BCG Pro Newsletter |
Friday 21st February 2020 |
Whether you're a writer, performer or producer (or a multi-hyphenate covering all those bases), here's the latest news and features we think you'll be interested in...
The Big Comedy Conference 2020
Our conference for writers grows closer by the day. We'll be announcing some great speakers shortly, including the writer of one of Britain's most-loved sitcoms, a Radio 4 sitcom regular, and the creator of an award-winning recent show.
The ticket price goes up on 1st March, so make sure you've booked to attend! It'll be a day packed with insight, networking, and practical advice about writing for online, radio and television in Britain.
BCG Pro Production Award
Don't forget that if you've made a video sketch, short film or audio production (like a podcast) you're proud of, you can submit it to our Production Awards. We'll be announcing our line-up of judges soon; together they've made some of the UK's most-watched and listened to comedy shows.
Networking Events
We're planning networking events around the UK for BCG Pro members: if you haven't already, please do head to the website to let us know which cities you'd be up for meeting in.
At the moment, it looks like we'll be starting in Manchester, followed by events in Brighton and Edinburgh. We'll go wherever there's demand! We'd also love to know if you'd prefer a weekday or weekend evening.
Opportunities Hub 
BBC Studios is looking for a new radio and podcast producer. Find out about that, and all the other jobs, competitions and events we know about, by signing into our Opportunities Hub.
Sitcom Geeks
On the latest episode of their podcast, Dave Cohen and James Cohen - following on from their observations from having read more than 60 scripts for their Script Challenge (congratulations to winner Peter C Hayward) - talk about how to move your script forward.
Interview with Just The Tonic founder Darrell Martin
Just The Tonic founder Darrell Martin talks about what it's like to run a comedy club chain in this exclusive interview with us. It includes some tips for comedians on how to get noticed by club bookers.
Writing for Newsjack: Tips from two script editors
Newsjack script editors Ed Amsden and Tom Coles give some tips for how to get your stuff on the show in this amusing article, written especially for BCG Pro members.
ITV comedy boss Saskia Schuster exits
Some industry news for you: ITV's comedy boss Saskia Schuster is leaving the broadcaster to work for production company Fulwell 73.
The Dos and Don'ts of Podcasting from Release The Clowns
Nick Hildred and Alex Marion from Release The Clowns Sketch Comedy Podcast offer some really great tips on setting up and maintaining a comedy podcast. You'd be wise to follow their sensible advice.
BBC Script Library
With Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton back on our screens delivering some masterful plots and dialogue in Inside No. 9 (pictured), it's probably a good time to remind you that you can access some of their previous scripts, alongside various other comedies, in BBC Writersroom.
Making movies with friends
Director Jay Stern talks about making low-budget independent feature Say My Name with friends including screenwriter Deborah Frances-White.
Comedian's Comedian Podcast
In the latest episode of this in-depth interview podcast series, Seann Walsh talks about how he strove for authenticity, despite the looming feeling that something was missing from his TV career.
Production Registry
BCG Pro members who have our business package (you can upgrade via your account, if you want all these features too) can access Production Registry, our unique database giving a snapshot of what is being made. We've just added some more records: we now have details on 156 TV, radio and online projects.
Showcase
Speed Dating
BCG Pro member Bartek Calka collaborated with others to make this sketch for Valentine's Day the other week, which he released via The Toot YouTube channel. It features various characters giving monologues to camera.
Comedy Casebook: Stewart Wright
Actor Stewart Wright, who plays PC Mark Mylow in Doc Martin, and has been in shows such as I Want My Wife Back, Wild West and films like Bridget Jones's Diary, is one of our latest BCG Pro members. Find out more about him via his Comedy Casebook interview.
Thanks for reading
Every day, seven days a week, we work really hard to compile everything going on into an email we send at noon each day. If that sounds like something you'd like to receive you can subscribe here as a BCG Pro member.
A reminder of another BCG Pro service, open to all our members as part of the subscription fee (nothing extra to pay): Consult BCG. We'll aim to help you with any comedy-related questions or problems you have. For example, at the moment we're assisting a comedian with refining their show marketing, and offering advice to a writer on the best place to pitch their script to.
If you haven't yet joined BCG Pro but are thinking of it, do be aware that our lifetime discount ends on the 1st April. Find out more about joining.
British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
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