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The Sketch Project
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
The Sketch Project is finally here! You can use this forum to ask questions about the project, make suggestions etc etc but...
Please don't post any sketches yet - the submission/voting bit starts in a couple of weeks time when everyone is registered - if you post a sketch now then you will get zero votes (as there's no voting buttons yet!).
Find more information and register your intention to take part via the official project webpage: www.sitcom.co.uk/writers/project
You need to press the button on the above page to be in the project so make sure you do that!
Here's a reminder of the main 'rules':
You will be able to submit up to 3 sketches but each must be no longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds.
The voting stage will involve other writers donating their time to read your work, so please help them by ensuring your work is spell-checked, reasonably grammatical, that care has been taken over similar sounding words (we're .v. were / their .v. there .v. they're etc) and that your work is reasonably neat (name tags and action in capitals, with dialogue in lower case on the line directly beneath the character's name). The keyword is 'reasonable'. Take reasonable care. Sloppy, lazy, or error-laden work will unfortunately be rejected.
If you have any questions about formatting / spelling etc post a question in this forum or take a look at the sample script which can be viewed here
Remember that the aim is to film a pilot or part of a pilot so please try and visualise your sketch. Keep to a few simple props, keep the scenes basic (a lounge / a kitchen / a bedroom / a park etc), try to avoid scene changes, limit the number of characters. We'll probably end up with 2 men and 2 women but we may end up with less. So if you want your sketch filmed don't send the one about the London Philharmonic touring Venus!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Scott Evans said:
Most of my sketches are generally short and involve minimal amounts of people so no probs with guide lines.
1.Has any themes been set up to write around or is it an open sketch show and the material can be anything you like?
Here is an idea I put out on another thread which may be useful as a theme to tie show together, its title The Secret News and bascially it is a crew filming the weird going on's of a small village but sometimes it isn't exciting enough and they make things happen. Being a sketch show you could just have a scene at the start and end to establish this theme and the rest could run in a normal sketch format? Just an idea to throw into the hat.
2.In was once mentioned very early on in the development of this idea about the idea of filming sketches to accompany the finished script/pilot proposal, has any more been thought about this?
3.Sometimes I am not on this site every day (though I do check in quite regularly) but my work can keep me busy and my mind off of this on going project so is there anyway of informing members by a email bullentin about when the sketch submission/voting scheme goes live?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
1. I'm pretty sure that there's no theme, but I'm sure SlagA will clarify.
2. "Remember that the aim is to film a pilot or part of a pilot..."
3. I'm sure that e-mails will be sent to those who have registered.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Can I ask who will be filming the pilot? Will you hire actors? Is there any budget? I'm guessing you'll release this info later, but it don't hurt to ask.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Do you have any actors? I might know a few - and what about cameramen/women?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
All to be decided much further down the line. (I.e. if and when a usable script is completed.)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Will you remind us when this opens or is it open now?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
The registration is open now - the submission process will open in a couple of weeks (we've got to build the voting etc first). If you've pressed the button on that registration page you'll get the full details through email (or something like that) when its open 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Charley said:
Believe it or not, I can actualy act. I got accepted into RADA then cosequently got into trouble (Up the ol duff)Obviously I would audition first and I would not want paid.
Also know a few fellow actors who do stuff for fun. It doesn't have to cost.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Has a theme been decided yet or is it free style? I'll start writing some sketches now, but I need an idea of what you're looking for.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ginger Jesus said:
it's freestyle at the mo Leemondo
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Scott Evans said:
I did suggest the secret news, all the sketches can be what they want but the thin thread that links it is a group of news people trying to make their regional news more interesting by spying on the secret lives of a fictional town
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Gavin said:
LOL Scott thats a class idea
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
You suggest that idea for everything.
But maybe something like a tv channel, something like The Fast Show, which I believe was meant to be like someone channel surfing.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Scott Evans said:
LOL Levil, cos its a damn good idea.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
News?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Yeah, nothing's happened for weeks.
