British Comedy Guide

Inside Track Library

This is the Inside Track library, in which we have collected up our features which have timeless insight and advice, and sorted them into categories. Use the filter to find articles on a topic you're interested in.

Generic picture of a man pushing a boulder Writing

Comedy writing: Keeping going

  • Friday 20th May 2022

Writing professionally is as much a test of endurance as it is of skill. Here are some things to bear in mind when it gets difficult, and you need some help and encouragement.

Checklist Writing

Goals

  • Wednesday 18th May 2022

Goals goals goals. All writers need something to aim for, but self-motivation in particular can be a strain. Here we look at setting and achieving goals in the creation of comedy.

Image shows from L to R: Alan Simpson, Ray Galton. Copyright: Getty Images / Tony Evans Writing

Co-writing

  • Thursday 5th May 2022

Embarking on a new writing partnership? Wondering about how group dynamics work? Have a read...

Spanners

Doing It Yourself

  • Sunday 1st May 2022

Here are some important things to consider when it comes to solo comedy creation.

Meeting Writing

What to do in a writers' room

  • Tuesday 26th April 2022

You've been invited into a writers' room - on either a panel show or sitcom - as the most junior writer. Here are some hopefully helpful things to bear in mind as you work out how to conduct yourself.

Cartoon illustration of a boy having an idea

What to do when a producer says "send me some ideas..."

  • Friday 22nd April 2022

You've had a meeting with a producer. Good for you! Now they have asked you to send them some ideas. Great! But how should you actually deal with this request?

Image shows from L to R: Maurice Gran, Laurence Marks Writing

BCG Pro Sessions video: Marks & Gran

  • Thursday 21st April 2022

Sitcom writing legends Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran joined us for our April 2022 BCG Pro Sessions Q&A. You can watch the 65 minute recording of the chat here.

Aisha Bywaters Performance

Aisha Bywaters discusses the role of a casting director

  • Tuesday 19th April 2022

Aisha Bywaters has been the casting director on TV comedy shows such as Enterprice, We Are Lady Parts and The Baby. Following her win at the Casting Directors' Guild Awards, we thought we'd ask Aisha to explain a bit more about what her job entails.

Hard Cell. James Kayler Production

James Kayler on directing Hard Cell

  • Tuesday 19th April 2022

Hard Cell director James Kayler gives us an insight into what it is like to plan and film a TV show.

Hitmen. Jamie (Mel Giedroyc). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions Writing

Single Camera or Studio Audience?

  • Thursday 14th April 2022

So: you're working on a new sitcom project. You now face a choice: what type of sitcom should your show be? Single camera or studio audience?