No unsolicited scripts – that’s what they all say

Here’s a quote from the Channel 4 comedy commissioning website:

“Individual talent or emergent writers will inevitably need the backing of a production company. A fantastic script is the first crucial stage in making a great show, but you’ll also need skilful casting, production, direction and post-production. The production company and you can then pitch the idea, as a full package, to the Commissioning Editors. Channel 4 cannot accept unsolicited scripts from members of the public.”

We cannot accept unsolicited scripts. How many times have you read that? We know its frustrating. We’ve been there ourselves as aspiring writers.

But its important to say at this point there is one part of the statement we completely agree with. The casting, direction, production and post-production are just as important as the writing to the quality of a finished product. This is evidently true. If there is a comedy show you particularly like you may well have read the script book for it with the actors and scenes you are so familiar with already in mind. Try reading it again with different characters in mind or from the perspective of someone who hasn’t watched the show (we know this is hard to do!). It can feel like a completely different production.

So going back to the statement, lets think about what Channel 4 are for a second. They are a broadcaster wanting to show great content to attract an audience. Keeping in mind the paragraph above, if you are a writer giving your work to Channel 4 asking them to source all other aspects of the comedy team, what is the likelihood the show will turn out as you or they want it to? You are both likely to have different objectives, and if you have only provided a script then their interpretation of that script will inevitably be different from yours. Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant parody this brilliantly in the sitcom Extras when Ricky’s character Andy Millman works with the BBC to produce his comedy script and he ends up hating the final product. A broadcasting company are also looking for confirmation that a show can attract an audience. You cannot prove this with a script alone, but you can demonstrate views and shares for a video.

Where we disagree with Channel 4’s statement is when they say you need the backing of a production company before developing a product. Many examples show this isn’t true, and looking for a production company you don’t know with no track record to back up your script is very unlikely to happen or be successful. Sticking with the Ricky Gervais Steve Merchant theme, lets briefly explore how The Office was developed.

Ricky and Steve worked together at a London radio station XFM in the late 90s. Ricky invented a “Seedy boss” character while working on the show and Steve went to work at the BBC and did a course for trainee TV producers. Part of the course was producing a piece of work from a one-day video shoot. So Ricky and Steve got together to write and film a short documentary about the delusional boss they called David Brent. A first rough cut of The Office was filmed where Ricky used to work at the University of London Union, and it was this material that was identified as having potential by the BBC.

The point here is that Ricky and Steve didn’t just write a script. They combined writing, production, direction and acting skills to film simple scenes involving one main character. Suddenly people could envisage the final product they had in mind.

If you are starting out in comedy the best way to learn is by doing. You may not have all the skills at the moment, but you can practise making comedy scenes if you start simple. Here’s another blog from us with a few tips on how to get started.

Its also really important to find the right people to work with. You don’t need a huge team to start developing your comedy, but you also can’t do it alone. That’s where The Comedy Crowd comes in. On our platform you can find writers, performers, filmmakers, and fans all interested in comedy and keen to get involved.

So if you want to make a comedy show, find your small, like minded team, start simple, practise making short scenes, respond to feedback from an engaged early audience, and show Channel 4 what they really want to see.