Magazine

Helpful hints for entering Comedy Writing Award

Here are a few tips to help you prepare your entry for this year's Comedy Writing Award:

DO Format your script correctly. If we have trouble opening your file, or find it difficult to read because you've invented your own revolutionary television script format, the script readers will not be put in a good mood. Same goes for good spelling. It's like having good hand writing in an exam - subconsciously, assessors will mark you more generously.

DON’T Go over the page limit. It shows more skill to draft something that stays within the rules outlined in a competition, and it’s better to leave the reader wanting more. If you craft your submission to end at an act break that begs the question, ‘what happens next?’ (or if you simply write a shorter piece that shows your skill) that is a powerful thing.

DO Have something happen. Witty dialogue is great. Really great. But funny conversations that compliment an actual plot is even better. The Mighty Boosh may have a lot of outlandish conversation, but it also has a story, and sometimes very surreal or seemingly pointless banter earlier in the episode will have a payoff later on.

DON’T Tell us your script was rushed, is rough, or not very good. Would your heart soar when you were told the script you were about to read needs work?

DO Be funny! At least if you’re submitting for a comedy writing competition like ours. last year we received a lot of very well-written scripts that seem to be dramas. We’re not necessarily looking for joke-setup-joke, but if you have a script with good characters, a clear story, and it makes us laugh, you’re going to shoot to the top of the pile.

Andrea Miller