Sitcom writer joins Chortle seminar

Ideal creator Graham Duff has joined the impressive line-up of comedy industry figures at Chortle’s seminar for those trying to break into the business.

Duff also co-wrote Dr Terrible’s House Of Horrible with Steve Coogan, the Radio 4 sci-fi comedy Nebulous, in which he also performs, and script-edits Count Arthur Strong’s radio shows.

He will be sharing his tips and experience of writing comedy at the event in London’s Soho Theatre next Wednesday, replacing Sam Bain who has had to withdraw because of other commitments.

Also joining the seminar is Simon Wilson, the senior executive editor for comedy commissioning at the BBC, who will be offering advice for those with great ideas for TV or radio shows.

Other new additions to the day are:

• Alice Russell, an agent with Avalon, one of the UK’s biggest agencies with clients including Frank Skinner, Al Murray, Harry Hill, Russell Howard, Lee Mack and Dave Gorman.

• Tristan Cotterill, online manager at Avalon Entertainment and producer of the web content for Russell Howard’s Good News

• Barry Church-Woods: Venues and companies manager, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society

• Tom Hopgood and Isabel Fay, from online comedy producers CleverPie

• Tony Goodrick: Co-ordinator of the New Act Of The Year competition held at the Barbican

• Andrew Whiteside: Recruitment officer of the performers’ trade union Equity.

Tickets are still available for the event, which promises a one-stop shop on all the business and professional advice you’ll need to get started in comedy, as well as networking opportunties. They are priced £95, which includes coffee and lunch.

Use this button to secure your place:

Full schedule

09.30:REGISTRATION AND COFFEE

10.00: GETTING STARTED

Advice on what promoters are looking for, and how to approach them. The pros and cons of doing a comedy course. And should you enter new act competitions.

Julia Chamberlain: From So You Think You're Funny and booker for Highlight comedy clubs

Hils Jago: Founder of AmusedMooseComedy, which runs clubs, courses and the AmusedMoose LaughOff Awards

Geoff Whiting: Founder of Mirth Control,which books more than 80 UK venues and manages 18 comidians

Tony Goodrick: Co-ordinator of the New Act Of The Year competition held at the Barbican

11.15: BREAK

11.30: Milton Jones

The Mock The Week, Radio 4 and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow favourite shares his advice and experience of more than 15 years in comedy

12.15: TV, RADIO AND FILM SESSION

Had a brilliant idea and want to know how to get it made? This is exactly what these people do….

Kenton Allen: Chief executive of Big Talk Productions, makers of Rev, Him & Her and Friday Night Dinner and films including Shaun of the The Dead, Paul and Attack The Block. Formerly creative head of BBC Comedy and producer of the multi award-winning The Royle Family.

Nerys Evans: Commissioning Editor - Comedy for Channel 4; she previously worked at the BBC, within the In-house Comedy department for ten years.

Henry Normal: managing director of Baby Cow, which made Gavin & Stacey, Nighty Night, Marion & Geoff, Saxondale, The Mighty Boosh and Ideal among many others for TV, plus films including 24 Hour Party People and The Parole Officer.

Simon Wilson: Senior executive editor for comedy commissioning at the BBC

13.00 LUNCH AND NETWORKING

13.45 DOING EDINBURGH

The world's biggest arts festival can be a daunting place – but it can also make and break careers. How do you approach this beast?

Mel Brown: Impressive PR; one of the biggest publicists representing comedians on the Fringe.

Barry Church-Woods: Venues and companies manager, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society

Peter Buckley Hill: Founder of the Free Fringe, and performer at every festival since 1994.

Ryan Taylor: Comedy Programmer, The Pleasance

Kate Copstick: Chief Comedy Critic of The Scotsman

14.30 THE PROFESSIONALS in association with Equity
Offering advice on the business, legal and tax side of comedy

Michael Day: London Variety Organiser, Equity

Alan Lean: Tax and benefits officer, Equity

Andrew Whiteside: Recruitment officer, Equity

15.15: BREAK

15.30: AGENTS' SESSION

A panel of leading comedy agents explain how they work with clients to help build their careers, what they are looking for in a comedian, and their wider experience of the comedy business

Corrie McGuire of Objective Talent Management, whose clients include Derren Brown, Zoe Lyons and Pete Firman

Delphine Manley of Beyond Compere, whose clients include Michael Legge, Nathan Caton, Quincy and David Ward

Lisa White of Glorious Management, whose clients include Stephen K Amos, Lucy Porter, Reginald D Hunter and Phil Nichol

Alice Russell from Avalon, one of the UK’s biggest agencies with clients including Frank Skinner, Al Murray, Harry Hill, Russell Howard, Lee Mack and Dave Gorman

16.15: HARNESSING THE INTERNET

Using online video and social networking to make a name for yourself

Will Saunders: Executive Producer, Online, BBC Comedy

Tony Cowards: Comedian described as ‘the Tim Vine of Twitter’ for his prolific posts of one-liners

Tom Hopgood and Isabel Fay, from online comedy producers CleverPie

Tristan Cotterill, online manager at Avalon Entertainment

17:00: GRAHAM DUFF

The creator and writer of the Johnny Vegas sitcom Ideal, Dr Terrible’s House Of Horrible (which he co-wrote with its star Steve Coogan) and Radio 4 sci-fi comedy Nebulous, in which he also appeared. Graham also script-edits Count Arthur Strong’s Radio 4 series.

17.45: END

Published: 16 May 2011