Go  |
New |
Find |
Notify |
|
Reply |
|
Admin |
New PM! |
|
Ahh great - well thanks for trying anyway Davina/Ric... Hopefully it'll be working better next time... 
_________________________
"It's not finished... It's finished..."
|
| |
|
|
Oooooh, I think i got myself on 'page 3' again...  ... 
_________________________
"It's not finished... It's finished..."
|
| |
|
|
If at first you don't succeed give up and get drunk that's what I say.
same time next week for another instalment then, i'll bring jelly and ice cream and maybe minstrals, I like a song when I'm irritated.. bye bye everyone bye bye....come on sooty back in the box
|
| |
|
|
Yep... This time next week... Same laugh time - same laugh channel... Come back Batman, too...
_________________________
"It's not finished... It's finished..."
|
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
Thanks for all being so kind and patient about this. The Channel 4 moderators have been great, and are trying to work out why the forum slowed down so much today. It doesn't seem to be the number of us online so it could be that it was just bad timing. They have suggested that lunchtime may not be the best time to do it, although of course some of you may need lunchtime to go online.
More news when I have it...
|
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
quote: Originally posted by davina e.:
BOOOOOOOOOOO. I think we've toppled the forum. Neither I or Ric can get anything posted, and Ric's been here since 11 getting prepared. I'm so sorry everyone, hold your questions, I'm going to see if I can set a forum with MSN type messaging so we can get this to work.
|
| |
|
|
Thanks Davina for trying, sometimes things just don't happen, but I can't thank you & ric enough for trying, I'm learning that this is a tough business to try and break into, and anyone that trys to help is a diamond in my eyes, better luck next time cheers for trying, now go and have a nice shower and a couple of sweet teas or sumit cheers....Phil.
|
| |
|
|
quote: Originally posted by davina e.: quote: Originally posted by davina e.:
BOOOOOOOOOOO. I think we've toppled the forum. Neither I or Ric can get anything posted, and Ric's been here since 11 getting prepared. I'm so sorry everyone, hold your questions, I'm going to see if I can set a forum with MSN type messaging so we can get this to work.
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K. " - Ted "Theodore" Logan
|
| |
|
|
Sorry realise most of the mail was missing from my above post. Meant to say thanks for trying, I work in IT so technical gremlins are my life Anyway looking forward to hearing your responses and trying it all again next week.
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K. " - Ted "Theodore" Logan
|
| |
|
|
quote:
Thanks Davina for trying, sometimes things just don't happen, but I can't thank you & ric enough for trying, I'm learning that this is a tough business to try and break into, and anyone that trys to help is a diamond in my eyes, better luck next time cheers for trying, now go and have a nice shower and a couple of sweet teas or sumit cheers....Phil.Blimey I put more try's in that the the world cup rugby, some of them were spelt right some were wrong  but I tried... |
| |
|
|
Hello everyone, sorry I'm late. Where are you? Darn, knew I shouldn't have stopped to load the mobile disco. Did I miss anything?
* * * * * * * *
Professional under water wood welder
|
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
Thanks again for being so understanding about today. I won't give up til I've found a way to make it happen! In other news, I'm just about to put a rather long blog up with lots of 4Laughs news.
Have a great evening!
|
| |
|
|
Well yesterday wasn't a waste of time, I learnt one valuable thing, at least I'm not alone in the world, I now know that there are other like minded hopelessly lost individuals all attempting the same thing as me! not to have a real job... best of luck eveyone The good thing is I've also learnt lots of jokes about nuns and conkers I didn't know I had in my locker another bonus, wow this is a possitive thinking day... Now what should the next line in my sit-com be? ahh yes the failed internet chat plot...
|
| |
|
|
I enjoyed it too yesterday - we didn't quite get the main thrust of it going, but still had a blast anyway... I think the whole 'all in it together' aspect has always been the most wonderful thing about this place... Before, I was just sending things off like we all have been and it's so difficult only being able to grade yourself against material that's already been professionally edited and published, without knowing what else is 'out there', unpolished, on a similar tier to yourself... That, and the encouragment and camaraderie available here has been an absolute God send as far as I'm concerned... As for the timing of next week's event - I'd say any time in the afternoon is good, I think... Looking forward to it, though, whenever it is... 
