Hi Penge
Character breakdowns and a synopsis are good but not necessary.
We'll be judging you on the script, so just make sure the character breakdown and synopsis matches what's on the page. A huge number last year didn't.
Cheers, Declan
The Sitcom Mission 2012 Page 12
This thread is locked. No further replies can be posted.
Quote: Declan @ October 23 2011, 11:54 PM BSTHi Penge
Character breakdowns and a synopsis are good but not necessary.
We'll be judging you on the script, so just make sure the character breakdown and synopsis matches what's on the page. A huge number last year didn't.
Cheers, Declan
Just to expand a little on the above:
We've had scripts where a character is described as 'witty and forceful', then when she appears she stands in a corner hardly saying anything for page after page. Better to have her enter saying something witty (forcefully) then we'll get the point. It's not a bad idea to have your characters do something that expresses the essence of who they are the very first time they appear to orientate the reader.
Just as important (and useful) as a character breakdown on a separate sheet, are brief character descriptions in the body of the script the first time your character appears. We get so many scripts that begin 'Enter X and Y' without any indication whether they're students or pensioners. Make us see what you see.
Quote: Penge @ October 23 2011, 9:52 PM BSTQuick question for Declan and Simon: Last year, along with my script I submitted a few pages giving some background details about the 'world' the sitcom was set in and some pretty brief character profiles. It wasn't necessary but I sent it anyway.
Is it permitted to send similar 'further info' documents for this years Mission or is it now an offence punishable by lashes?
With a whip of some sort. Not eyelashes.
As part of the "additional info" would a 50 pound note be... acceptable? If you get my drift?
Also, can we enter scripts that were entered for the Sitcom Trials?
Quote: evan rubivellian @ October 24 2011, 11:00 AM BSTAlso, can we enter scripts that were entered for the Sitcom Trials?
We don't have a problem with scripts that have been entered for the Sitcom Trials, but the two competitions are looking for such different things that a script would have to be radically rewritten.
We want 15 minute scripts with no limitation on the number of characters-apart from the obvious limitation which is that you need time to clearly establish each one.
We also perform 'off book' so whereas anything can happen in a reading (you just need someone to read the stage directions) we would have to actually stage it. It's easy to read the words 'the zombies approach' out loud, but very hard to persuade actors to play those zombies if they don't have any dialogue.
Have a look at the rules and guidelines on our site.
How many have entered so far guys?
Adding on to what Simon said, we would absolutely encourage you to have your work read out live and, better still, performed in front of a live audience before entering it into The Sitcom Mission. The experience can be scary but there's no better way of knowing whether something works or not. You've then got a chance of rewriting it and improving it before entering it.
Bigfella... that would be telling!
There's three months to go, don't worry about the opposition, make yours brilliant and you don't need to concern yourself with the others.
Quote: simon wright @ October 24 2011, 2:24 PM BSTIt's easy to read the words 'the zombies approach' out loud, but very hard to persuade actors to play those zombies if they don't have any dialogue.
On the other hand, that's a great line of dialogue. Livens up almost any situation. Worked for 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Quote: andyblacksheep @ October 24 2011, 6:45 PM BSTOn the other hand, that's a great line of dialogue. Livens up almost any situation. Worked for 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Hi all
Here's our latest blog https://www.comedy.co.uk/sitcom_mission/blog/
And we've got another Introduction workshop on November 26, details here https://www.comedy.co.uk/sitcom_mission/workshops/2/
Cheers, Declan
Questions for Declan and Simon, Have you been knocked over instantly reading a script entry, thinking it's a winner? If so, has it won, or got close?
Conversely have you unsurely put something through you didn't unaminously agree on only to find it going all the way or nearly all the way?
So have you been surprised by the success or lack of success of some?
And on all those borderline decisions when you're choosing the ones to go through to perform, on what grounds do most of the lucky scripts win out on, do you think? Will it be quality of dialogue, or character, or that it's funnier than others, or that it seems more original or unique than many others, or that it is simply spot on with the rules about duration, stageability, etc.? What qualities may best tip the balance in a close decision, would you say?
Ta.
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ October 27 2011, 1:25 PM BSTWhat qualities may best tip the balance in a close decision, would you say?
Ta.
Apparently attending their sitcom course at £75 a knock helps...
Actually Zed, it's £97 now, the next one's on November 12. The reason we put the price up is so that we can pay the actors. Share the love etc.
And we've got the sitcom reading service available too.
Full details here https://www.comedy.co.uk/sitcom_mission/workshops/1/ and here https://www.comedy.co.uk/sitcom_mission/feedback/
Cheers, Declan
What happens on the feedback options if you don't find anything wrong with the script? 
Quote: Declan @ October 27 2011, 2:21 PM BSTActually Zed, it's £97 now, the next one's on November 12. The reason we put the price up is so that we can pay the actors
Cheers, Declan
Does that mean the £75 one is no good now...?
Nice bit of subliminal advertising there, by the way...
No good? It wasn't good in the first place, it was fantastic.
Marc, if we find nothing wrong with it, we'll probably put it on!
Subliminal? Ah yes, and I can show you how to do it on my Subliminal Advertising in Forum Posts workshop, only £200.