way you do it sounds like 'just another job'. I've already got a job that depresses me -- writing is the way out of that job!

Dan

I see what you mean! Yeah, it does feel very much like a proper job at times

When you have to sit alone in your office churning out comedy to order with deadlines, I'm sure it'll feel like a job.

A lot of pro writers says how lonely it is.

Hello...hello...ello...lo...lo...o...

Echo..echo...echo...cho...oo..