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Post by butler on Jul 25, 2019 6:52:43 GMT
There's always the possibility that they won't send out "rejection" letters this year ( I interpreted them more as encouragement than rejection). Ian was in charge of the Short Trips at that point and he might have made a point of sending out the responses (which BF stipulate aren't something they have to do in the terms and conditions). With Alfie now in charge, they might not do that this year. Quite right, and I admit it's not the first time I've mistakenly used this unfair description. But it occurs to me we've got a thread full of slightly anxious writers here, perhaps we can pass the time coming up with a better name for them? "Near-missives," perhaps?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 10:36:48 GMT
There's always the possibility that they won't send out "rejection" letters this year ( I interpreted them more as encouragement than rejection). Ian was in charge of the Short Trips at that point and he might have made a point of sending out the responses (which BF stipulate aren't something they have to do in the terms and conditions). With Alfie now in charge, they might not do that this year. Quite right, and I admit it's not the first time I've mistakenly used this unfair description. But it occurs to me we've got a thread full of slightly anxious writers here, perhaps we can pass the time coming up with a better name for them? "Near-missives," perhaps? It's hard to top "near-missives". *think* *think* *think* Digging down into that dictionary of archaic lexicon holding "jackanapes"... A "fillip" letter? Something that encourages, as in propelled forward with the flick of a finger?
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Post by timegirl on Jul 26, 2019 17:17:26 GMT
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Post by mark687 on Jul 26, 2019 19:36:53 GMT
First time they've showcased it on YouTube
Regards
mark687
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Post by timegirl on Jul 26, 2019 19:47:27 GMT
I wonder if them saying that the winner will be announced soon means they have already contacted the winner or they that they will contact the winner soon 🤔
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 19:59:26 GMT
Irrespective of the outcome, I highly, highly, highly recommend everyone watch the video. Seriously. It's significant to hear that the variety and passion involved in all the submissions managed to impress Rob Shearman. If ever you feel it's not good enough, watch that video. You did well.
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Post by Max Kashevsky on Jul 26, 2019 20:53:49 GMT
I can't ever get over the excitement that every year, another fan fulfills their dream. So glad that Big Finish has kept this going!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 21:30:26 GMT
I was thrilled by the whole interview, especially the intro and music. I really am satisfied with my entry for this year (even though I don't consider it to be my all-time favourite ideas), but I don't mind whoever wins overall. We all have our own talents in writing!
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Post by doctorkernow on Jul 27, 2019 12:19:18 GMT
Hello again.
Lovely to see the Big Finish video about the Paul Spragg Memorial Short Trip competition. I was, in another life, in a play at uni. with Rob Shearman, really good bloke. It was nice to meet a fellow Who fan when it was totally unfashionable to like Who.
All my very best to all those who entered. As always it takes a lot to put your work out there for public scrutiny. It sounds like the waiting is almost over...
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Post by timegirl on Jul 29, 2019 15:03:58 GMT
Big Finish’s Twitter reposted the Alfie Shaw and Robert Shearman video today, I wonder if that means they contact/reveal the winner today 🤔😀
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Post by horatiowatson on Jul 29, 2019 20:19:21 GMT
Worth noting that in previous years they've never "announced" the winner until the details of the actual release are revealed. Usually around October/November time when the story is written, recorded and in the can. Presumably since they're dealing with untested talent they want to make sure they've got a releasable product before they confirm anything.
I think that's why they say that the winner will hear from them before the end of July. So you don't go on waiting too long.
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Post by timegirl on Jul 30, 2019 17:18:06 GMT
Hi has anyone heard anything yet? I saw that someone had made the shortlist, so I am wondering if they already contacted the winner or if they could still have yet to send out the email to them. Also feeling pretty down and frustrated that they have not even set me a rejection letter 😕does anyone know if there are any other ways to submit pitches to big finish other times of the year but would like to see if there are other opportunities as well as this contest?
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Post by doctorkernow on Jul 30, 2019 18:01:59 GMT
Hi has anyone heard anything yet? I saw that someone had made the shortlist, so I am wondering if they already contacted the winner or if they could still have yet to send out the email to them. Also feeling pretty down and frustrated that they have not even set me a rejection letter 😕does anyone know if there are any other ways to submit pitches to big finish other times of the year but would like to see if there are other opportunities as well as this contest? Hello again. I feel your frustration Timegirl, but I'm afraid it is something all writers have to deal with. Big Finish being a small company don't have the resources to reply to all 500 entries. Big Finish as far as I am aware still do not accept unsolicited scripts and any that are sent are deleted unread. They occasionally have the odd writing opportunity but apart from the Paul Spragg Memorial opportunity these are extremely rare. I have heard nothing on all the occasions I entered. You have to dust yourself off and try something else. There's the Divergent Wordsmiths, A Teaspoon and an Open Mind, The BBC Writers Room and numerous non-Who short story opportunities. The most important thing is not to give up. Keep writing. Keep looking out for writing competitions and for advice on writing. Finally, write because you enjoy it. All the best Timegirl for all your future writing endeavours.
