Just joined this thread and one thing I reckon we need, regardless of theme, is that they're written for a set cast. Think of sketch shows at present -- they have a set cast ie. three men, three women. So we'd need ground rules to not exceed that. Think Man/Woman, Swinging, etc.

Dan
 

I think we need the 'Bacon and Herring' thread now. If you want I can make one with a summary in it of what we have said then we can get that pinned to the top of the board and take it from there. I'll make the thread by tomorrow at the very latest.
 

Good man, Tom. I hope noone objects.
 

I think that this is a crap idea!

What a lot of nonsense..........................!!

Only joking guys.

I'd be happy to contribute in some capacity both as writer and organiser / helper-outer / team member etc. etc.
 

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Go on then! Say something funny! Go on!
 

My, theres been a lot of action in this thread since I last posted! Think the idea of just getting some sketches together to start with, rather than throwing around things like themes and number of actors, etc, would be advisable. Learn to walk before you can run and all that.
 

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www.myspace.com/mvstott

 

I agree but this is awfully exciting, don't you agree!

 

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I joined this late.
I liked the original idea of keeping it as short as possible. Mine are often four lines of dialogue split between two people because I hate sketches that really outstay their welcome. I'm totally behind Mark's no padding ethos.

What if all sketches had to fall in at under 60 seconds or so many words.

This 60 second rule could be a theme and a neat way of making us all think of the shortest way to the payoffs. A suggested title could be: 60 seconds (or variations like 'One minute wonders' etc) to go in to the hat with other titles put forward so far. Bacon and Herring has too much association with Lee and Herring in my mind.

The voting idea is neat but I'm worried that solicitation may occur - "I'll vote for you, if you vote for moi." We need at the outset to think of a way that will clear us all of the finger of suspicion. What if each writer subs four or five and their highest voted sketch goes in regardless. This will even out the honours, make everyone involved, ensure only each writer's best is forwarded and avoids the situation where people feel aggreived at the share. The highest placed second and thirds (depending on number of writers in pool) then get in through another secret vote based on popularity.

Advantage, in my mind, all get one sketch, the better sketches will also make it through.

Ideally get enough to make a pilot then get the pilot made (20-40 if we go for the minute or less idea). I think a script has a harder chance than a DVD, no matter how shitty the DVD.

I'd tend to avoid sketches that are related to topical events as by the time compilation is due, they'll have passed the sell-by date.
 

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Ah, welcome Mr Slagg, we've been expecting you.
 

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Quote: SlagA @ January 30, 2007, 6:20 PM

I joined this late.
I liked the original idea of keeping it as short as possible. Mine are often four lines of dialogue split between two people because I hate sketches that really outstay their welcome. I'm totally behind Mark's no padding ethos.

What if all sketches had to fall in at under 60 seconds or so many words.

This 60 second rule could be a theme and a neat way of making us all think of the shortest way to the payoffs. A suggested title could be: 60 seconds (or variations like 'One minute wonders' etc) to go in to the hat with other titles put forward so far. Bacon and Herring has too much association with Lee and Herring in my mind.

View original

I just think, why not let people just put stuff forward, let stuff flow. If a sketch goes on too long then it won't be picked, if it isn't punchy enough then it won't be voted for. There's nothing wrong with a sketch over 60 seconds if it's done right

Quote: SlagA @ January 30, 2007, 6:20 PM

The voting idea is neat but I'm worried that solicitation may occur - "I'll vote for you, if you vote for moi." We need at the outset to think of a way that will clear us all of the finger of suspicion. What if each writer subs four or five and their highest voted sketch goes in regardless. This will even out the honours, make everyone involved, ensure only each writer's best is forwarded and avoids the situation where people feel aggreived at the share. The highest placed second and thirds (depending on number of writers in pool) then get in through another secret vote based on popularity.

Advantage, in my mind, all get one sketch, the better sketches will also make it through.

View original

That's fine but it could also mean that if someone's best is well below par (this is hyperthetical) then it will still be put in. I'd like to think we were all adult enough to vote properly without corruption and that if we didn't get in it wouldn't be taken personall. If you think it's really a problem then scripts could even be submitted anonymously, but I should hope for the sake of the forum that that isn't necessary.

Quote: SlagA @ January 30, 2007, 6:20 PM

Ideally get enough to make a pilot then get the pilot made (20-40 if we go for the minute or less idea). I think a script has a harder chance than a DVD, no matter how shitty the DVD.

View original

Like I've said in previous posts, my leaning is still towards scripts, that is what producers expect and their job is to see the potential in the writing so they shouldn't need footage really. But as most people want to film this stuff, it has to look as near to pro as poss, proper editing, sound etc, otherwise a producer could be drawing prejudices before he has even heard the first gag. But this aspect is way in the future

Quote: SlagA @ January 30, 2007, 6:20 PM

I'd tend to avoid sketches that are related to topical events as by the time compilation is due, they'll have passed the sell-by date.

View original

That's a good point

 

I think SLAGAs idea of trying to keep the sketches short and punchy is a good one, then there will be a lot of material in each episode and if any fall flat then theyre not outstaying their welcome; therell be something better along in a minute.
 

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www.myspace.com/mvstott

 

Tom I really am not been nasty here but SlagA has a lot more experience in these area's compared to you and what he said made sense. Any writer can work within a 60 second limit its not hard, if you have a 90 second sketch skim it down. (cut the fat off it)

As for the DVD thing again he's right, a producer would much rather watch someone performing a sketch rather than reading the script for it. (helped the office off the ground). As a performed piece also gets past the script readers etc etc.

As for the voting system, I'm not even going to bother voting's voting.

Look Slag I'm learning what you told me! what the hells a sketch?
 

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"My body is a temple, it's just my temple happens to have a fully stocked bar and a KFC" - Paul Watson

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THIS IS A VERY GOOD IDEA.

Some-one needs to run with this a little and see what evolves
 

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Naturally sparkling? I've never seen a fizzy river.
 

No need to explain Paul, I wouldn't have thought you were being nasty, it's just differences of opinion. No one is arguing or proving anything here, just batting ideas about.
 

60 seconds? ouch whats that like 200 words? why not have some lnger ones and shorter ones for people who write in that style i was tihnking about 500 words

Quote: Tom Pk @ January 30, 2007, 6:55 PM

There's nothing wrong with a sketch over 60 seconds if it's done right

View original

true like
 

These are all valid points and let's face it guys, the last thing I want to see is a Catherine Tate overwrite. 60 seconds is good but I think the framework could cater for the few submissions that run up to 120 seconds over. We'll just how to see how things pan out.

There has to be allowances too for discretion in the script edit. It's an accepted practice. If a script is good but it's felt by the script editor/s that it's overrunning then it will serve no purpose for the writer to pick up his quill and throw a paddy. C'mon, be honest, who amongst us hasn't had work abridged in a script edit?

All credit to the Slagg’s for finally throwing their lot in as it wouldn’t have been the same without them.

 

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'To Be or Not To be, Innit - A Yoof-Speak Guide to Shakespeare' is now out!
To find out more go to www.yoofspeak.net

Buy direct from Waterstones
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=6198374
or Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0755210824/comedyguide-21/

The dodo died. Then Dodi died, Di died and Dando died... Dido must be pooing herself.