My Comedy Career: Tim Reid

Sitcom writer Tim Reid talks below about the benefits of comedy writing courses and building up a constant source of potential material.

Tell us what you do in your job.

I'm a comedy writer, podcaster and trainer.

I'm probably best known for co-creating and co-writing TV sitcoms like Peter Kay's Car Share and Meet The Richardsons. I've worked with some of the biggest names in British comedy over the last 15 years.

I guess one of the biggest misconceptions of TV comedy writing is that the job starts and finishes with the script. I've written over 50 episodes of broadcast TV shows since 2010, but I've probably spent 90% of those 15 years developing and pitching new ideas, writing pilot scripts, and developing formats that never get made.

I've got a pretty decent hit rate for getting production companies and broadcasters interested in ideas, even commissioning scripts, but getting a green light for a show happens very rarely. If you get one show over the line for every 20 you pitch, I'd say you're doing very well.

How did you first get involved in the comedy industry?

I was a copywriter at an advertising agency before I got into comedy writing. Durex was one of my biggest clients. So writing knob gags was my day job before I'd even thought about writing a sitcom.

I've always loved comedy. And I loved writing. In 2008 I went on Brian Luff and Georgina Sowerby's sketch writing course. Brian and Georgina were amazing. That course gave me the tools, techniques and confidence to have a go at writing sketches and then longer form scripts. I can't recommend doing a comedy writing course highly enough. In fact, I recommend you track down Brian and Georgina and get on one of theirs. Or take one of mine! If you want to get into comedy writing start with a course, fill up your toolbox, then get writing.

What key skills do you need to be able to do your job well?

Curiosity, resilience, patience, determination and contacts. All those things are more important than being funny. Which is, of course, very important.

What has been your biggest career achievement to date?

Right up there with co-creating and co-writing a BAFTA winning sitcom is surviving in the industry until I managed to get that "tricky second album" out into the world. I'm not the first "newbie" to be completely shafted on their first big project. But keeping the strength of mind to remember that "yes, that was my work, my characters and stories, my scripts..." and to keep believing in my work until the next hit happened... I think that's my biggest achievement.

And what has been the biggest challenge/disappointment?

The biggest challenge for all comedy writers right now is the lack of commissioning money to go round. Times are tough in telly, and I think it's harder than ever to get commissioners to take a chance on a new idea. They can't afford to make a mistake. And any creative industry needs risk takers.

Tell us a trick/secret/resource that you use to make your job quicker/easier.

Get into the habit of writing down anything and everything you think is funny. That way you've got a constant source of potential material and stimulus to draw on.

If you could change one thing about the comedy industry, what would it be?

I'd give comedy commissioners a bigger budget and an extra dash of derring-do.

What tips would you give for anyone looking to work in your area of the industry?

Sign up to a comedy writing course. Any comedy writing course. Any at all. Any.

Oh and listen to my podcast, Fist Of Firsts. There's a lorryload of great tips and tricks from top comedians on there.

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Tim's Comedy Writing Workshop and Sitcom Writing Course are listed on the BCG Pro courses page

Find Fist of Firsts wherever you get your podcasts.