BBC Wales is launching a brand-new initiative to find up to three new comedy programmes for BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer. Find Me Funny is a new comedy pilot initiative aimed at writers living or working full time in Wales, or those writers who can represent Welsh culture with authenticity, with the aim of commissioning and broadcasting the sit-coms or comedy drama pilots in 2018/19. The pilot that makes the biggest impact - and gets the most laughs - will go on to be commissioned as a series.
Speaking at an industry event for programme makers and writers in Cardiff today, Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning for BBC Wales said: “Wales has funny bones - we’re a nation of comedy greats such as Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon and Rhod Gilbert, to name but a few. Now BBC Wales is looking for the next generation of comedy drama and sitcom writers. We’re looking for a new and fresh look at the lives and characters of contemporary Wales and exciting and inventive voices that reflect the diversity of this country.”
Controller, BBC Comedy, Shane Allen, says: “This is a very exciting opportunity for us to unearth and support the next wave of Welsh comedy talent in a very practical and focused way. Gavin & Stacey was a smash hit BBC sitcom filmed in Wales, with prominent Welsh portrayal at its heart, that audiences continue to love - we’d like to build on that by giving a leg up to newer comedy writers and performers who are looking for their break.”
Anne Edyvean, Head of BBC Writersroom, says: “We’re delighted to be working with BBC Wales on this exciting new opportunity for Welsh writers. We’re really looking forward to reading scripts that tell surprising and funny stories about today’s Wales.”
Budding and established writers have two months to complete their pilots, which should be at least 30 minutes long. The deadline for submissions, which should be sent via the BBC Writersroom website, is 15 January 2018.
- Submissions should be a comedy-drama or situation comedy script for television and iPlayer of at least 30 minutes in length. We are not looking for ‘mockumentary’.
- This is a comedy initiative designed to reflect contemporary Wales and is open to writers living or working full time in Wales, or those writers who can represent Welsh culture with authenticity.
- Writers may also attach a brief outline (1-3 pages) of further episodes and the series as a whole.
- Writers can submit a maximum of two scripts. These scripts should not have been previously produced.
- All scripts will be read “blind”, i.e. without a name attached, until after full-read stage. Please remember to remove your name and contact details from your script.
- All submissions will be guaranteed at least a ten-page read from the reading panel. Longlisted submissions will be read in full. BBC Writersroom producers and BBC Wales commissioners will read all shortlisted submissions.
- Scripts can be submitted with or without a production company attached. Where a script is unattached, we will partner successful scripts with appropriate production companies.
