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See Also: Our new, improved and expanded writers area will finally be launching in just a couple of weeks time. Preview |
Step-By-Step Writing Guide
Once you think your script is in pretty good shape it is really worth getting some feedback before going any further, you'd be a fool not to!
It's going to be painful to get knocked down and even more painful to cut some stuff you love but, trust us, it is better to do it now than leaving it to the commissioning editor (as he or she will have world-class bin basketball skills). When getting feedback try and ask people you don't know too well. Your mother is unlikely to give you an un-biased opinion (just look at all the people who audition for X Factor!). The creators of the now infamous 'Heil Honey I'm Home' clearly didn't seek feedback from anyone impartial to the project because, if they had, surely someone would have been kind enough to have saved them from that public backlash by pointing out the issues. One method of getting some feedback is to post a portion of your script to our writers critique forum, you'll be able to obtain opinions from other writers there.
Getting an expert opinion can make a world of difference as they'll look at your script from the view point of a TV commissioner and joke expert rather than just a potential viewer. Whilst your mates down the pub might think the messy, explosive car chase scene you've written is brilliant they're unlikely to pick up on the fact that it probably needs re-writing because it would be too expensive to film. A sitcom consultant would be able to point this out to you and offer advice and guidance on how to improve the comedy further. If you are planning to attend a course you might be able to get an expert view there, the alternative is to seek out a sitcom consultant. As you may have already seen, we've teamed up with leading consultant Marc Blake to offer our readers a discounted script consultancy service. Find out more
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WRITERS' AREA
After all, you may think your first episode is funny - everyone else might not. That is a bit extreme but almost all creators get so tied up in what they're making that they cannot see the faults or bigger picture. For example, that joke about the nun which you are really proud of thinking up? - it might turn out that your potential audience thinks it stinks.
Getting opinions from the general public and other writers via message board posts all well and good however if you are really serious about making sure your comedy is the best it can be you really should seek out the views of a comedy expert.
Step 7