ShortList’s next issue, out Thursday 23rd August, sees the magazine launching a new competition for its readers. The ‘Sitcom Search’ has been put together in conjunction with Big Talk Productions (behind such sitcoms as Spaced, Friday Night Dinner and Rev) and Comedy Central UK, home of the funniest comedies on TV (such as 30 Rock, The Daily Show and Threesome) to offer the successful writer, or writing team, the chance to win a £5,000 development deal with the channel.
The idea is to look for new untapped comedy talent around the country. Readers will be encouraged to work in teams, and will be asked to submit a 3-10 page script, along with a brief description of the idea for their show.
The competition will run for 12 weeks, and will be covered heavily in ShortList, and on ShortList.com, as well as being promoted in holding slides on Comedy Central UK.
A panel of experts – Big Talk chief executive Kenton Allen, Jill Offman MD of Comedy Central UK and SVP Comedy Central International, ShortList Editor Martin Robinson, and acclaimed comedy writer Robert Popper will whittle the entries down to a final 4, who will be invited to attend intensive workshops at Big Talk to whip their scripts into a shape.
The winner selected will have an excerpt of their script printed in ShortList, and be given £5,000 toward developing their sitcom with Comedy Central UK.
ShortList Editor Martin Robinson says, “We love to encourage ShortList readers to get creative, and this competition offers a unique opportunity to turn their sitcom ideas into a reality. This country is at the centre of a comedy boom at present, and the sitcom scene is particularly strong. As a truly aspirational magazine, we aim to help our talented readers break into this world. We’re thrilled to be working with Big Talk and Comedy Central UK on this exciting competition, and I can’t wait to read the entries.”
Publisher of ShortList Darren Singh says, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Big Talk and Comedy Central UK to help British talent succeed. The partnership is testament to ShortList’s commitment to creativity, promoting new talent and delivering opportunities for our readers to lead active and successful lives.”
CEO of Big Talk Productions, Kenton Allen says, “Big Talk Productions lives or dies on the quality of the writers we work with. Without brilliant comedy writers with original voices and bold visions we are literally up shit creek without a paddle. This is a unique opportunity to learn from some great writers and have your work read and developed by a bunch of nice people who genuinely want to help grow a new generation of British comedy writers. And don't forget, it's boom time for Britcom; if you're any good, the money's in funny.”
Jill Offman, MD of Comedy Central UK and SVP Comedy Central International, says: “ShortList are doing a great thing here finding and encouraging untapped talent, and I’m pleased that Comedy Central UK is both at the heart of the search and will play a part in developing the winning script. Following the success of 'Threesome,' UK original commissions have become an important part of our line-up and here’s my tip for writers hoping to join us - we're looking for warm stories with big, bold laughs that can sit alongside the top quality programmes our growing audience loves. Best of Luck!”
