The London Comedy Writers meet again on the 2nd December 2008.
The meeting will be held at the usual location.
The Old Kings Head
Kings Head Yard,
45-49, Borough
High St,
London,
SE1 1NA
See Map
If coming by tube, you should go to London Bridge and exit via the Borough High Street (East) exit, which is 10 seconds away from the pub. Other exits are several minutes away!
The meeting starts at 7.00. Get there early to take advantage of the pub's "happy hours" (4-7).
- What happens in the meetings?
- Where is it?
- When is it?
- How much does it cost?
- I have a funny script will the group read it?
- My script isn't that funny will the group read it?
- How about my movie script will you read that?
- Will you read my sketch?
- You read my script and made changes, will you read it again?
- How long will have to wait to get my script read?
- Hold on, who exactly reads it?
- What is the feedback like?
- When is the best time to bring my script to the group?
- How many people attend?
- How can I support this great group?
- Who is in charge around here?
- How do I know someone won't steal my great idea?
- What is the group project?
- Can you recommend a script reader?
- What can I do with my finished script?
- I am looking for a writing partner can you help?
- I checked out your competition page and there are hardly any script contests, but loads of writing contests, how do you pick the contests?
- All this talk of scripts, don't you read anything else?
What happens in the meetings?
We start by getting the drinks in. We then go upstairs, everyone introduces themselves and then we hear the latest news and competitions (also available on this site.). The writer of the night will introduce his script and cast any roles that need casting. We then read the script and have a 15 minute break where get more drinks in. We return to give feedback and then debate the feedback. The we move onto the group project and then head back down to the bar for more drinks. back to top
Where is it?
Did you look at the top of the page? It's all there. But here is a Map. back to top
When is it?
Again you should have seen this at the top of the page, but meetings are held every 2-3 weeks depending on the scripts we have and when we can book the room. back to top
How much does it cost?
Nothing.... well I say nothing, but you are required to give feedback on scripts up when your script is going to be read. In fact recent changes mean that unless you are attending the group on a regular basis you may have to wait longer to hear your script read. People who give up their time to give feedback on others are more likely to be read first. back to top
Yes we will. but there are a few things you need to know. We only read half hour scripts (about 30 pages). To get your script read you must also attend meetings to give feedback on other writers. Priority is given to regular member members. back to top
My script isn't that funny will the group read it?
If it isn't that funny because it is an early draft, that is fine. You will get lots of useful feedback to make it funny. If the script is not intended to be funny we may read but you will need be a ultra regular member or we have to be very low on scripts. back to top
How about my movie script will you read that?
Probably not. Movie scripts are too long. However, we are willing to read a thirty minute segment. Or in a very special case we may be able to organise something, but this very rare. back to top
Will you read my sketch?
Yes, every now and again we will have sketch meeting where we will read sketches from people. Also if the main script is short we might tack on someone's sketch on as a bonus. back to top
You read my script and made changes, will you read it again?
Yes. Again how soon we get round to it depends on how many scripts are in line and how often you attend the group. back to top
How long will have to wait to get my script read?
That depends on how often you come to meetings and how many people have scripts in line. It is possible to queue jump if someone drops out or you need feedback quickly. back to top
Hold on, who exactly reads it?
A mix of other writers, actors and people who come to the meeting. You can organise your own troop of actors and rehearse with them prior to the meeting if you wish. We are always looking for actors to read parts, so if you just want to read sign up to day. back to top
What is the feedback like?
The feedback has been described as very honest. We do not pat writers on the back and say good job, if that is what you are looking for then give your script to your mum. That said we are tactful and although some things might be hard to hear remember that we are here to make your script better. Different people will pick up on different things and sometimes they even disagree with each other. Some members of the group are professional script readers, work for the industry or teach, other people are your target audience so all feedback is useful. back to top
When is the best time to bring my script to the group?
A first first draft will often has issues that you can fix yourself. If it is a final draft that you are about to send out then feedback is useless as you won't have time to change it. Sometimes members bring scripts to the group and are looking for that important pat on the back and are not willing to listen to feedback. The writer therefore spends their time trying to justify their choice and not listening to suggestions and they will not find the group beneficial. We suggest a stage when you are happy to have read but are still willing to lots of re-writes. The group is very good at seeing other directions that script could go in and if you are still willing to make changes you can make the most of the feedback. back to top
How many people attend?
There is no answer to this. It has on the odd occasion been as low as 7 or over 30. Normally we kick around the 20 figure mark. back to top
How can I support this great group?
The group is free. The pub lets have the room because writers are alcoholics so they know they will make money. Keeping this web site up to date takes a bit of work so you can help by sending in reviews, news contests. If you want to help out by getting money the to the site then use these sponsored links. They cost you nothing and make the site pennies. back to top
Who is in charge around here?
Jack Milner started the group but family commitments meant he had to hand over power, he still an active member and runs comedy workshops. Tristan White is also a founding member and is the groups secretary, he does all the organising. Graham Trelfer is the current chairman, the third in the groups history, he just talks a lot. You can contact them here. back to top
How do I know someone won't steal my great idea?
You don't. However as everyone in the group heard the reading it will be pretty hard for someone to claim it was there idea. However keep in mind that people do come up with the same ideas. The group writing project for example based around a freakshow seemed quite original but since then I have been contacted by two other members who have been working on similar ideas. So remember to keep all your drafts, character plans because you never know. That said the group is safe because you have lots of witnesses. back to top
What is the group project?
For some time now the group wanted to work on something together, the idea being that with our combined comedy genius we could write the greatest sit-com ever using the American round table writing format. So we brainstormed ideas and cam up with an idea about an out of work Freak Show. However this is where it fell down because of the number of people in the group it was hard to come up with a story and characters that everyone agreed on. (The american system works because you have on head writer who will do most of the script before taking it before the other writers workshop the shit out of it. As we did not have the single vision we found we were getting nowhere fast.) As a result we re-formated the idea to be a kind of Muppet Show format where group members could write skits that would be workshopped and then put into a small storyline. Further details can be found coming soon. back to top
Can you recommend a script reader?
Having a script reader read your script can cost you £50+. We do not currently offer a paid service nor do we recommend any. We advice that you look around, find out their qualifications and ask for a sample reader report before committing yourself. You will receive very similar feedback from the group and the chance to ask questions which is much more helpful. We will look into finding a script reader in the future. back to top
What can I do with my finished script?
You can submit it one of the many competitions we have found, and although it is not up on the site yet we will also provide a list of places that accept unsolicited material. back to top
I am looking for a writing partner can you help?
Turn up to the group and ask around, members of the group have worked together to produce material. See here. back to top
I checked out your competition page and there are hardly any script contests, but loads of writing contests, how do you pick the contests?
Sadly there are some script contests that are out to rip you off. Although we can not guarantee the ones we list are 100% safe, we do look for a good reputation. There are loads of writing contests for magazine and books and we include those because they are often free to enter and is a way for you build up your writing CV. With a good writing CV you have a better chance of finding and agent, with agent people are more likely to read your work. back to top
All this talk of scripts, don't you read anything else?
We have on occasion heard stand up routines, are willing to hear any written piece, but our main focus will always be comedy scripts. back to top
