BCG Pro Newsletter |
Friday 5th August 2022 |
"Creativity doesn't wait for that perfect moment." - Bruce Garrabrandt
The Edinburgh Fringe is now very much underway, and so the comedy world turns its attention toward Scotland's capital for the next 24 days or so. Whether you're performing, producing, watching, or not involved whatsoever, we hope you have a great, creatively-fulfilling and prosperous month ahead. Here is all the latest news, opportunities and advice about creating comedy.
Opportunities Hub (including new BBC open door) 
At a loose end for your next project or deadline? Opportunities Hub is where to head for a summary of things to get involved in. The latest posts include a new BBC radio show you can submit material to (not DMs Are Open, it is a new format again).
Edinburgh Festival
If you have a show at the Fringe, please make sure you're signed in to our control panel and have subscribed to our Edinburgh mailing list (you can do so via the panel). We are publishing our Edinburgh-specific opportunities and advice that way.
5 more ways to make writing your sitcom easier
We have more tips on how to make the process of writing a sitcom easier for yourself. This time: research, learning from existing shows, keeping the scenes moving, and more.
Sitcom Geeks
BBC Writersroom is set to open its doors this November for comedy drama submissions. Ahead of that, James Cary and Dave Cohen discuss the genre in their latest podcast.
Performance Awards
Our annual BCG Pro Talent Awards for Performance (for those who appear on stage, e.g. stand-ups and character acts) are now open for entry again. You have until the end of October to submit a video of your work. The top acts will be selected to perform in a live final.
Advert
If you're scrambling to put the finishing touches on your Fringe show, you need this book! Full of expert advice from stand-up comedy directors along with loads of inspiring real-world examples, A Director's Guide to the Art of Stand-Up will help you tweak and perfect the bits you're struggling with. And for immediate life-saving structural advice, start with chapters 11, 12 and 13. Find out more.
More features
5 ways to make storylining easier
Properly storylining your script before you start writing is essential to completing your first draft successfully.
The Secret Reviewer #41: Snub-Standard
The live comedy critic who writes for us anonymously is, perhaps unsurprisingly, thinking about the Edinburgh Fringe in their latest column for us.
Tips for Edinburgh performers
There're loads of things that can make performing at the Edinburgh Festival for a month more stressful than it needs to be. Hopefully these tips from Adele Cliff can help you avoid some of them.
What sort of material is acceptable in your script?
It can be difficult - particularly when you're a fledgling writer - to know precisely what sort of material it is acceptable to include in a script.
BCG Pro Gag-a-Week competition
You have the weekend to think up a oneliner on the subject of zoos. Plenty of chances to monkey about with this subject we think.
Thanks for reading
BCG Pro is more than just a fortnightly newsletter - keep an eye on the website as we will continue to bring you latest industry news and opportunities. For example, this Sunday we'll have the details from Equity's Comedians' Charter launch.
The BCG Pro Team
www.comedy.co.uk/pro