_________________________
"It's not finished... It's finished..."
|
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
quote: Originally posted by Slagg Brothers:
What are the elements of a perfect pitch / synopsis that producers look for - keywords etc
This is Ric. I finally managed to log on. So hope this is of some help. (there's no spellchecker on here) This depends on all the variables in your question but as a checklist to go through: Keywords - have a look at the commissioning sites on the major broadcasters sites. Channel 4 and BBC have excellent links on their websites and you can see which terms are currently popular. At the moment ideas should be multi-platform and have a some kind of interactive aspect (either through websites, forums, texts etc.). As ever (make yourself comfy) - the most important apsect is that your idea is funny, sharp and sustains for the length of the intended slot (6 x 30, 3 x 15 mis etc.). Get the Radio Times, Guardian Guide etc. Look at who and what is current on the channels you are pitching to. Have in your mind suggestions for talent, directors, production companies (if appropriate). Be consistent and once you have your research do not try and second guess the commissioners - it has to be a version of what you want to make or it gets nowhere. Remember your A Levels? It;'s like that. If you want me to look at a draft of your pitch when you have written it I will - but if you look at bbc.co.uk/writersroom there is a lot of information on there to help. Having said that you will not lose a great commission with a pitch that is not a perfect document and it wont save a poor idea. Ric |
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
quote: Originally posted by dannyjb1:
Ric,
Howdy.
What would you consider the single most important thing when submitting scripts to production companies?
1. It's a good idea and appropriate to the production comapny to whom you are writing. 2. If the company has criteria for submitting pay attention to them. We specifically ask for a synopsis plus ten pages of script but all production companies are different. 3. A short dvd, video or audio is great if it's appropriate to your idea as it is easier for us to look at and pass around. 4. Find out who you send it to and assuming your idea is good, funny and we want it make it easy for us. Name and contact details on every page and the promise of much more to come. Ric |
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
quote: Originally posted by Seth Gecko:
I have a question about writing a synopsis - when agents etc. ask for one... Do they expect to see all the twists and the ending and so on - or does that ruin the reading experience for looking at the whole thing later?
Yes - if you leave the plot twists out of your synopsis it may look a bit strange |
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
quote: Originally posted by UHT_MILK:
Would it be a good idea if some of us did some 'extras' work for Babycow Productions, so that we all get to know eachother a little better?
What a lovely idea. We are all meeting in a shed on the Isle of Wight very soon |
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Glamourous Snowdrop:
If monkeys can write shakespear, could a dog and a carp knock out a decent west end musical?
Yes, the dog would have to write as the carp would get the paper wet or sort the computer. I have been trying to sell inter-species comedies for ages but no-one will bite. I used to have a chocolate labrador who once ate a carp, but wrote nothing decent.
I think my attention span is going and it is nearly time for a rest
|
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
quote: Originally posted by Sabriel: Is there going to be any initiatives, comps etc toward sitcom rather than broken comedy on this site? well done all for having a stab by the way in this manner, even if the technology defeats us. benkins
Thank you - we did try. Not sure about this, Davina will know more than me. There is a great new competition coming for November so keep checking the site for details. Ric |
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
quote: Originally posted by mousevale:
The guy next door to me has pigeons, maybe we could use them to send massages???
Massage Pigeons.There is definitely a sketch in that and it could follow the darg v carp idea from Glamourous Snowdrop |
| |
|
4Laughs Editor
|
quote: Originally posted by hedge:
Ric is really a puppet isn't he Davina, come on.
Yes |
| |
|
|
quote: Originally posted by Ricim67: quote: Originally posted by mousevale:
The guy next door to me has pigeons, maybe we could use them to send massages???
Massage Pigeons.There is definitely a sketch in that and it could follow the darg v carp idea from Glamourous Snowdrop
Reminds me of an idea I had about a Stealth Balmer, a wizened 4ft 2in herbalist undetectable by any radar.
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K. " - Ted "Theodore" Logan
|
| |
|
|
That's very useful Ric, thank you.
|
| |
|
|
