"Wonder how many entries"

And the BBC End of Story creative writing comp had 17,000 entries. I dont think this one has been advertised as much but still you would be amazed (and somewhat distressed) at the number of creative writers out there.

If I get onto the shortlist you will easily recognise me, Ill lokk a lot like this:

Any idea how many will make up the short list

It's a 4 x 1 hour short series.

My guess (only) is a whole load of us (50?) in a 'Pop Idol' type thing for the first episode, down to 3.

Second episode starts with 3 and ends with 1.

Third episode is the one being 'guided'.

Fourth episode is the one up to and including the opening night on the WE (?possibly live? the t&c's do mention 'live' tv).

But just guessin'.

I would suggest that at this stage even the production company only have a sketch of how the process will work - there are too many unknowns - how many entries, how many good entries, how many great entries, how many good entries turn out to be written by homicidal maniacs etc.

There will be a long-list, a shortlist, a shorter list and a winner. And I warn you all that sepculating too much on the process at this stage is a bad idea - that way madness lies.

And then of course this could all turn out to be a reality show about how easy it is to turn a bunch of writers into drooling nutcases rocking gently in the corner of a padded room.

And the answer is ... very very easy.

Sorry, Zab, but I would suggest The Production Team know EXACTLY how this will work - even if we don't!

1. They've done it before (Operatunity / Musicality etc).

2. You don't get C4 Jan Younghusband to say 'Yeah, go ahead guys, I know you don't know what you're doing exactly, but it'll be fun - here's a cheque".

3. They have to have reserved not merely the production staff BUT the readers AND (critically) the theatre for certain dates!

"Is this the right room for an argument?
- I told you once."

Adman - I know they will have a general plan - my point is that until they get the entries and start the process they wont set things in stone.

My experience with the End Of Story competition was that they had indeed reserved readers - but not nearly enough to meet the demand so they had to find more. And the producers of the programme did a fair bit of thinking on the hoof about the approach etc.

The actual numbers long-listed, shortlisted etc varied at the end from what was suggested at the outset simply because of the huge number of entries.

AAAAGGGHHHH - now youve got me doing exactly what I was advising against - stressing over the mechanics and thinking about my chances of getting shortlisted.



You need to have a plan but you also need to adapt to emerging circumstances.

Maybe they'll just pick out the entries with no spelling mistakes, put all the writers into a sealed room and the last one standing wins.

Probably not.

I always thought that half the English language is a spelling mistake. Which other language has so many different spellings of common words.

Mind you colour and color blow me away