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.
