British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Expectation: 10-Page Call Out

Your chance to break into TV comedy with BCG Pro

Expectation

TV comedy is a notoriously difficult, competitive field to write for.

British Comedy Guide has been championing the craft and encouraging new talent for almost two decades, during which time hundreds of our members and readers have gone on to gain professional credits. Now BCG Pro is teaming up with Expectation, one of the hottest production companies around, to offer a fresh opportunity for talented creatives to smash past industry gatekeepers and get noticed.

Formed only in 2017, Expectation has already become one of the 10 most-influential independent producers in the country, with credits ranging from Alma's Not Normal to Intelligence, and In My Skin to The Change. Boasting a diverse array of formats and backing from BBC Studios, the company is undoubtedly a leader in the field.

Together, BCG Pro and Expectation now want to find the strongest, funniest new comedy scripts out there.

Your level of experience doesn't matter: we want to see your narrative comedy's first 10 pages. Studio audience sitcoms, single camera comedies and comedy drama scripts are equally welcome. Nor are we bothered by the theme - what we care about is the content: we want to see great characters, great stories, and, of course, great jokes.

Nerys Evans, the company's Creative Director of scripted programming, says: "Don't base your script on anything that already exists, or try to write in the style of another writer; just aim to find your own writing style and be brave. Aim to be original and, above all, funny!"

The ten best entries will be read by Expectation's top team, with their favourite three receiving detailed feedback - and the potential of further development.

Entry is open now, until the Monday 30th September 2024 deadline. Our anonymised judging process will ensure a truly fair opportunity for all. If you have 10 pages of script that the world needs to see, this is for you!

If your script is picked, the sky's the limit.

Terms and conditions

  1. This competition will close sharply at 23:59 on Monday 30th September 2024. Late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances.
  2. You must be a subscriber to BCG Pro to enter this opportunity.
  3. Each BCG Pro member can submit one (1) script sample. It can be from any episode in a prospective series, not just the first/pilot.
  4. Entries can be submitted yourself as an individual writer, or on behalf of a writing partnership or collective. If multiple writers are involved, ensure the names of all are recorded at the point of submission.
  5. The script sample must be an original piece of work and must not infringe on the rights of any other party.
  6. Each script must consist of no more than ten (10) pages formatted at A4 size, with text no smaller than 12 point.
  7. Script samples may only be submitted in Word (.doc/x) or Acrobat (.pdf) format.
  8. One you have submitted your script, you will have 48 hours in which to change your upload (i.e. revise your sample), after which point your entry will be locked. At this point, your script will be considered your final entry and moved to the reading pile.
  9. In order to facilitate blind, anonymous judging, submitted scripts should exclude a title page, author's name, and any other personally identifiable information.
  10. Any entries not adhering to rules set out above may be disqualified at British Comedy Guide's discretion.
  11. Ten (10) entries will be reviewed in detail by Expectation Entertainment Ltd with a view to providing feedback to three entrants. No guarantee of development, option, or commission is offered. Any opportunity to engage further with Expectation will be offered at their discretion and may require the entrant to sign a waiver.
  12. British Comedy Guide reserves the right to alter the terms of this contest and/or the duration of the entry window at its discretion.
  13. This opportunity is being run by British Comedy Guide. Expectation Entertainment may already be involved in any number of projects bearing similarity to ideas that may be reflected in entries to this competition. Neither British Comedy Guide nor Expectation Entertainment can undertake to compensate entrants if material similar to that submitted, received coincidentally from another source, is subsequently commissioned or produced.
  14. All entries are covered by British Comedy Guide's privacy policies. By entering this opportunity you are granting permission for British Comedy Guide to share your name, contact details and submission with Expectation.
  15. British Comedy Guide and Expectation Entertainment are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible or misdirected submissions, which will be disqualified.