The development process
I was wondering if you have had any of those scripts come to you yet for 2007 and what precisely is writersroom role in the development process since you are a rarity in the industry for accepting unsolicited manuscripts. Do you ever feel a bit bogged down by the very amount of scripts you receive?
Our script readers are at the sharp end of the unsolicited system but although the volume of work we receive can be daunting, it's also a delight when they find something good. In terms of entirely unsolicited work, so far this year I'd say I've read around twenty really good scripts from writers whose work I did not previously know (although I read solicited work from writers too). I have either met or am fixed to meet the writers of these scripts in order to talk about their work. From that point on, the development process is tailored to each writer and dependant on the needs of BBC departments and programmes. These writers will be in the running for forthcoming development schemes that we run within the BBC. I also pass scripts on to other departments to see how they respond to them. There is no set path for development and it can take longer for some writers than for others - but to shamelessly purloin a phrase, writersroom is for life and not just for Christmas.
Comments
Thank you for answering my questions. There are probably quite a few more that I could ask but I don't want to be a bother (especially since it probably takes all of our strength, we who have submitted scripts, to not ask about our own, :)
I did have a follow up to your response though, which is, how many film scripts to you pass on versus radio and tv? Is there a great gap or are they fairly similar?
Thanks again.
I would say that I do pass on fewer feature film scripts. In part this is because I receive fewer outstanding film scripts that I believe are worth a further look. In part it is because I might use a film script to recommend a writer on to a department other than BBC Films. But also, BBC Films isn't a natural home for first-time writers because of the way that they necessarily work within the wider film industry. Having said that, I do pass scripts on if I feel they are good enough and might just interest the development team.