|
Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran talk comedy
This Sunday, experienced comedy writers Laurence Marks & Maurice Gran (Birds Of A Feather, Goodnight Sweatheart, The New Statesman) will be speaking about their career and offering tips at a British Comedy Society event marking 35 years of their writing partnership. Details
|
|
MADE TV is looking for sketches to broadcast
The MADE Television network (which operates in Leeds, Tyne and Wear, Bristol and Newcastle) is looking for video sketches which it can broadcast on its new TV show, The Purple Pigeon. Read
|
|
Sitcom Geeks podcast
This new podcast series sees top writers James Cary and Dave Cohen talking about sitcom writing. Lots of insight and tips to ingest. The latest two episodes feature Black Books writers Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley as guests. Listen
|
|
Gag writer? If so, get on Howler
Howler is a fun new joke-based website and app. Basically, someone posts a 'setup' and then the community suggest punchlines. The public then vote on the best lines. Have a go at writing a gag, it's free: Howler
|
|
Newsjack
Hopefully everyone is aware of this great opportunity by now, but just to check: Newsjack is the Radio 4 Extra topical sketch show that anyone can write for. The new series is now on air, so get submitting. BBC Writersroom
|
|
Writing 'Boy Meets Girl'
Elliott Kerrigan talks about his experiences of making new BBC Two sitcom Boy Meets Girl and the people he's met along the way. BBC Writersroom
|
|
Julie Bower talks about creating sitcom So Awkward
Julie Bower, the creator of CBBC sitcom So Awkward (which recently finished its run, but will return for a second series), talks about how the show was developed. Read
|
|
Filming 'Phillip Human'
One for those interested in directing: The creators behind web series Phillip Human (which is aiming for a vlogging style look) explain how they tried to disguise they were using an expensive Sony F5 camera. YouTube
|
|
Netflix is busy
A sobering fact for those hoping that Netflix is going to be an outlet for their work: "Netflix receives around 500 TV proposals a day from US and UK producers."
|
|
How to make it in TV publicity
Want to enter the world of TV PR? UKTV's Kerry Parker has some advice in this video filmed by RTS: YouTube
|
|
Byte Stories
This new website has been set up to allow people to share short stories. There's a 250 word limit. They're looking for more comic submissions from the UK. It's free to join, so if you fancy penning a tale: bytestories.com
|
|
Fishbowl: Why a great creative team is important
Andrew Mettam, the writer behind BBC sitcom pilot Fishbowl, explains how creating a good TV comedy show involves a team effort - you may have a good script, but you need all the various production departments working with you too. Read
|
|
Comedy International Conference
One for those who work on the business side of live comedy: The sixth Comedy International Conference will take place at the Pleasance Theatre in London on Thursday 8th October 2015. Details
|
|
BBC Screenplay First Award
The BBC is looking for original ideas from UK writers with previous credits in theatre, TV or radio but who have yet to have a feature film produced. BBC Writersroom
|
|
Raindance Web Pilot competition
Raindance Web Fest are hosting a web series pilot competition to find future talent. The winning pilot will win a £2500 award. You need to act really quick to enter, the deadline is tomorrow. Raindance
|
|
BAFTA Rocliffe Film Script Showcase
Another tight deadline: The entry window for The BAFTA Rocliffe Film Script Showcase closes on Monday 14th September. BAFTA
|
|
Behind the Scenes on 'A League of Their Own'
Interested in working on a studio-based entertainment show? If so, this 11 minute behind-the-scenes video on the set of Sky's panel show A League Of Their Own is packed with insight and advice from people in various roles. YouTube
|
|
P.G. Wodehouse award
To tie in with a book launch, the website Chortle is running a writing competition. They're after a 500-1,000 word comic short story or extract, and the prize is a place on a writing course. Chortle
|
|
Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival
Want to perform at Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival in February? If so, you have 21 days to get your application in. You can find full details on how to take part in the festival on the dedicated website for performers: Details
|
|
London Comedy Film Festival 2016
The LOCO London Comedy Film Festival will be back for its fifth year at BFI Southbank next year, with new dates and a new programming strategy. The festival is looking for comedy films with 'brains, heart and courage'. The deadline is 30th November. Details: locofilmfestival.com
|
|
NATYS 2016
The New Acts Of The Year competition (which has been running since 1982, previously under the title of the Hackney Empire New Act Of The Year) is now open for entries into its 2016 contest: Entry form
|
|
The Comedian's Comedian Podcast
Stuart Goldsmith continues to delve into the world of comedy via his in-depth podcast interviews. John Lloyd, Katherine Ryan and Justin Moorhouse are amongst those to offer insight recently. Listen
|
|
An article on 'making it' in comedy
We included this in a previous newsletter, but it's worth repeating: Stand-up comedian and live comedy promoter Barry Ferns writes on the topic of what it means to 'make it' in comedy. Think carefully about your end goals. Read
|