BCG Pro Newsletter

Opportunities Hub

It's a dream job for many: BBC Studios is looking to hire a new in-house comedy writer. Details on that, and other new opportunities (including a forthcoming Zoom session offering tips on applying for that job), can be found through our custom-built directory. Our Hub is also a great place to be reminded of deadlines - for example the radio-based Funny Dot Comp, which closes in January.

How to pitch TV comedy: Iain Coyle

From starting out as Jonathan Ross's tea boy to writing for Shooting Stars to becoming Head of Comedy Entertainment at UKTV, Iain Coyle details the unconventional and serendipitous road he took and how you can successfully pitch your comedy projects. A highly recommended read: there's some incredibly useful, insightful advice in this piece.

Video Contest

Christian Jegard is the November winner of our Video Contest - check out his Stay Inside music video. It'll soon be time to pick another winner for December, so if you haven't already, enter a video now.

Sitcom Geeks

Victoria Wood's biographer Jasper Rees is the latest guest on the Sitcom Geeks podcast. He talks about her advice to aspiring sitcom writers.

My Comedy Career: Paul Kerensa

To make it full-time in comedy you need to work hard and be adaptable. Stand-up comedian and comedy writer Paul Kerensa's brilliant answers to our My Comedy Career questions really emphasise that point.

Sitcom Mission

Congratulations to those involved in the six scripts that have made it through to the Sitcom Mission 2020 shortlist. You can find out more on the competition's blog.

How to Home-Stream: Bilal Zafar

It's a special Lockdown 2 edition of our home-streaming guide. Bilal Zafar has really thrived online this year, and talks Twitch tips, promo clips, tech essentials and - most importantly - getting interactive.

Mews Films launches to create UK comedy movies

New production company Mews Films has been created to make British comedy movies that focus on under-represented character types.

BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition

Some of our members have let us know how much they enjoy the weekly challenge of coming up with a new gag. If you're not already doing so, why not join them? This week it's a nice wide topic: Films. Get your brain movie-ing: the winner receives a bit of publicity across our social channels, and a modest cash prize.

Comedian's Comedian Podcast

Martin Mor is the latest stand-up comedian to talk to Stuart Goldsmith on his podcast. There're more than 350 discussions to choose from in the ComComPod library now, offering inspiration and advice for everyone, no matter your situation.

Online comedy courses

It's perhaps no surprise our online courses - with all the great feedback they've had - are booking up quickly at the moment. There are still a number of places available though, so take a look through the course we have listed. You'll find options for sitcom, comedy drama, stand-up material, sketch and more. A new session - TV Producer/Commissioner Insights (with Lucy Lumsden) - is coming soon too. Have a browse.

Outside of BCG Pro, you might also be interested in these courses.

How to make a Comedy Video: This beginner's course begins 5th December. Enter the code BCG10 for ten percent off.

Arvon At Home Writing Week: Starts November 30th. Writers aged 18-25, along with those in receipt of state benefits, can sign up for half price.

MA Comedy Writing: As advertised above, Falmouth Flexible's part-time, online Master's course. Start studying on 25th January 2021.

News Rodeo

BCG Pro member Jonah Solomons co-hosts this podcast, which delivers gags on the top stories of the week. Most podcasts go on for too long and waffle, so we applaud Jonah and Hannah for keeping things short and making sure every line is a joke. The latest episode is 6 minutes long - why not give it a listen?

Comedy Casebook: Dave Bibby

Dave Bibby says in his Casebook interview: "I occasionally do other things but I'm very proud to say I have made a living from making people laugh." Something to be proud of indeed!