and 大象传媒 Comedy Commissioning have announced a brand new Comedy Writers鈥� Programme aimed at supporting Scottish / Scottish based comedy writers and the Independent sector. It follows a similar model to the successful 大象传媒 Writersroom TV Drama Writers' Programme which partners writers and Indies together to develop TV drama projects.
The Scottish Comedy Writers' Programme will partner a writer with a Scottish based Independent company to develop and write a pilot episode script for an original comedy series for 大象传媒 One, 大象传媒 Two or 大象传媒 Three Online through a fully funded script commission by 大象传媒 Comedy and 大象传媒 Writersroom. This is also about supporting the indie sector in a tangible way while working alongside comedy commissioning.
Over a period of 6 months to a year, the writers will work alongside an Independent Production Company to develop their idea while attending various workshops to enhance their writing and knowledge of TV comedy through the 大象传媒 Writersroom team.
The Writers
This is not a scheme for untested writers OR overly experienced writers with significant television comedy credits. This is an opportunity for writers in the early stages of their career and is set up to allow them the space, time and financial support to produce their best work to date. The shortlisted writers have at least one professional credit to their name and have already demonstrated talent and passion in their previous comedy work, and are ready to make the next step. They have all written for theatre, television, radio or film.
Final Outcome
We hope that each writer will deliver a compelling script for the Network Comedy Commissioning team to consider and hope that the four projects demonstrate enough potential that one or two can move to the next stage of development post script delivery. Long term, our programme will hopefully be a catalyst for our selected writers and Indies to have a continued productive working relationship.
"Nurturing new talent is absolutely central to everything we do in 大象传媒 Comedy so we couldn鈥檛 be happier to announce this joint initiative with 大象传媒 Writersroom. Script development is the engine room of comedy and it鈥檚 crucial that writers are given the license to find their voices and hone their craft in a supportive environment, which our excellent producing partners will provide. Scripted comedy in Scotland is at an all time high but we鈥檙e always looking for the next great idea and can鈥檛 wait to see what the selected writers come up with."
Gregor Sharp, Commissioning Editor for 大象传媒 Comedy
The Writers and Production Companies
HAPPY TRAMP NORTH & BRYCE HART
"Happy Tramp North is delighted to have been asked by the 大象传媒 Writersroom to participate in the inaugural Scottish Comedy Writers鈥� Programme. The standard of the shortlisted writers in the project was exceptionally high, and we couldn鈥檛 be happier that we鈥檝e been paired with Bryce Hart. In a strong field, Bryce鈥檚 writing stood out for us."
Neil Webster from Happy Tramp North
"Since being a part of the 2016 Comedy Room scheme, 大象传媒 Writersroom has been a huge champion of my writing and their support has continually allowed me to take the next step in my career. I am thrilled to be taking the next step with Happy Tramp North. I am a huge fan of their work and believe together we can come up with something special 鈥� and hopefully funny."
Bryce Hart 鈥� Writer
大象传媒 STUDIOS COMEDY & LORNA MARTIN
"We鈥檙e delighted to be part of a programme for developing and supporting new comedy writing talent. Without this talent, the industry would soon fall apart, and support like this feels significant. In particular, we鈥檙e delighted to be working with Lorna Martin who writes brilliant characters, straight from the heart, and has a great knack for capturing the chaos and comedy of our everyday lives."
Owen Bell from 大象传媒 Studios Comedy
"I've received fantastic support from 大象传媒 Writersroom over the past few years and I'm delighted to be selected for this programme and excited to be working with everyone at 大象传媒 Studios Comedy."
Lorna Martin 鈥� Writer
KEIRON NICHOLSON & YOUNG FILMS
"It鈥檚 very exciting to be a part of the 大象传媒 Writersroom Comedy Writers' Programme as the quality of the participants has been very high. I鈥檓 always interested in working with new Scottish Talent and so I鈥檓 thrilled to be working with Kieron Nicholson as we go to the next stage. His spec script really made me laugh and I鈥檓 looking forward to developing it further."
Chris Young 鈥� Young Films
"I鈥檝e always loved comedy, and getting to be a part of the first-ever Comedy Writers鈥� Programme is just a dream come true for me. The chance for new writers to write an original TV pilot script doesn鈥檛 come along very often. I couldn鈥檛 be happier to be working with Chris Young and Young Films, who have been producing award-winning comedy and drama for over 30 years."
Keiron Nicholson 鈥� Writer
SUSAN RIDDELL & THE COMEDY UNIT
"The Comedy Writers Programme represents a tremendous opportunity to develop new comedy for 大象传媒 network. Scotland is home to a host of established, new and up and coming comedy writers bursting with great potential.The Comedy Unit is really delighted to get to team up with Susan Riddell as part of the scheme. Susan is a superb stand up and writer and we鈥檙e really looking forward to developing a new script with her as part of the scheme."
Rab Christie 鈥� The Comedy Unit
"I'm delighted to be selected for this new Comedy Programme and very excited to work with The Comedy Unit. I grew up watching Chewing the Fat, Burnistoun and Still Game so this is an amazing opportunity to be part of."
Susan Riddell 鈥� Writer