British Comedy Guide

Declan Hill Sitcom Script Reading

Declan Hill

Declan Hill co-produced Sitcom Mission from 2008-2018, reading 3500 scripts and feeding back on 500 of them. 

He co-wrote the best-selling Amazon 5* book, Your Sitcom Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It...

Currently a script reader for Short Com Sitcom competition.

Creative Consultant to MATES: The Improvised 90s Sitcom (www.matesimprov.com).

Teacher of Sitcom Writing for We Are Funny Project.

Feedback

"Declan knows the sitcom genre inside and out. He's a brilliant teacher and his insights are second to none."
Rachel Thorne, MATES: The Improvised 90s Sitcom

“Declan is not only incredibly knowledgeable about the art of crafting and shaping sitcoms, he’s also a genuinely nice bloke.  We met him at the start of our TV writing careers, and entering his Sitcom Mission was one of the major stepping stones in allowing us to break into the industry – not just because of his advice, but because of his ability to charm major industry figures into paying attention.  What we appreciated most was that Declan wasn’t interested in saying ‘this is the right way to do this’, but instead worked with us to hone our work to our own satisfaction.”
BAFTA Award-winning Andrew Jones and Ciaran Murtagh, showrunners of Mr Bean, Diddy Dick and Dom, writers of The Amazing World of Gumball, Danger Mouse and many others.

“Declan Hill knows the laws of sitcoms inside out. The best kind of notes you can ask for are ones that make you think and not just tell you that you are wrong. And Declan does that with ease, honesty and precision. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the genre, which is essential in trying to assess a script’s target audience. Why your characters, structure, story and jokes work, or not. Following Declan’s notes will help your writing and script no end.”
Chris Aitken – Short Com

“I have been working with Declan over the last four months developing a sitcom script and overarching story. He has provided proof reading and writing advisory services relating to format and plot.

My experience working with Declan has been outstanding, and my work has greatly benefited from his years of industry experience and natural flair for efficient yet expressive plot structure. As a new writer, I have also found him very approachable, easy to contact and quick to respond which has really helped as I start my journey into the industry.

I actually won a competition with my script after his critique, and I’ve only been writing for a year!”
Nick Muskett, writer ‘Musher’

1-page bullet point feedback

Quick and simple feedback

For an early draft of your sitcom, I'd recommend a single page of bullet point feedback. 

The summary will look at whether characters work or not, plot points and plot holes and whether I laughed or not. If there's space, I'll add some ideas about what to look at going forward.  

I'd recommend this because many writers want 'sounding board' feedback at an early stage (first or second draft) so that they can make shifts on areas that they kinda know needs work but need a second pair of eyes to help find the gaps. 

£35 Buy Now

3-5 page detailed feedback

Spending more time

For a deep dive into your sitcom, I'd recommend 3-5 pages of page-by-page feedback. 

The detailed report will look at how characters function, their believability and likeability, how they interact with each other and their relationships, plotting and timing and structure, and joke rate and where the opportunities for gear changes are. There'll be suggestions for how to take the sitcom forward and a bunch of 'what if?' scenarios.   

I'd recommend this because writers often want detailed analysis of something they're committed to and are invested in and maybe are just missing that certain something. An outside pair of eyes can often see the potential that the writer may have overlooked. 

£55 Buy Now

FREE - First 3 Pages: One Paragraph Feedback

A paragraph of feedback on the first three pages of your script

It's pretty straightforward - the first three pages of your script are simply the most important. Get those right and they'll continue reading to the end. Get them wrong and they won't read page four.

I'll give you a paragraph of feedback on your first three pages to increase your chances of success. It also acts as a taster so you can see my style of feedback and whether you'd like to take pay for a full-script feedback. 

Price on application

This service is provided by Declan Hill.

Whilst British Comedy Guide lists this Service, it is acting as a designated sales agent for Declan Hill ('Provider') and neither runs the Service nor has any other control over nor has any other control over it. Accordingly, it cannot be held responsible for them in any way, shape or form. British Comedy Guide processes payment on the Provider's behalf and all prices include a service charge, itemised separately on your invoice. Please feed back to BCG if you feel a Service is inappropriate. When booking a Course or Service, or joining a waiting/notification list, your name and email address will be shared with the Provider, who may contact you about this and/or future offers. Your payment details are not shared.