Peak Practice and Soldier Soldier creator Lucy Gannon has launched a scathing attack on the BBC, claiming that the Corporation’s drawn-out commissioning process is threatening the livelihoods of writers and independent drama producers.
Gannon, whose BBC credits include the series Servants, said the period between an idea being developed for the Corporation and then either commissioned or rejected was often as long as two years.
She said that this overlong process made it difficult for writers and companies relying on commissions to cope financially, and claimed the situation was being compounded by clauses in BBC contracts which prevent scripts being taken to other broadcasters for a certain period.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Gannon attacks BBC commissioning
By Matthew Hemley for The Stage:
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And she is quite right. Well done her for daring to 'bite the hand that feeds'.
ReplyDeleteIf the BBC (and others) must take so long before committing to an idea they should at least provide a 'retainer' of sorts in the interim.
FROM THE CHAIR OF THE TV COMMITTEE
ReplyDeleteTelevision issues are cropping up so thick and fast, that the Guild is going to need a 24 hour hit squad to see to all these problems.
I applaud Lucy Gannon's bravery in speaking out, and it helps us all when other writers do too. When problems become known, we can deal with them together, which is the way it should be.
And, believe me, the Guild is doing its best to address all these issues in our current negotiations.