BBC Blog Network

User Profile

theguineapigisking

Listed below are comments made by theguineapigisking between Friday, 9th January 2009 and Thursday, 12th February 2009.

«Newer
Older»

Writers Academy 6 9:12pm on 12 Feb 2009 I agree with texturbation.

The Spooks poppy thing really annoyed me too. I actually liked Spooks quite a lot but the poppy wearing popped my suspension of disbelief like a cheap balloon.

The only things on TV last year that in my opinion stuck to its guns were Torchwood and Apparitions. The script for Apparitions in particular was absolutely fantastic and didn't appear to compromise what it set out to do.

More please.
Writers Academy 2 7:51pm on 15 Jan 2009 Antoniablue, I quote from the writersroom page about the Writers' Academy:

"You are eligible to apply if you have had your work broadcast on television or radio, or performed professionally at the theatre."

It doesn't say anything about having a short story read out at an awards ceremony or being shortlisted in competitions etc. I don't really know how much clearer they can be. I don't mean any offence but to be blunt, all the information is there, you just have to read it.
Writers Academy 1 10:40pm on 09 Jan 2009 WriterNaomi,

You're right. A spectacular screenplay will not be rejected for being too long. However, the fact that you've written your comments in the first place would indicate that perhaps you realise that your script is too long and needs to be shorter. Other organisations might not be as "lenient" as the BBC. And unless you are James Cameron or Peter Jackson, you will find it hard to get a 160 page script past the front door of any organisation.

Check out www.absolutewrite.com. You'll find loads of info about willing beta readers. If you still can't find one, why not just submit your script to the BBC writersroom? You'll find out soon enough if it's any cop. I think they read the first ten pages of all scripts so even if they return your script at that stage with a resounding "no", you'll have a fair idea that it didn't hold the reader's interest past page 10.

I agree with science_world in that it helps to shelve the script for a few days and then return to it with slightly less jaded eyes. It usually helps you see bits that don't belong or stick out.

I hear what you're saying about the structure being an integral part of your story but don't let that blind you. What is your story? Why is the structure so important? What are you trying to tell with your script?

Hope this helps in some way.
Writers Academy 1 8:01pm on 09 Jan 2009 Hi WriterNaomi,

I read your above comment with interest.

To be blunt, I think you might need to be more brutal with your script. Are you holding onto parts of your script because you like what you've written or you can't bear to take out sections that you have worked really hard on? The only reason I ask is that all scripts in my experience benefit from a severe chopping, even if the writer feels that they can't possibly remove any more without compromising the story.

Be harder on your story. Demand more from it. Cut out more. Even if you feel it will be detrimental to the story, it can be useful to really pare the script down to it's most essential elements. It might feel like you are murdering your script but you do get used to it and you may even find that you become less sensitised to ripping vast swathes of your story out.

A 160 page script will most likely tax even the most dedicated of readers. If you can eliminate 40 or even 60 pages, it will make for a leaner, more streamlined script.

Hope this is a help and good luck.

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

theguineapigisking