Write for Newsjack!
Newsjack Producer Tilusha Ghelani writes...If you've ever thought about being a comedy writer, have a listen to Newsjack, and then send us some sketches.Ìý If they're the best of the batch, they'll make it on air. Go on! Just do it. Write some comedy! So what if its rubbish?* have a go. Stop mulling. C'mon, grow a pair! What else is going on in January?
Newsjack is Â鶹Éç Radio 7's topical sketch show hosted by Miles Jupp. As you can gather, we take submissions from non-commissioned writers (i.e. anyone who wants to send stuff in).
Every week it's on air, you can send us sketches. Monday midday is the weekly sketch deadline. If you have a comic idea that doesn't stretch to a sketch, you can turn it into a Vox Pop or Correction.**
The great thing about working on Newsjack has been reading witty, punchy, laugh-out-loud funny sketches and jokes that dodge the obvious and that have come in from new writers. The show does have a few commissioned writers - in case no one sends anything in - but the main aim is to get as much non-commissioned stuff on air as possible.
For this we have our brilliant script editor Dan Tetsell. Dan started his comedy career by sending in sketches to Week Ending so he's been very supportive of shows that bring new writers on board.
Sometimes, a sketch will make it on air exactly as it arrived in the email but often it has to be rewritten, either for time or clarity or just to punch it up. In fact, right up until the recording, we're tweaking jokes and fiddling with lines. That's the great thing about radio - the actors don't need to learn it. We record a 45 minute show on Wednesday evening (if you want to be in the audience, tickets are available here). The final half hour is broadcast on Radio 7 at 23.00 on Thursdays from 7th January. Newsjack will also be available as a podcast.
All the information on how to submit comedy material is on the Newsjack website. What are you waiting for?
*don't make it too rubbish though - we have to read it. Someone once sent in a picture.
** these are explained in the writer's Guide.***
Ìý***I love asterisks.
A few basic tips
If you listen to the show that massively helps you to get the tone right.Ìý Follow current affairs and pick a subject you care about. Most often, a sketch is one simple comic idea, fully explored. Finally, I recommend reading your work out loud to yourself before sending it off. This helps to sharpen the language and correct any mistakes. Every week during the series we will be a blogging on the Â鶹Éç Writersroom website with hints and tips.Ìý
Comment number 1.
At 24th Dec 2009, linlin wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 2.
At 26th Dec 2009, linlin wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 3.
At 15th Jan 2010, yo_diamond wrote:what do people think of it so far? I think the standard is not that great and, although this sounds bitter, I really felt my stuff was good enough to get on. Anyone else feel the same? Newsjack are not saying how much new content they are using or who exactly is reading the stuff which is a concern.
Here is my rejected stuff:
In our programme last week, we suggest there was a plan to clean up politics. However all three main parties have since told us that cleaning up politics will in fact cost too much money in the current circumstances.
In our last programme we suggested the Labour were gearing up for the general election. Of course we should have said they were gearing up for yet another leadership election. A spokesman told us that it was the only poll were a Labour candidate actually stood any chance.
We suggested the Arsenal game was cancelled over safety fears. Just to clarify that was the safety of Arsenal’s midfield from Kevin Davies’s elbows, nothing to do with the snow.
We can also confirm the Liverpool game was cancelled because the players hadn’t finished building their snowmen.
Schools have informed us that they did not close due to bad weather. It was because the some security scanners cannot tell the difference between snow and cocaine.
VOX POPS
Sham marriages are terrible. I am sickened by Russell Brand’s behaviour, he really should know better.
I can totally see through this body scanner stuff. As far as m concerned the scheme is totally transparent.
These body scanners are brilliant. I normally have to pay £10 a time for this sort of entertainment but now I get paid to watch…sorry madam can you go back through! (gruff male voice, builder-esque
“These politicians are scoundrels, I am voting for nobody.
Well actually I am voting for a nobody, Nick Clegg’s his name.â€
Islamists marching through Wooton Basset. What next? Environmentalists marching through London about climate change. It’s democracy gone mad.
“The snow really brings out the Blitz spirit. Me and the family really enjoyed rewatching Colditz
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