How to become a writer for Dr Who
sovietusername
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This might seem a very silly question, especially since half the people on here would probably be writing for it NOW if it were that simple. But here's the thing...
My long term aspiration, my dream job, is to one day be a writer for tv and film. I dont specifically want to be A DR WHO WRITER, though obviously if I were ever given that chance, it would be amazing, given that I'm a fan. Anyway, I've done some research, and it seems to me a good way of getting into writing for the BBC is the BBC Writersroom website. However, it does also seem quite, well, risky, that is to say, it's rather dependent on whether those looking at it like it. Well, obviously, but I think I remember hearing they only read the 1st 10 pages of a script or something. And I was wondering if there was, well, a quicker way to go about it, or rahter, does anyone know if there's a more direct route availible in order to contact Dr Who, or BBC Drama etc. For example, I remember hearing that one of T Bakers stories, I think maybe Full Circle was wirtten by a newbie who simply contacted the head writer/producer. Does anyone know if that sort of thing i.e. just sending in scripts to the big chesses is actually possible now, do you need an agent...?
Anyway, I'm buzzing with questions, and I'm guessing quite a few on here simply wont be able to help (probably). But if anyones got any helpful hints, then I'm all ears. In fact, I'll take you to a planet where everyones all ears...
My long term aspiration, my dream job, is to one day be a writer for tv and film. I dont specifically want to be A DR WHO WRITER, though obviously if I were ever given that chance, it would be amazing, given that I'm a fan. Anyway, I've done some research, and it seems to me a good way of getting into writing for the BBC is the BBC Writersroom website. However, it does also seem quite, well, risky, that is to say, it's rather dependent on whether those looking at it like it. Well, obviously, but I think I remember hearing they only read the 1st 10 pages of a script or something. And I was wondering if there was, well, a quicker way to go about it, or rahter, does anyone know if there's a more direct route availible in order to contact Dr Who, or BBC Drama etc. For example, I remember hearing that one of T Bakers stories, I think maybe Full Circle was wirtten by a newbie who simply contacted the head writer/producer. Does anyone know if that sort of thing i.e. just sending in scripts to the big chesses is actually possible now, do you need an agent...?
Anyway, I'm buzzing with questions, and I'm guessing quite a few on here simply wont be able to help (probably). But if anyones got any helpful hints, then I'm all ears. In fact, I'll take you to a planet where everyones all ears...
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I have heard that Moffat tends to completely ignore people sending scripts in etc, which is a shame IMO, especially as the attitude under Andrew Cartmel/ JNT was to give as many newbies as possible a chance.
I'm a writer too, and the biggest part of the job (after writing, of course!) is networking. Steven Moffat usually tends to hire writers who he knows are good. Mark Gattis, Chris Chibnall, Neil Cross/Gaiman, etc. In most cases, he's worked with these writers before.
So basically, you need a good body of TV work to even have a hope of writing for Doctor Who. Before working on the show, Steven Moffat and RTD wrote sitcoms and dramas. Keep writing and entering competitions on the BBC writer's room. Make your own films. Try to get a job in TV, even if it's just as a runner. Meet other writers. Work your way up.
You'll then need an agent. They're hard to get! (Believe me, I've been trying!)
Once you're "in" the TV world, you'll realise it's a small one. Everyone knows everyone, and once you get there you'll have to hope you meet the right people.
It's all a game of luck, to mis-quote a line from Titanic.
The production team don't offer script submissions, like Star Trek did in the 80s. Would be nice if they did! Casualty and Eastenders however, do have competitions in which you have to write short scenes/episodes, which, if they're good enough, could lead to a writing job on the show.
I know that ITV have script writing work shops, which could lead to working on Corrie.
So I suppose the first step to getting a writing job on Doctor Who is to... write something else first!
It's more because they will receive a lot of scripts and the vast majority of them won't be any good. But if one of those story lines happens to be something similar to what is already planned they will be liable to face action for copy rite infringement even if it is a genuine case of two people coming up with a similar idea.
There's a reason the BBC Writer's Room only go off the first 10 pages: because most script readers do. If you can't grab your audience in the first 10mins, then you won't ever do. In TV that's a disaster if they flick over.
In fact, most experienced writers say that they can spot whether someone can write from the first page. Often the first sentence!
I would advise you continue to write your own material, find your own voice and what excites you about writing. It's something I do too. I write for TV - not drama yet - and it can be a slow process, and a lot about confidence, but it's most certainly not impossible.
Work at it. With hard work, nothing is impossible.
Sometimes but they haven't in a while though.
I think I remember reading that Douglas Adams sent in scripts for Dr Who when in his teens, before he later found success with Hitchhikers and, of course, Who. Does anyone know how he actually started out. Only I'm quite interested in Adams as well, and was just wondering (also, does anyone know why he died so young? I know he had aheart attack, but 49?!)
Sounds obvious, but you'd be amazed how many people who claim to want to be a writer actually never write anything!