I’ve had a lot of questions recently via email, Twitter Direct Message, carrier pigeon etc… Most of them are one of a few questions I get asked a lot. I thought I’d put the answers to those questions here so they can be found in one place.
How do I get my script on television?
This is a tricky one, if I’m supposed to answer from my own experience I’d have to say wait until your best friend at drama school is offered her own tv show and she will ask you to write for it. As this won’t suit everyone I would say think what kind of script you have (if you’re asking me this question I assume you’ve written a comedy script) and then send it to a television production company.
Will you read my script?
No, I’m a writer, not a reader. But seriously, I get asked this all the time and I’m afraid I have to say no; I don’t have time to read all the scripts people want to send me. Anyway, I’m not the right person for you to give it to. You need to send it to a television producer who might want to make it.
Who should I send my script to?
Think of your favourite tv shows, watch an episode (or fast forward to the end if you’re impatient) and the end credits will tell you who makes that programme. Send your script to them, or at least a treatment/synopsis of what your intended show is about. Or you could send your script directly to the BBC, check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
You co-wrote The Catherine Tate Show, is it easier to write with another person or alone?
I’ve never written anything with anyone else; everything I wrote for The Catherine Tate Show was written just by me.
How did you get the idea for Benidorm?
I started with a sketch about middle aged swingers. The sketch was set in a suburban living room, I thought this was a bit boring so I set it around a swimming pool on holiday. Then I imagined who else might be sitting around the pool. I wrote two episodes of the show before I actually visited Benidorm.
Can I be an extra/Supporting Artist in Benidorm?
When we shoot Benidorm we are on location there for 3-4months. During that time some days we needs extras, some days we don’t. Extras have to be Benidorm residents as we may need to reshoot a scene we filmed 2 months ago; difficult to do if the people in the background we need to match have finished their holiday and are back in the UK. Most of the time extras are called up the night before to see if they are available and sometimes canceled the night before. We have built up a network of local people in Benidorm that work as extras over the last 3 series who are now used to the conditions… They get up about 6am, start before everyone else and finish after everyone else, they are the last to eat at lunchtime and get paid very little. Am I making this sound too glamorous?
Will there be a 5th series of Benidorm?
Can you confirm or deny a certain actor/celebrity is going to appear in Benidorm?
No.
How can I write to/obtain an autograph of a Benidorm actor?
http://www.spotlight.com/ Enter the performer’s name in the “search” field in the top right hand of the page.
