Inside Track
The latest news and insight from the British comedy industry, with many exclusive features for BCG Pro members.
Pro's Inside Track Library is full of timeless insight and advice. Why not find a topic?
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The Secret Reviewer #29: Naming Rights
Every month our clandestine critic reveals the murky truths behind that infamous trade, and live comedy generally. This month: Is a small name-change a big deal?
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BCG Pro Talent Awards: Production 2021 results
Director Tia Salisbury has been selected by judges as the winner of BCG Pro's Talent Awards for Production 2021. Sketch duo YLWSQR won in the Starter category, with a number of other creators shortlisted for their directing, producing and editing too.
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Zoë Tomalin wins David Nobbs 2021 writing competition
Zoë Tomalin has been selected as the winner of the David Nobbs Memorial Trust's 2021 comedy writing competition.
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If you build it, they will read it
Dave Cohen reports back on what's he's learnt from running a course designed to help you speed from nought to first draft in eight weeks flat.
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Things to do before you start writing a sitcom
Simon Nicholls, the creator of Falmouth University's flexible online Master's course in Comedy Writing, discusses what you should do in the early stages of a comic idea; before you type your first word.
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Edinburgh TV Festival Ones To Watch 2021
The Edinburgh TV Festival has named Rachel-Anne Clarke, Sian Harries, Yasmeen Khan, Gina Lyons and Zoë Tomalin on its Ones To Watch 2021 list.
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My Comedy Career: Nat Saunders
Comedy creator Nat Saunders talks about the importance of tenacity, how every new show is a struggle to get off the ground, why bullying in the industry is a real hot topic for him, and more.
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BBC New Comedy Awards 2021 open for entries
The BBC New Comedy Awards - the nationwide talent search to find the best new comedians - is now open for 2021 entries. There's a new Digital Comedy category. You have until Sunday 15th August to enter.
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BCG Pro Sessions video: Martin Trenaman
The recording of the BCG Pro Sessions Q&A with actor and writer Martin Trenaman. Amongst other things, he talks about his experiences of appearing in shows such as The Inbetweeners, offers sitcom writing insight, and discusses scripting material for panel shows.
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Jon Petrie becomes BBC Director of Comedy
Jon Petrie will be the new BBC Director of Comedy.
Library
Our archive of insight: interviews, advice and materials from those at the top. View all
Marketing in live comedy is a long game for comedians. One flyering campaign or one big poster does not make a career. Sometimes, it doesn't even make a gig...
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Simon Allen talks about writing and producing The Watch, the comedy drama based on Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. There's some great insights from him in this piece.
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No matter what kind of show you're writing, making sure that you have the right characters is crucial.
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Many acts may have lost their mojo at the microphone over the last 18 months. So as regular stand-up returns, we're getting advice from the experts. This time: MC Paul Revill talks about how to wrangle a crowd.
ReadInteresting articles from other websites
How to write a sitcom like a pro
The problem with a sitcom script is that it looks easy. It's just words on a page. Anyone can type and hit print or send. It's not technically difficult. And a good script by a seasoned pro and a bad script by a rookie look the same. Superficially. The two documents are virtually identical. Except for the words.
James Cary, Sitcom Geek, 28th July 2021Anna Morris: Sharing your comedy video - my top 5 tips
I've been making comedy videos for almost 10 years now. A viral comedy video got me an agent. Another one got me a part in a Channel 4 sitcom when one of the writers saw it retweeted on Twitter. But I don't do it for the parts - I do it because I really enjoy taking control of my own content, making people laugh, and improving my skills.
Anna Morris, Funny Women, 23rd July 2021Writing sitcoms: hard work vs frustration
Your sitcom characters can normally be described using adjectives. In general, you need to think of actions they can take so you are showing us, not telling us. But let's stick with the adjectives for now.
James Cary, Sitcom Geek, 22nd July 2021Mo Gilligan launches underrepresented group scheme
The second series of the Bafta-winning The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan will include production roles that have been created to accelerate the careers of talented individuals within the industry from underrepresented groups.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 22nd July 2021Second draft - the second draft
In the last blog I mentioned that there is almost no writing about rewriting. Which is ridiculous if you think about it.
Dave Cohen, Dave Cohen's Blog, 22nd July 2021Latest podcasts
Sitcom Geeks: Episode 171 - Writing Is Rewriting Is Rewriting Is Rewriting Is
You can find a million books, blogs and vids about how to make that first draft sparkle - but hardly a word about the next step. This episode James and...
ComComPod: Episode 380 - CK (Caimh) McDonnell
Crime fiction powerhouse and former circuit comedian, CK McDonnell is on the cusp of levelling further up, with a TV adaptation of his half a million selling Dublin Trilogy in...
ComComPod: Episode 379 - Fin Taylor
In an industry awash with 'edgelord' comedians, Fin Taylor is the real deal. Erudite, thunderously funny, and provocative having done the reading first, he manages to annoy absolutely everybody. We...
Sitcom Geeks: Episode 170 - Tell Don't Show
James and Dave explain what's needed in the final steps before you write the first draft of your script. Plus comedy news - the backlash against the government's Channel 4...
ComComPod: Episode 378 - Stevie Martin
Stevie Martin has been generating excellent material for years, and is now starting to break through due to her jaw-droppingly funny online videos, packed with punchlines and with a genuinely...