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Dear John

Would writing soaps lead to performing?

First published 17th March 2005 (updated Feb 2008)

Question:
Like many actors I'd love to land a part in a soap... but I also know there are many actors out there trying to get exactly the same parts. I wondered if a different strategy would work - I've always been interested in writing as well as acting, and I thought it might be a good idea to submit some storylines to one of the shows, introducing a character part that I might play myself. What do you think?

Answer:
Hmm...unknown writes soap storyline, gets cast in the show and becomes a household name. Yes, I can certainly see this happening in a soap storyline - but while you are not the first actor I know who has thought up this strategy, I'm afraid I don't see much chance of it coming true in real life. Veronica McKenzie a performer who has also been a storyliner for Coronation Street agrees: ''It's good that you're thinking strategically. Unfortunately most soaps in the UK are highly unlikely to incorporate unsolicited storylines into the show as normally storyline teams or show writers come up with story ideas, often well in advance of the plots being broadcast. They will also be wary of unsolicted submissions because of copyright issues. Availability of lead actors and contracts ending or beginning often play as big a part in storylining as creative issues, and you won't know that information from the outside.

Also the actor/writer package is too complicated for productions which by their nature have to operate on a very ''production line'' basis - you would be better off approaching them as one or the other. If you want to act in soaps, you need to get an agent who already has clients in soaps. But to show off your writing ability, most programmes would prefer you to submit an original script. If you're really interested in linking acting and writing I would propose that you originate a drama serial or soap for which you would be one of the lead characters (although you may want to write the main lead with a ''name'' in mind). In this way you are part of the package and should any production company be interested you're more likely to secure a longer contract out of it.

Of course as even the most well known performers will tell you, getting any projects through the increasingly convoluted production process is difficult, so the other advantage of learning to write scripts properly is that it if you don't make progress with terrestrial TV you can always look at making an independent production for distribution on the internet, through festivals or on DVD. It may not lead to ''big bucks'' (in fact it may well cost you) but it is a good way of getting your work out there and having something to show for your efforts.''

If all that has whetted your appetite to polish up your scriptwriting skills, Veronica is runs scriptwriting workshops through her company Inspired Online. For details of upcoming workshops contact her at 020 8347 7722 or at ronkenzie@hotmail.com