BAFTA Breakthrough, scriptwriting, and balancing comedy with life 🦭
Your weekly guide to the latest comedy opportunities
NEWSLETTER ISSUE 541
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like”
Lao Tzu
Greetings Comedy Crowders,
Today’s unnecessarily deep and philosophical quote is a call to accept things as they fall and enjoy the funny side of them. Easier said that done when we receive bad news, or sometimes even worse, no news at all. But as a comedy creator it’s essential to work with life, not let it get in the way.
We’ve got a great article below that brings this to life through balancing stand up and parenting, as well as some lovely opportunities ready for picking.
Enjoy!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Dad Jokes: Being Creative With Young Kids
Top Talent Comedy Crowder and former Chorts finalist Tom Ratcliffe has written a superb account of his experience doing stand up while being a parent.
This will strike a chord with anyone who has had to juggle multiple priorities alongside creating comedy, such as a day job and parenting. Plus it’s very funny.
OPPORTUNITIES
Would you like to see your opportunity featured in this newsletter, sent to over 10,000 creators worldwide? Contact us at theccteam@thecomedycrowd.com
Global Opportunities
BAFTA Breakthrough
BAFTA Breakthrough are on the lookout for the next creative cohort to take part in their UK and US programmes. Supported by Netflix, the BAFTA Breakthrough scheme is a year-long programme which supports upcoming talent in films, games and television. You will need to be able to demonstrate a professional credit and two supporting statements from industry professionals. Deadline for the UK is 19 June, and US is 1 July.
Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award
The competition is designed to motivate non-American novice writers under the age of 30, and offer them the recognition and encouragement that might lead to a successful career in television scriptwriting. Entrants are asked to create a completed half-hour to one-hour English-language television drama script. The award winner receives $2,500.
Dundee Fringe
Dundee Fringe brings comedy, theatre, music, and community events to the heart of Dundee from 11th-20th September 2026. Application deadline is 29 June.
Inspiration
Quantity over quality, and the benefits of collaboration
Comedy writer Gil Rief jumps on the TED-wagon to share insights from his experiences working in the Ellen writers room. Some great examples of the benefits of collaborating with other writers, and in particular being open to exploring lots of ideas rather than waiting for the perfect one to strike.
Newsletter over and out!
Carry on creating and we'll see you next week.
Team Comedy Crowd
Who the heck are Comedy Crowd?
We are on a mission to open opportunities to exciting comedy creators from all backgrounds, and make the world a bit less serious and a bit more human.
If you are a talented creator who has had commissioned comedy work and fancies joining our branded projects, get in touch via our top talent page.
If you are a talented creator who hasn’t had commissioned comedy work but still fancy joining the action, make sure you get involved in our comps such as Chorts! so we can find out all about you.