Hello!

Just got in from my meeting in London and I thought I'd give you a bit of an insight so if you get asked down by a producer, you know what to expect.

It was a nerve-racking experience, mainly because I was being looked over by a Bafta and 2 Comedy Awards in the meeting room! Weird stuff.

Both the producer and development head were great, lovely guys who both loved the script and were really positive about it.

They asked a bit about me and my writing, and the producer in particular was complimentary about me as a writer.

They said most of the unsolicited stuff they get - which gets through the net - is shit.

They asked what channel I saw it on, if I'd considered who to cast, and then we discussed ages of characters, sets, jobs.

Basically anything media based is out, even one off plots are frowned upon and it seems the BBC are looking for audience shows for pre-watershed BBC1 and post-BBC2. So there's who to aim for!

One very interesting thing was that they said that layout doesn't REALLY matter as long as it LOOKS like a script. So it doesn't have to be done in that BBC way that the scripts in their archive are.

Then they asked if I wanted to pitch it to the BBC - after my jaw hit the ground I said yes!

He said I should have no problem getting an agent - I was just staggered by all this, of course.

So I'm going to cut it down - it needs to be 40-45 pages, which I didn't know - so that's a good one to remember - then it could well be pitching time.

It was so bizarre talking about something I wrote in my spare time with such gravitas and seriousness.

Then I ate a jacket potato, looked round the big smoke, then came home!

I'm still on a high!
 

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Comedy is the aces.
 

Well done SeeFacts, let us know of any developments, and thanks for sharing your experience
 

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Hola, Wilkommen to le BSG. Proud member of the ESG (European Sitcom Guide)

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Very well done. That all sounds most encouraging and glad it went well.

But as you're on a high, I'll bring you back to more mundane matters so you can sleep tonight - What filling did you have in the jacet potato?

But seriously well done!!! Get trimming and let's see it on goggle box soon.
 

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Go on then! Say something funny! Go on!
 

Hehe -- quality! Well done, mate! Geniunely pleased for you. Good luck with it too; hope you get somewhere and thanks loads for posting.

I've not got as far as this with stuff but have been sat with media types with regards to my stuff (even got a bit recorded as a training exercise with a well-known company) and being referred to as 'the writers' and everyone (producer, director, PAs, etc) running around careful not to 'intrude' or 'offend' your script was bizarrely surreal -- like you said, amazing people take something you do cooped up in your spare time so seriously!

Also, the difference in attitude between saying 'I'm a writer' to 'I'm an IT consultant' was such a measured difference I almost quit the day job due to the reaction!

Dan
 

Quote: Blenkinsop @ February 29, 2008, 7:59 PM

Very well done. That all sounds most encouraging and glad it went well.

But as you're on a high, I'll bring you back to more mundane matters so you can sleep tonight - What filling did you have in the jacet potato?

But seriously well done!!! Get trimming and let's see it on goggle box soon.

View original

Cheese and beans. It was horrible. Really mushy like porridge.

And I ate too many Polos so felt a bit rough after.
 

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Comedy is the aces.
 

I'm made up for you seefacts. Well done mate.
 

Quote: Seefacts @ February 29, 2008, 8:00 PM

Cheese and beans. It was horrible. Really mushy like porridge.

And I ate too many Polos so felt a bit rough after.

View original

Lay off those polos they're no good for you. As a writer you should be on 60 tabs a day and 3 bottles of brandy.
 

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Go on then! Say something funny! Go on!
 

He is! That's why he needed the polos
 

Thats great news!
 

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Dear Providence has you all in his sights.
 

Congratulations you've made it. May that foul potato be the worst bit of the experience.
 

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The ASDA of satire.
"Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you."� Which is exactly what happened to Winston Smith. His rebellion was not one that was foolish and too outspoken. He silently tried to defeat the Party for his personal happiness, and in the end it cost him everything he had fought for, and his love for Julia. He had learned to love Big Brother, which was his ultimate fear when trying to live a life of individuality. The Party had defeated him.

1984
 

Thanks for sharing your experience and tips. All the best with your project, hope it all works out, must be very exciting.
 

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www.myspace.com/electricchurchexperience
 

Quote: sootyj @ February 29, 2008, 8:13 PM

Congratulations you've made it. May that foul potato be the worst bit of the experience.

View original

Well, there's a long way to go yet - but it's certainly a foot in the door.
 

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Comedy is the aces.
 

Look your on the next level, if you got knock backed at this stage, its a budget or lack of vision thing on the production side of things.
 

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The ASDA of satire.
"Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you."� Which is exactly what happened to Winston Smith. His rebellion was not one that was foolish and too outspoken. He silently tried to defeat the Party for his personal happiness, and in the end it cost him everything he had fought for, and his love for Julia. He had learned to love Big Brother, which was his ultimate fear when trying to live a life of individuality. The Party had defeated him.

1984
 

What a great experience, it sounds really positive. Good luck with the cutting down and fingers crossed with the next stage.


 

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Not now Arthur.
 

Wow fantastic! I look forward to being able to write a guide about your show for this website (that's when you know you've really made it )
 

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Mark
BSG Editor