Joanna Tilley

Joanna Tilley is a tried and tested woman who has been learning the craft of comedy writing and performing over the last decade, alongside working as a journalist. She has written for the BBC, the Evening Standard, Al Jazeera English, Sky Sports News, The Big Issue and TNT travel magazines. She recently worked as a reporter for TV trade publication Broadcast where she expanded her contacts with producers and commissioners, and found out what they are looking for in their scripts and projects.

Alongside her journalism work, Joanna is part of a sketch group and has performed at four Camden Fringe festivals. She performs stand-up, writes gags for UK Greeting Card companies and regularly contributes sketches to The Release The Clowns podcast. In 2018, she wrote, produced and directed a pilot episode of her sitcom Old. She is also a consultant for the largest community of independent comedy creators, The Comedy Crowd.

Joanna Tilley's Script Consultancy works with writers to develop their female characters and storylines. Whether a writer is trying to nail down a female protagonist or build a world from scratch, Joanna will offer her feedback over 40 minute Zoom sessions. The service is currently Pay What You Can, and Joanna is happy to collaborate on sketches, short stories, sitcoms, radio sitcoms, web series, film scripts and plays.

Joanna understands the long and often lonely development process writers have to go through and wants to have some fun while providing her tips of the trade. She also believes scripts are more likely to be produced if they have had detailed and professional feedback from several people. Whilst Joanna will focus on the female elements of your work, she will also offer general advice, and is happy to discuss with writers the best way to pitch the project. After working amongst producers and commissioners at Broadcast, Joanna has insider knowledge when it comes to what gets TV execs excited.

Services

Joanna Tilley's Script Consultancy

Joanna Tilley works with writers who want to further develop their female characters and storylines.

Testimonials

"Joanna's insights made me consider things I hadn’t before and also confirm problems I thought I had within my script. I had fun chatting and bouncing ideas around with her and would definitely use her service again. A major concern I had with my script was that my female characters weren’t active enough in the humour. Joanna gave me possible solutions without dictating what I should do, which is exactly what I was hoping for." Robbie Sunderland, Comedy Writer.

"Joanna pointed out both the issues I suspected were there, and other ones I had no idea about. She's given me a concise list of points to think through and change to make the sitcom better. It was so good to have a different set of eyes read it, point out its weaknesses but also remind me what was good about it. Her notes will definitely make the sitcom much better and I look forward to sending the next draft to see what she'll raise." James Watts, Comedy Writer.

"Joanna is very knowledgeable and her insights are very astute. Her feedback improved my work enormously - and she does this in a very friendly, encouraging and supportive way. Writing is a solitary activity and Joanna's extra set of eyes are much appreciated." Adrian Eley, Comedy Writer.

"Joanna has edited early drafts of my novels and scripts and her insights have proven invaluable. She has a real eye for the essence of a story and a devilish sense of humour." Polly Courtney, Author of Golden Handcuffs.

"I have known Jo since 2013, and we have been performing together as part of a sketch group since then. She has a really great feel for characters and has a wicked sense of humour. Now I've started having a crack at longer form, Jo is one of the first people I turn to for feedback on characters, plotting and how well jokes land." Neil Benson, Comedy Writer and Performer.