British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Features Page 81

The Secret Reviewer Performance

The Secret Reviewer #8: Friends or Foes

  • Wednesday 6th November 2019

Every month our clandestine critic reveals the murky truths behind that infamous trade, and live comedy generally. This month: should you review people you know?

Tourist Trap. Elaine (Sally Phillips). Copyright: The Comedy Unit Writing

How we write Tourist Trap

  • Monday 28th October 2019

Gareth Gwynn, Sian Harries and Tudur Owen explain how they plan and write Tourist Trap, the semi-improvised sitcom on BBC Wales. They offer up some great insight and tips.

Not Going Out. Image shows from L to R: Lee (Lee Mack), Lucy (Sally Bretton) Writing

Nine sitcom writing plotting points

  • Thursday 24th October 2019

Dave Cohen shares advice on the nine Ps of plotting sitcom episodes: plan, personal, proactive, point of no return, pendulum, peril, pathos, punchline and persist.

Steptoe And Son. Image shows from L to R: Harold Steptoe (Harry H. Corbett), Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell). Copyright: BBC Writing

A sitcom set is a character too

  • Friday 18th October 2019

Dave Cohen explains how a sitcom set can be a character in its own right.

Daniel Radcliffe. Copyright: Warner Writing

Harry Potter and the funny secondary characters

  • Thursday 17th October 2019

Through the works of JK Rowling, Dave Cohen explores the roles and importance of secondary characters.

Shaun The Sheep 2: Farmageddon. Will Becher Production

Directing a feature animation

  • Thursday 17th October 2019

Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon co-director Will Becher discusses his career in animation and the making of the new blockbuster feature film.

The Reluctant Landlord. Romesh (Romesh Ranganathan). Copyright: What Larks Productions Writing

Rules to create great sitcom characters

  • Wednesday 16th October 2019

Are comedy writers putting in enough work when creating new characters? Dave Cohen looks at the art of character creation.

Peep Show. Image shows from L to R: Jeremy Usbourne (Robert Webb), Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell). Copyright: Objective Productions Writing

Two sides to every character

  • Tuesday 15th October 2019

Dave Cohen explains how coming up with key words to describe your characters can be very helpful.

Adam Bromley. Copyright: Steve Best Writing

Killing your darlings: What I learned turning from producer to writer-performer

  • Tuesday 15th October 2019

Former Radio 4 producer Adam Bromley discusses the lessons he's learnt in the process of changing roles to become a writer-performer.

Mid Morning Matters With Alan Partridge. Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions Writing

What Is Character?

  • Monday 14th October 2019

Dave Cohen takes a look at two comedy character types: The Monster and The Odd Couple.