Better Radio Writing Submission Guidelines
Hello Friends,
We are currently hard at work on a new season of Better Radio, a scripted sketch comedy podcast by Rob Schultz and Russell Anderson, and writing submissions are now open.
What’s the show about?
In the distant future, an Archeo-Astronomer travels the stars listening to transmissions broadcast from Earth, researching where exactly things went wrong for our planet.
Each transmission (re: sketch) needs to work in audio only. This is not necessarily the same thing as having no visual component - this might be your chance to do things you could never bring to life on stage, or in video.
All scenes must necessarily take place after 1935. Anything we hear that takes place earlier or is supernatural in some way must, logically, be part of some other piece of media. (We don't need your framing device explained to the audience, but knowing that you're in fact writing a sitcom, or a monster movie, or a broadway cast recording, may unlock something for you.)
How do I submit?
Send your script to BetterRadio at NotArt.org by or before Bastille Day, 2018!
.highland documents and .PDF files are our top choices of file formats.
Please name your file NAME-OF-SKETCH_YOUR-NAME.file
What do we like?
We strongly prefer the conceptual over the topical. Self-contained ideas over reference-fests. Parody is a coin toss.
We like character monologues that we can build into scenes with interesting sound design.
The opportunity to do a cross-over or side story featuring your existing characters from a different project is something we’re very interested in. If your script or pitch falls into this category, please do send a link to the other show.
We like scenes that happen to be set in other decades for flavor. Remember, the show is set in the distant future. It’s weird and sad if all the scenes are about the news of 2018.
Feel free to go beyond the stock 5 settings for an SNL scene. We’ve done film noir, fake commercials, radio call-in shows, game shows, press conferences, and indeed, old-time radio drama. Remember that we have all of audio-visual recording history available as a playground.
The rules
Individual writers and sketch teams are both welcome to apply. Non-exclusive submissions are okay - that scene in your drawer from six months ago is welcome as long as it’s well- suited to radio.
Time and space are finite and not all submissions will be recorded. If yours is not selected, it’s probably not personal.
If we do select your scene for recording, we offer a writing credit on our program in exchange for the non-exclusive right to produce your scene and to publish the script. (You still own your work and may use it in other ways.) We may edit your script.
We will contact writers about submissions we would like to use by or before early August, which is when recording will begin. The new season will air in October, and be accompanied by a live taping at The Pack Theater in Hollywood on September 29.
Reference
To hear what we’ve done before, visit the show on iTunes at http://tinyurl.com/betterradio or Overcast at https://Overcast.fm/itunes320972864/better-radio or just stuff this in your podcatcher: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BetterRadio
Please direct your submissions to BetterRadio at notArt.org, and feel free to forward this to your writerly friends.
Your pals,
Rob Schultz &
Russell August Anderson