r/ScreenwritingUK

This is from David Cohen's email newsletter and written from the perspective of specifically comedy writers. If you are already writing drama then it should still be useful.

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There are two ways to become a professional comedy writer (assuming you’re not a performer).

You either pick up a credit or credits as a joke or sketch writer for BBC Radio – and since 2021 we’ve put 58 of you on that first step of the ladder.

Or you write a script that’s so amazing it attracts the interest of the main channels and they commission you to write.

Opportunities for the second option don’t come often so when they do turn up you should seriously consider them.

Every September Channel Four launch their screenwriting competition that’s-not-a-competition-it’s-a-course – but if you want to be one of the 12 winners chosen from the 2500+ submissions you’re going to have to be better than more than 2488 of the entrants.

Beyond the usual requirements for a great script I talk about frequently here - you know the ones, character, story, jokes, jokes and jokes – what is Britain’s second biggest comedy-making Channel looking for in a script?

Here’s your guide to the seven c’s and how to sale them…

Channel 4

The purpose of the course, run by top script reader Philip Shelley, is to offer 12 writers an insight into how the industry works and to work with them as they write an original script.

If you make it through to the last 12 you’re paired with an experienced script editor and work with them on a series or serial pilot script over a five-month period. At this stage, don’t try too hard to second guess what Channel Four commissioning editors are looking for. Write what you’re obsessed about. (I’m bringing out a new edition of Complete Comedy Writer next year and no doubt I will be revisiting ‘write what you know’ for the dozenth time)

Competition/Course

You’re expected to send them “an original C4/E4 one-hour drama series or serial pilot episode, and 2-3 page outline/pitch for the series/serial as a whole.” Which is a massive ask for new writers.

20 years ago wearing my Writers’ Guild Union Rep hat I would have complained angrily at the expectation of getting so much for a fee of zilch. Now I just think ‘ooh there’s a one in 200 chance you could win this, those are do-able odds.’ 

Be aware how much work it is. (Clue, think of how much time it’s going to take you, then double it.)

Comedy

Yes it’s called the Drama Screenwriting Competition but don’t let that put you off unless you’re sending the kind of sitcom like Not Going Out where nothing changes and no one ever learns anything.

Indeed, one of the complaints that script readers have talked about on Philip’s blog is that too many of the scripts they read are too serious. This is where comedy writers have a big advantage. We don’t shy away from writing about climate catastrophe and AI dystopia and family conflict but at least we make an effort to be funny about them.

And that matters. As one reader put it, “there is absolutely no obligation for your submission to be funny, but by our 300^(th) script, we sure do appreciate the occasional laugh.”

Clarity

Clarity is everything. You’d be amazed how often you write something and people don’t know exactly what you mean. You were sure of it in your head when you wrote it down. And now you’re having to explain exactly what you mean (Dave, I’m talking to you). As Philip says, he wants ‘A clear dramatic hook and how you introduce your lead character on page one.’

Crack…

There’s a page on the Screenwriter course website featuring testimonials from previous winners. https://script-consultant.co.uk/channel4-course-testimonials/

Definitely worth a read. One thing that comes through time and time again is the winners saying ‘this wasn’t the first time I entered’. If you fail to get on this time, be sure to have a crack next time – and be sure to have learned what went wrong before.

…Cocaine

Philip complains: "So much cocaine!" I must admit I don’t think I’ve heard this about scripts from readers in any other coursepetition. Then again this is Channel Four and I guess if enough whining old farts continue to complain that there’s too much sex and drugs on Channel Four, the Channel will attract the kind of writer who puts in too much sex and drugs.

Cosy Crime

To directly quote one reader: “To be clear, I am NOT warding you off writing a cosy crime submission – many of our best were. Just be mindful that once we’ve read ninety-nine scripts featuring a maverick detective with a dead wife, the hundredth does need to be undeniably distinctive to rise above the parapet.”

Hi everyone

I’m a working screenwriter from Iceland, who studied screenwriting in the UK, with four produced features, and I’m currently working in four different TV series rooms. I also spent years running a film school and now teach screenwriting workshops internationally alongside my writing work.

Over the years, one of my most popular lectures was about the workflow I use to write — a practical method I call a screenplay manual.

It’s basically a hybrid between an outline and a treatment. Instead of sitting down with a blank screenplay and trying to invent everything on the page, I build the story through a series of manageable documents until I have a manual that tells me what I’m actually writing.

For me, it’s largely about avoiding that freeze that can happen when the job feels too big, which I thought would go away with experience, but spoilers: it didn't. So I created a process that lets me consistently deliver when I’m writing professionally.
I’ve turned that lecture and workflow into a short book called Create Your Own Screenplay Manual.
Now, will it work for everyone? Probably not. But it does work for me, and I know several successful graduates it works for as well.

To celebrate the launch, I’m making the Kindle edition completely free on Amazon from August 11–15.

Book: https://amzn.eu/d/045ASrRO

If you want to do me an extra solid, you can also search Amazon for the title "Create Your Own Screenplay Manual" and find it that way instead of clicking on the link.
That tells the almighty Amazon algorithm that people are interested in the book.
And if you pick it up, read it, and don’t hate it, I’d appreciate an honest amazon review. For a new book, those genuinely make a difference.
No obligation on either front. The book is free this week, and I hope some of you find the method useful.
I am also giving away a screenplay read / feedback on my IG: theinsecurescreenwriter for anyone interested.

Happy to answer any questions about the method, the book, professional screenwriting, teaching, or screenwriting in Scandinavia/Europe versus the American system.