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Post by timegirl on Jul 30, 2019 18:21:37 GMT
I realize that they don’t take unsolicited scripts but out of curiosity how do they get new writers other than the few contests/ opportunities? There must be other ways that are solicited besides those🤔
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Post by doctorkernow on Jul 30, 2019 18:42:47 GMT
Hello again.
Some of their new writers will have written for BBC Books. Others may have written for BBC Radio 4 which is the biggest producer of audio drama and does have two regular submission windows for new writers.
Unfortunately, there are lots of places they can find new writers. But part of the reason Big Finish organise this opportunity is to find different voices. So try again, I had literally no ideas this year! However, I shall be back!
I leave you with a bit of grade 4 Muppetry. After being unsuccessful with the 2016 opportunity I took it on myself to send in a radio script version of my entry. Here's an extract from the post I wrote after realising my error!
"Big Finish is not currently accepting any unsolicited scripts or storylines for any of our ranges. Please do not send these to us, as they will be deleted/discarded without being read.
Okay, it's official, I'm a Muppet. In my defence, I have been in the grip of a manic phase of my bipolar. The upside is my brain has come up with countless ideas for stories. The downside is that your judgement is severely curtailed. I don't regret sending my idea. I loved writing the story.
I am determined to keep going with the writing ambition. Onwards, ever onwards, if you don't give things a go you won't be sorry for a might've been."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2019 22:59:34 GMT
Hi has anyone heard anything yet? I saw that someone had made the shortlist, so I am wondering if they already contacted the winner or if they could still have yet to send out the email to them. Also feeling pretty down and frustrated that they have not even set me a rejection letter 😕does anyone know if there are any other ways to submit pitches to big finish other times of the year but would like to see if there are other opportunities as well as this contest? Hello again. I feel your frustration Timegirl, but I'm afraid it is something all writers have to deal with. Big Finish being a small company don't have the resources to reply to all 500 entries. Big Finish as far as I am aware still do not accept unsolicited scripts and any that are sent are deleted unread. They occasionally have the odd writing opportunity but apart from the Paul Spragg Memorial opportunity these are extremely rare. I have heard nothing on all the occasions I entered. You have to dust yourself off and try something else. There's the Divergent Wordsmiths, A Teaspoon and an Open Mind, The BBC Writers Room and numerous non-Who short story opportunities. The most important thing is not to give up. Keep writing. Keep looking out for writing competitions and for advice on writing. Finally, write because you enjoy it. All the best Timegirl for all your future writing endeavours. Well, there's always The Paul Spragg ReCollections submissions window, which is currently open for those who entered the official BF competition.
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Post by timegirl on Jul 30, 2019 23:43:05 GMT
Thanks you guys your suggestions are appreciated 😊I was really feeling down about it earlier today.
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Post by butler on Jul 31, 2019 4:03:06 GMT
Last year I got an auto-reply e-mail when I submitted each of my entries, but I didn't get one this time. Did anyone else?
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Post by project37 on Jul 31, 2019 9:12:54 GMT
Last year I got an auto-reply e-mail when I submitted each of my entries, but I didn't get one this time. Did anyone else? I'd gotten this: Hello. Thanks for emailing the Big Finish Competitions address.
The 2019 Short Trips opportunity is currently underway and closes at 23:59 GMT on SUNDAY 30th JUNE 2019.
If you have entered a story, please consider this confirmation that we have received you story. We do not reply to entries.
If, however, you have emailed with a question, we will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as we can.
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Post by Whovitt on Jul 31, 2019 9:34:15 GMT
Last year I got an auto-reply e-mail when I submitted each of my entries, but I didn't get one this time. Did anyone else? I'd gotten this: Hello. Thanks for emailing the Big Finish Competitions address.
The 2019 Short Trips opportunity is currently underway and closes at 23:59 GMT on SUNDAY 30th JUNE 2019.
If you have entered a story, please consider this confirmation that we have received you story. We do not reply to entries.
If, however, you have emailed with a question, we will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as we can.I received that too. If it makes any difference, I sent mine in on the 27th of June, so they might not have organised the auto-reply yet if you submitted much earlier?
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