BCG Pro Newsletter |
Friday 10th May 2019 |
Here's our latest round-up of news and insight for those who make comedy. To access the content with a 
icon next to it you'll need to join BCG Pro. There are many more reasons to subscribe beyond viewing our exclusive content: from curating your CV to accessing exclusive databases, we've packed Pro with functionality.
If you've ever had material broadcast on Newsjack, please make sure you scroll to the bottom to read about that.
Running short of time? BCG Pro members have been praising Steve Nelson's interview for being filled to the brim with useful info, so don't miss that.
News and features
NextUp launches bursary to film stand-up specials
Comedy streaming service NextUp has launched a special bursary to broaden the range of comedians available on their platform.
Mark Talbot leaves Hat Trick for Beano
Hat Trick's Head of Comedy Development has joined Beano Studios.
Getting Comedy On The Radio
A podcast discussion about how to get your ideas heard on the radio.
Janine Harouni and Helen Bauer win 99 Club bursary 2019
Janine Harouni and Helen Bauer were the comedians selected at the 99 Club's 2019 Female & Non-Binary Comedy Bursary showcase.
The Secret Reviewer #2: Joke Fatigue
Every month our clandestine critic reveals the murky truths behind that infamous trade, and live comedy generally. This month: Why comedy reviewers often seem to hate jokes.
Developing Sitcoms
A panel discussion in which Andrew Ellard, Vicki Pepperdine, Simon Nye and Tom Edge discuss creating situation comedies.
Steve Nelson: Creating a sitcom for Audible
Steve Nelson talks about what it's like to make a sitcom for Audible Originals. Along the way he offers tips on structuring a show and how to write a treatment.
Jokes without words
A podcast discussion about dialogue-free comedy. Julian Dutton, Mark Burton and Mellie Buse discuss how to script visual comedy gags.
Help with anxiety about improvising
Steve Roe, director of Hoopla Impro, discusses how performers can deal with anxiety in relation to performing improvised comedy.
BAFTA Breakthrough Brits open for applications
Applications are now open for the BAFTA Breakthrough Brits scheme.
Sitcom Geeks talks to BBC's Gareth Edwards
BBC executive producer Garth Edwards talks to the Sitcom Geeks podcast about the importance of a good pitch, the problem with treatments, translating notes, and more.
Did you know you can do these things in BCG Pro?
Comedy Casebook
BCG Pro Emerging/Gold members: were you aware you can publish an interview about yourself and your work? Complete your answers and publish instantly by finding the Comedy Casebook option in BCG Pro's My CV section. From next newsletter, we'll start showcasing some of these in this newsletter.
Opportunities Hub
BCG Pro members can access Opportunities Hub, a list of events, competitions, and more. As a BCG Pro member, you can post your own opportunity instantly too - either offer your skills to others, or find people to help you on your project. We know from our inbox that a fair number of you are looking but nervous about making the first jump, but do dive in!
BlackBook
BCG Pro's BlackBook is full of data. We're not sure everyone has discovered the 'Data Search' option in there yet. For example, there's a tool to help you check if your episode titles are unique.
Attention: Newsjack Writers
Have you ever written for Newsjack?
British Comedy Guide has credits for all 121 episodes of Newsjack - the only place you can find complete credits. However, for many episodes, we've had to get the list of writers by just listening to the end credits. This means we've had to guess some spellings!
If you've ever written for Newsjack, please help us out by...
1. Visiting our People Guides
2. Search for your name
3. Check your People Guide has all your credits on it
4. If you can't find yourself or if episodes are missing from your list on there, we may have a typo - please let us know!
Did you know? If you join BCG Pro Emerging you can add biography details, contact details, photos, additional credits and more to your People Guide.
Project Spotlight
Scumbags
Scumbags is a comedy project from BCG Pro member Chris J Windle. As he tells us: "Scumbags is a new crime sitcom set in Essex. No fake tans or white stilettos here, just plenty of dodgy birds and geezers!"
It's set around four friends in their late twenties who have grown up together in Basildon. When the pilot was uploaded, Chris was able to capitalise publicity-wise on headlines based around the furore of local residents. He pointed out to newspapers at the time: "We are not saying everybody in Basildon is a scumbag!"
Chris has now written and produced a follow-up episode, and is now working on developing his format further. Recently he and his team filmed a series of short sketches involving the characters.
Thanks for reading
Quote of the week: "We got 2,728 scripts in total and are already busy reading" - BBC Writersroom, reporting on their recent submission window.
We're beginning to plan where we might hold our first BCG Pro networking events, so if you're a subscriber please sign in and let us know your networking preferences.
Have a great weekend,
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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