Mailbox

A round-up of the latest news, gossip and other information from members. Health warning: Anything in this article should not be relied upon as gospel. 

Got something to share? Send it to mailbox@bscw.co.uk

WELCOME SUBSCRIBERS

This is the first Ezine which our new subscribers will have received.
Welcome to you all. All members and subscribers receive Ezines as a way of obtaining news and articles about comedy writing.


MARKET INFORMATION

For members only: If you haven't already noticed, this month's market information is now available on the BSCW web site at www.bscw.co.uk.


FORUM

Thanks to all the members who have been stopping by the BSCW's forum in recent days - it appears to be very active these days. The forum is the best way we have of building a community across the miles. We are looking at a way of implementing a second forum for the benefit of subscribers.


CVs/UPDATE
From: David Bodycombe

Thanks to members who have sent in their CVs in recent weeks. These will be updated on the web site shortly. The delay has been caused by the production of a special magazine we have been creating to send to producers as part of the BSCW's strategy for obtaining new commissions.


MEMBER UPDATE
From: Geoff Parfitt

I thought you'd like to hear my latest news, some of which could go into a bulletin to encourage other members.

At the beginning of February, I was a member of a gang of five writers meeting BBC producer Catriona Craig at TV Centre, to discuss a sitcom project we've been writing as 15 minute episodes for SitsVac Sitcom Trials. (See www.sitsvac.org to find out more)

The result was that she likes the idea (Labour Party spin-doctors) and we're now writing a 30 minute radio script which Catriona will put forward as the pilot for a Radio 4 series. What's even better for yours truly is that Catriona's favourite 15 minute script from those we'd given her to read was one of mine, and that will form the basis for our 30 minute pilot script. Now, we've just got to make sure we take advantage of this opportunity.

If any of you don't know about SitsVac, it's a great way to start writing sitcom, work with good actors, and see your scripts performed to an audience... and observers from the BBC, Channel 4, etc. I had my first script performed as recently as their November 2000 show, and already I've got this BBC meeting and opportunity. I've been surprised that I haven't found other BSCW members submitting scripts and coming to meetings. I suppose you've all got your own strategy for breaking through as a sitcom writer, but I can vouch for the fact that working with SitsVac has given my writing a "shot in the arm" and very quickly my work has been discovered by a BBC producer.

On another front, my sitcom writing classes at Stratford-upon-Avon College have been going well. I have been getting new writers started on sitcom projects, and we've also been developing sketches for "Smack the Pony" and the "Jacques Vermiere Show". If anybody would like to enrol for the next course, it starts on Tuesday April 24th. Phone the college on 01789-266245 to enrol.

All for now,

Geoff


DISTRACTION OPENS LONDON MEDIA OFFICE
From: Broadcast magazine

Canadian format licensing company Distraction Formats has launched a UK office to focus on the development of new media content. The London-based office will be run by Distraction director of new media and converged formats John Gough (BSCW Formats advisor), who is recruiting for it. Distraction chief executive Michel Rodrigue said that London would be the focus of the company's new media format operations because 'the new media build-up in the UK is ahead of most of the rest of the world'.

The Montreal-based outfit has also signed its first cross-platform licensing deal for internet drama online caroline with interactive producer XPT.

[Editor's note: John Gough is the BSCW's formats consultant]


BBC TALENT NEWS
From: Broadcast magazine.

The BBC is launching its second Talent initiative next week with the help of an animated promotional campaign. Produced by BBC creative services, the campaign features Lenny Henry as a BBC talent agent on a mission to find new talent across the UK. An animated Anne Robinson takes the part of 'M' at Talent HQ while Henry is helped along the way by characters such as Gary Lineker, the Royles and Barbara Windsor. The corporation's first Talent initiative, which ran from March to November last year, involved a series of nationwide competitions to find talent in six main areas; sitcom writers, stand-up comedians, BBC Radio 1 talent, TV presenters, composers and new programme makers. Despite criticism in July from Terry Wogan, who dismissed it as a 'public relations stunt', the initiative was given the go-ahead for a second year. This year the search is expected to be widened with opportunities offered both on and off air across TV, radio and online. The promo, designed by Nexus and animated by Clear, airs across the BBC from 27 February and in cinemas from 2 March.