Anyone would think this was one of Leevil's projects.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Lol! 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Michael Monkhouse said:
Hope to get involved next time around.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
I don't think sign ups have closed Michael, could be wrong though?
http://www.sitcom.co.uk/writers/project/
At the bottom there should be a register button.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I can't even remember if I've registered...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
If you got to the bottom of the page it should say, You have already registered or something to that effect.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ah.
I have.
Thanks!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jude said:
I`ve just clicked the clicky button too.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Paul W said:
Still waiting for various areas of the site to be updated... I agree it's taking along time.
Who wants to play hide and seek?!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
You hide and I'll Seek. Then when I find you, I'll let you know whether I want to play.
Sorry, that's not funny at all. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Charley said:
Quote: paul watson @ July 2, 2007, 11:00 AMStill waiting for various areas of the site to be updated... I agree it's taking along time.
Who wants to play hide and seek?!
View original
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 . Coming.
Yessssssssssssssssss!
Fankoo for that.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Paul W said:
Quote: earman2009 @ July 2, 2007, 7:42 PMYou hide and I'll Seek. Then when I find you, I'll let you know whether I want to play.
Sorry, that's not funny at all.
View original
At least you tried
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Charlie Adams said:
Quote: Michael Monkhouse @ June 10, 2007, 5:11 PMHope to get involved next time around.
View original
Michael, people who haven't been born yet will have time to get involved in this gig.
No disrespect to the committee intended.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Charlie Adams @ July 3, 2007, 5:57 PMMichael, people who haven't been born yet will have time to get involved in this gig.
No disrespect to the committee intended.
View original
None taken - after all, we will all be dead by the time this gets going so the complaints will add interest to an otherwise boring day in heaven (note: I can't speak for the others as to where they'll end up when they're dead. I'm blatantly going to heaven though
).In all seriousness, a note to everyone: the hold up is due to myself and Aaron, sorry! The excuse is we're a little busy
I don't think many people are aware that we both have full time jobs and so can only make changes in our spare time.I'm currently putting all my time into preparing for the launch of www.comedy.org.uk (you would not believe how much work that is) and Aaron is spending his time updating the forum code so that the sketch project can be supported. Plus of course there is an existing website and forum to keep updated and moderated on top of that.
I'm personally really looking forward to launching the sketch project but I think you'll all agree it is best to wait until we're properly ready to help maximise the chance of this being a success. I don't think it is wise to kick this off without the forum being ready, the impending disruption of the server move etc etc
If it is of any consolation we should be ready to go by the end of August I hope!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Croydesponger said:
Cool ... time to write a couple of lines then.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Winterlight said:
Why could the submissions be no longer than 90 seconds? I can't think of a single sketch show which only has sketches that short. Even The Fast Show had sketches which were upto 3 minutes long!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Didn't have 100 people writing it, with only about 6 people running it.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Winterlight said:
I still don't see why that meant the sketches would have to be no longer than 90 seconds.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
Wait a minute and I'll explain.. oh, half a mo..
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Quote: Winterlight @ September 16, 2007, 4:21 PMI still don't see why that meant the sketches would have to be no longer than 90 seconds.
View original
I think really that's an average. Also it's to get as many a chance as possible. If you do one 25 minutes it only leaves about 2 for everyone elae.
Yes - that's an exaggeration but I think you'll understand what I mean. Really they're as long as they have to be and sometimes you'll find you could edit out a load of unneccesary crap.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
If I take all the unnecessary crap out of my sketches there'll not be much left!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, fatbloke said:
They say the short & sweet ones are the best, sometimes without dialogue even.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wildjesusfishkid said:
This was all voted on and discussed several months ago Winter. The project has been in the offing since Feb' 07.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Quote: Frankie Rage @ September 16, 2007, 8:23 PMIf I take all the unnecessary crap out of my sketches there'll not be much left!
View original
LOL
Sorry - I didn't mean it to sound that harsh!