The week before CHristmas

 

Hello again,

 

It's been a crazy last week at work tying up loose ends before the Christmas holidays - a feeling I'm sure many of you are familiar with. Before I disappear up North to stuff my face for a week, I thought I'd blog some more of my wandering thoughts.

 

For the last few weeks we've been sorting and sifting through a mountain of submissions for a sketch-show we'll be producing next summer. We had hundred of sketches which we discussed X-Factor style as a panel. I'd like to think I was the Cheryl Cole of the group, but it's fair to say I'm much more Louis-like. Sometimes a sketch which prompted uncontrollable mirth from one member of the team, raised less of a laugh than an eyebrow from another - but largely we were singing from the same hymn sheet. What we were really looking for were rounded, considered characters who the audience would care about and instantly become familiar with. It's just the same with comedy as drama.

 

One short-film which really sprang out for me this week was Father's Day. The film hinges on a really neat conceit: a tired taxi driver has finished for the night, but agrees to take one last pick-up because it's his daughter's address. However, instead of it being his daughter waiting outside, it's an obnoxious little rotter who's actually just slept with the girl. The character of the father and the young man are set up adroitly and with speed: a beloved photo here, an obnoxious comment there. When the taxi driver overhears the young man insulting his daughter on the phone- the viewer is left wondering what he'll do. We know he's a religious man, but we also know he dotes on his daughter. The film genuinely builds suspense and shows the makings of two interesting characters. Admittedly the young man shows no light alongside his vicious shade - but Father's Day achieves a lot in just over 5 minutes and is testament to the importance of taking care over character.

 

And sometimes you have to throw the rulebook out the window, because an idea which doesn't work on paper can be strangely effective when performed live or recorded. Take Bananaman by Straitjacket. I'm a big fan of Straitjacket's absurd comedy concoctions and had already enjoyed Bananaman before I came to the site. The ridiculously over-blown music underscores the stylised acting well and there's some good dialogue along the way. However, the bit which always makes me laugh out loud is Bananaman's pronunciation of ‘pyjamas.' Now, if I'd been sent this sketch as a script, I have to admit, it wouldn't have made me laugh. That's why I admire people who go out and produce their ideas. It doesn't matter if you can't afford Hollywood production values, sometimes it's the best - or only - way to show your script's potential!

 

That's all from me for now

 

All the very best, and have a wonderful Christmas

 

Davina

December 23 2008

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