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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Ian Sweeney and Alex Scott win Short Com TV Sitcom Writing Competition 2021
Ian Sweeney and Alex Scott have been named as the winners of the Short Com TV Sitcom Writing Competition 2021.
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How to Structure Sitcom Scenes
Chris Head uses some excerpts from US comedy Friends to highlight the set-up / reveal / escalation / payoff structure of sitcom scenes.
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The Stand-Up Tune-Up, No.5: Matt Forde on making political comedy work
Political material can be risky with live audiences, but Matt Forde manages to bridge the big political divides - we asked him how.
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BCG Pro Sessions video: Kirstie Swain
Kirstie Swain joined us on Zoom to answer questions about comedy writing. The chat included advice on forging a career as a writer, the highs and lows of TV development, and more. You can watch the 58 minute recording here.
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The Secret Reviewer #31: Necessary Roughness
Every month our clandestine critic reveals the murky truths behind that infamous trade, and live comedy generally. This month: Should we pay for a work in progress?
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How we turned the ParaPod podcast into a film
Ian Boldsworth explains how they managed to devise, film and distribute a movie based on the ParaPod podcast, and the lessons they learnt along the way of how best to use a small crew.
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Gold Christmas cracker joke competition 2021 opens
This opportunity/event has now finished/closed.
TV channel Gold's annual topical Christmas cracker joke competition is open for entries.
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Banijay Brightbulb Development Intern Scheme 2022
This opportunity/event has now finished/closed.
Banijay, the production company group that looks after show formats including The Ranganation and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, are advertising intern positions in their development department for "young, diverse talent".
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How we made When The Screaming Starts
Ed Hartland explains how they made comedy-horror mockumentary film When The Screaming Starts, and what they learnt in the process of doing so.
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The fastest way to make a living writing comedy
Newsjack may have finished, but Dave Cohen explains how you can write for two other topical BBC radio shows: The Skewer and Breaking The News.
Library
Our archive of insight: interviews, advice and materials from those at the top. View all
It's the twenty-first century... but publishing a blog is still a brilliant thing for a comedy writer to do. Here's why...
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As a comedy writer or stand-up you may have heard the phrase "punch up, not down" or a variation thereof. It's an important comedy guideline that concerns both the ethics and funniness of your material.
Read
What's it like in a TV panel show writers' room? That question, and many more, are answered in this 70 minute video recording of our BCG Pro Sessions interview with top gag writer Christine Rose.
WatchInteresting articles from other websites
How to hit that deadline with a script you're proud of
Since I started blogging about writing sitcoms ten years ago, and more recently podcasting, I've spoken to lots of writers who have sent scripts into competitions like the BBC Writersroom or the BAFTA Rocliffe. A surprising number say things like, "The script wasn't any good, but I sent it anyway."
James Cary, Sitcom Geek, 22nd October 2021Lenny Henry joins row over blocked BBC executive
Sir Lenny Henry and other influential black figures have written to the chairman of the BBC about reports that a black executive was blocked from a senior newsroom job after campaigning for more diversity in broadcasting.
Peter Chappell, The Times, 21st October 2021Charlie Vero-Martin on performing solo
As well as performing as a team, Charlie also does solo shows and today we talk all about it.
Holly, Phoenix Remix, 20th October 2021New PhD on barriers to representation in stand-up
Leicester Comedy Festival and De Montfort University are proud to announce a major three year PhD scholarship has been created to allow for the exploration of barriers to representation in stand-up comedy.
PR News Blog, 19th October 2021Interview: Bronwyn Sweeney
We caught up with Bronwyn to talk about what inspires her comedy and the strange situation where she discovered she was funny...
Funny Women, 15th October 2021Latest podcasts
ComComPod: Episode 385 - Aaron Chen
A quite brilliant stand-up, with gloriously unique and surprising one-liners, Aaron Chen started comedy incredibly young, and was already working to shed every ounce of hackery while still in his...
Sitcom Geeks: Episode 177 - Hat Trick Sitcom Script Competition
Exciting news - today Sitcom Geeks launch our Sitcom Script Competition in association with the mighty Hat Trick and BCG Pro - with £1000 for the winning script. What we're...
ComComPod: Episode 384 - Adam Rowe
Adam Rowe is a killer. Huge punchlines, banging material that draws screams and whoops from his crowd, and a laser-like focus on achieving his ambitions. But what does his urge...
ComComPod: Episode 383 - Thanyia Moore
A consummate compere, wielding her natural warmth and blunt honesty to devastating effect, Thanyia Moore has pulled off something extraordinary - a slot on Mock The Week before she debuts...
Sitcom Geeks: Episode 176 - The Comedians' Comedian Comedian Speaks
Stuart Goldsmith is a great stand-up and host of the superb long-running podcast examining what makes people funny. Great advice for freeing yourself up, going to Edinburgh "every show this...