I think the Comedy Unit are right doing this. If it's not up to a good standard they don't have to spend much time on it. You'd think they'd stop reading the bad stuff early anyway, wouldn't you?
Never sent anything to Baby Cow, but their idea of 10 pages does seem the best.
Quote: Timbo @ July 4 2008, 10:03 PM BSTIn fact there are many vastly superior children's fantasy novelists.
It was a gag based on sootyj's apparent belief that everything has potential....jezzz....you guys!
Quote: Griff @ July 4 2008, 10:52 PM BSTI wouldn't dream of it. (The spitting, not the dining. That might actually be a good idea.)
Now, what are other posters having for their tea ? Let's turn this into an episode of The Royle Family.
NB in terms of children's fantasy novels I'm very much a His Dark Materials man. Awesome.
"Having". Man, it's 11pm.
Quote: Seefacts @ July 4 2008, 8:24 PM BSTWho's said 'this is shit' again? Ah yes, no one.
Marc P's breakdown, in the first part of said script, was just 'Needs to be a funny line' about 6 times over. That's just a nice way of saying 'this bit isn't funny'.
I honestly didn't think this was what I said, or was doing, I was honestly trying to be helpful, but like I say I am not a professional sitcom writer, perhaps you could show us what I should have advised in a critique to be helpful?
Quote: Marc P @ July 5 2008, 12:09 AM BSTI honestly didn't think this was what I said, or was doing, I was honestly trying to be helpful, but like I say I am not a professional sitcom writer, perhaps you could show us what I should have advised in a critique to be helpful?
No, I'm not saying what you did was wrong, you were incredibly helpful and took a a lot of time doing what you did.
I just think that 'This line needs to be funny' is beyond critique. To mean, you can't teach or advise that aspect of comedy writing, in my opinion.
And if I see a few pages of script and someone has pointed out a lot of places where some jokes are needed then I'm thinking 'This is beyond help'.
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 4 2008, 8:08 PM BSTI don't think you have to post your material to necessarily have an opinion on those who do.
People should feel free to post-or-not-post their work. Though if you do post then I think anyone is entitled to offer whatever (positive or negative) criticism they want.
That's exactly what I think.
The first couple of things that I put up didn't get great feedback and I was a little sulky about that, but you have to get over it.
Negative feedback is a great gift if you're willing to listen to it.
It is indeed, i'm getting some feedback on my latest missive, that is very helpful.
Especially as it matches what I was thinking.
Maybe there should be a rule - oi SlagA - that if you can't find at least one positive thing to say about a piece then you should say it best like Ronan K bangs on about.
Quote: Marc P @ July 5 2008, 11:31 AM BSTMaybe there should be a rule - oi SlagA - that if you can't find at least one positive thing to say about a piece then you should say it best like Ronan K bangs on about.
Isn't that massively patronising?
Quote: Seefacts @ July 4 2008, 8:24 PM BSTMarc P's breakdown, in the first part of said script, was just 'Needs to be a funny line' about 6 times over. That's just a nice way of saying 'this bit isn't funny'.
I think Seefacts has unwittingly hit the nail on the head. What's wrong with giving negative feedback - if something deserves it - but in a nice way?
In what way?
Quote: Marc P @ July 5 2008, 11:40 AM BSTIn what way?
Referring to why is it patronising not the Badge's post.
I don't understand why somebody would post something if they didn't want negative feedback? If you think your work is perfect, send it to production companies rather than posting it on forums!
I only posted my first sketch this morning, and I've already had useful constructive criticism. And actually the criticism *was* 'you need to put a joke in there'.
Quote: Marc P @ July 5 2008, 11:46 AM BSTReferring to why is it patronising not the Badge's post.
It's that kind of 'Even if it's totally rubbish, big it up' attitude that has put the education system in such a mess! Ohh, a bit politics and so on.
I think it's even more counter-productive.
Maybe it's also to do with the fact that a 'first' sitcom script - as in first ever attempt - will be hideously amateurish, and beyond help. I think you need to have written for a good few years before you start to produce anything of real quality.
Quote: Griff @ July 5 2008, 11:41 AM BSTAbsolutely nothing.
Some people know how to do this, others seem unable or unwilling to.
Again, all I've said on a regular basis is 'Not enough jokes'. I posted that over and over, and that is not an unfair assessment or a mean one. It's a simple bit of critique.
You've got it mixed up that I've said stuff was 'shit'. When I've never said that. I was referring to something totally different in a totally different context.
Why do you need to sugarcoat a negative feedback though? I don't mean that being blatantly rude is fine, but saying "I don't think it's funny" isn't that offensive. If you can offer some constructive criticism on why it's not funny, then fine. If you can't offer any, then fine again.
It's my belief (with no evidence, mind!) that the best time to develop a thick skin is as an amateur.