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Looking for Prod Co Cover Letter Template

Our sitom is basically ready to go out into the big wide world and we're about to draft a covering letter to send to the prod co's. Now, reading around I have heard talk that, like almost everything else in this game, the letter has to be written a particular way.

Sadly, despite my searching, I cannot find a template/example of what should be in this letter. I would think it probably needs to say things like, here is our sitcom, our experience/other work is X, here is a brief synopsis, Many thanks, End...

Can anyone point me in the direction where I can see a letter template or a good example of what the covering letter should have? Or any advice for what it should contain or particular ways it should be written, would be most helpful.

Thanks in advance...

Def.

A brief outline of future episodes would be good.

Thanks Ray, I do have the outline of series 1 and further episode ideas for a series 2. I was going to attach these to the cover letter. Most probably...

Def.

I always start with Dear sir/rejecting bastard

This is personal preference but The Slagg Brothers always do:

[Title] by [Writers]

Followed by basic intro:
Hi, we're the [Name of writer(s), winners of ... [put a simple attention grabber here to convince the reader you're serious in aspiration but don't over-complicate - see below.] We have a [put format here e.g. 30-minute sitcom] that we think will interest you.

One-sentence pitch:
Brief and summing up premise in essence. It needn't be funny but gripping. Make the reader want to know more.

A brief paragraph expanding the one-sentence pitch:
Again, concise is the key. You want them to get to the script as fast as possible. That'll be the thing that does your hard sell.

Some people include characters after the pitch but I think extra detail and conveying character is the job of the script not a cover letter / proposal. If they haven't been hooked by the pitch above, the characters are probably not going to interest them either.

A brief outline of future episodes, one sentence each and funny.

At the very end put a biog of the writers, if needs must. But the sad truth is NO-ONE out there (producer / script-reader / audience) cares a single thing about the writer until the script has done its job. Only then will they say: "Who are these guys? Can I work wih them?" If your C.V. is impressive or long, just put down the key points because whether you're a BAFTA winner, or a first-time writer, the script will be in the bin by the fifth page if it fails to grab.

Be careful to thank the reader at the end. They're doing us the favour.

;) :)

That’s quite good slag A. A little long winded for me though. Being a Yorkshire man I like to get to point a little quicker.

Hey up cock.
I’ve sent thi a sitcom. It’s piss funny, please enclose a cheque with the acceptance letter. Ta flower.

Dear sir (for want of a better term),

I've been told your head is right up your arse but even so I'm sending you my sitcom. It's so funny you won't dare reject it or you'll be the laughing stock of the industry. Once my feet are under the table and I've got a bit of power, I should watch it if I were you twat. Anyway, I'll be round your office Tuesday.

Yours sincerely,

Jerf

Laughing out loud

Why would they want to know that I won a tenner in the lottery?

Quote: Rob B @ January 20, 2008, 2:36 PM

I always start with Dear sir/rejecting bastard

Laughing out loud

Quote: SlagA @ January 20, 2008, 2:45 PM

the script will be in the bin by the fifth page if it fails to grab.

;) :)

You think they read that much?

Quote: David Chapman @ January 20, 2008, 7:33 PM


You think they read that much?

Today, I'm optimistic in mood.

Quote: ContainsNuts @ January 20, 2008, 7:23 PM

Why would they want to know that I won a tenner in the lottery?

Coz then they can tap YOU up for the bus fare home, and not vice versa.

Quote: SlagA @ January 20, 2008, 7:45 PM

Coz then they can tap YOU up for the bus fare home, and not vice versa.

I liked the sound of them before, but now! I don't even take the bus! How can anyone break into this industry!!

Quote: Ray Dawson @ January 20, 2008, 2:55 PM

That’s quite good slag A. A little long winded for me though. Being a Yorkshire man I like to get to point a little quicker.

Hey up cock.
I’ve sent thi a sitcom. It’s piss funny, please enclose a cheque with the acceptance letter. Ta flower.

Laughing out loud

"Dear sir,

I know where you live..."

Take it from there finish with.

"Thank you for your time, enclosed are naked pictures of my 8 year old son."

>_< Laughing out loud

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