Yeah, my friend who works in telly showed me this recently. Practically every event in the clip is something I remember him telling me about over the years. Scarily accurate...
As someone who has worked in TV for the last 10 years (through running, research, assistant producing and development), it all far too true. Its a hahaha......oh shit moment.
There should be a statue Of Brooker outside BBC Television Centre with a plaque below it reading "THIS IS HOW YOU OUGHT TO BE" The man's a fucking genius.
If this defers even one person from getting into this business, Brooker should have a statue erected in his honor in Burbank. This is precisely what happens if you're not guarding your career path and making an actual plan for yourself.
I worked as a runner for a time in post production. Didn't get very far with it (you had to be willing to show your face in what's called the 'MCR' where the edit assistants worked. Hated it, always felt like I was working in IT). Ended up quitting because the pay and hours were so low. Moved out of London and scrapped together jobs editing/doing videography for student films to get experience while working in bars. Best decision I ever made going by this video and having kept in touch with others I used to work with.
If any of you think this is what Charlie Brooker had to go through before Screenwipe happened, it wasn't. He began as a magazine writer and cartoonist. This segment was probably written by one of his producers or co-writers.
Ok apologies if this comes up twice! Stupid internet. Ok so I love Charlie Brooker in this scene, not only is he amazingly funny but he also doesn't seem to need to breathe! I would love to see this behind the scenes to see A. How long it takes Mr Brooker to learn his lines, B. How many takes it takes to get it that perfect and C. To see whether he needs a breathing apparatus afterwards!
He didn't follow this career path. After university (which I don't think he even finished), he got a day job in the original Cex shop, got into writing for computer magazines and as a cartoonist. He then wrote some comedy shows (TV Go Home, Nathan Barley), became a Guardian columnist, set up his own production company, eventually Screenwipe happened.
type in charlie brooker on the wire. its the greatest show ever made trust me. watch the first season and you will be hooked. i watched the first season in 2 days, and everyone else that has bought the dvd has also.
What makes you think he's joking? Obviously, the people teaching the film course will tell you otherwise (because they're paid to. If they knew what they were actually doing they'd be working in the industry, not teaching it), but Brooker is spot on.
@Technicolor909 Hadn't heard this song for ages. Had forgotten who it was and what it was called. It was driving me mental trying to remember it. You are a Godsend sir!
I know that Billy guy! We did our Video Production project on him! We bloody love release forms! PS I have put this link on the prospectus for the TV Production degree. It will be a hit.
LOL just read Charlie Brooker's wiki. Apparently he did a degree in media but never completed it because he couldnt be arsed doing his dissertation hey theres some hope for us!
But that's the thing, he's isn't in tv, he's ON tv. He's 'The Talent'. He hasn't had to spend years groveling at the heels of TV execs, he just has to look/sound good on camera. Well, that and write hilariously funny shit.
Charlie Brooker is very clever & getting better & better! Lets pray that fame doesnt change him! On a different note - I've never seen starwars on BBC4 is rubbish on TV... much better on radio!
@revengeguy don't worry its more a slant at tv rather than media studies. you'll be fine 70% of media graduates get a job in the media field within 6 months compared top 50% of other main subjects such as English and media studies is the 7th most employable degree. (research by Westminster Uni if i remember correctly)
@Restayvien you say that, but people seem to be fond of criticising film students, perhaps because they have a grudge against people with real creative drive and ambition.
@Sl4y3rNeb You seem to be confusing Media/Film Studies with Media/Film production. I agree that a degree in Media STUDIES is perhaps not that useful. But one in PRODUCTION does require "genuine effort and talent". Anyone can pick up a textbook and derive from it, it takes a special kind of person to actually go out there and create something worthwhile.
I work for the BBC. I spat my tea out at the telly the first time I watched this, so funny and quite true on many levels.
Especially the "credits squeezing"
I have worked in TV all my life. THIS IS SPOT ON!
My dad works in the industry and everyone at his work were shocked at how accurate this video is!
I'd totally watch Sick On A Widow.
Yeah, my friend who works in telly showed me this recently. Practically every event in the clip is something I remember him telling me about over the years. Scarily accurate...
As someone who has worked in TV for the last 10 years (through running, research, assistant producing and development), it all far too true. Its a hahaha......oh shit moment.
BARRY SHITPEAS, WHAT A LEGEND! XD
Charlie Booker is spot ON! His show is great and he will only get better at taking the piss out of the crap parts of the media world.
If only my career in TV had gone this well.
It's hard to hear over the sound of my soul crying because of how true it is.
There should be a statue Of Brooker outside BBC Television Centre with a plaque below it reading "THIS IS HOW YOU OUGHT TO BE"
The man's a fucking genius.
A piece of pure, unadulterated genius!
If this defers even one person from getting into this business, Brooker should have a statue erected in his honor in Burbank. This is precisely what happens if you're not guarding your career path and making an actual plan for yourself.
i think i just saw my life flash before my eyes
Christ, this is depressingly real...
You've come a long way Brooker!
This is tragically, absolutely true!
Best documentary I've seen for years
This should be the induction welcome video to every Media degree!
totally nailed it
I work in live entertainment, not tv, but this is scarily accurate.
I've been in the business for 10 years and can honestly say this is the most accurate description of working in TV you will ever find.
Utterly, utterly true. Media students, go serve your fellow man doing useful things. TV aint it.
+Mark Griffin you're assuming that media students can get a job as a runner in TV. Most will be lucky to get a job serving food and drink.
Mark Griffin I have a media degree. Maybe I should've done plumbing instead
Excellent: sick on a widow. Charlie Brooker kills it.
hahaha freakin scarrrrry but hilarious!! love it!!!
I worked as a runner for a time in post production. Didn't get very far with it (you had to be willing to show your face in what's called the 'MCR' where the edit assistants worked. Hated it, always felt like I was working in IT). Ended up quitting because the pay and hours were so low. Moved out of London and scrapped together jobs editing/doing videography for student films to get experience while working in bars.
Best decision I ever made going by this video and having kept in touch with others I used to work with.
And it's 100% TRUE!!! I've lived it!
Oh I so want one of my old producers to see this! It's frighteningly accurate.
He's got it spot on.
You have too. It helps remind you that you're not the only one that feels this way!!!!!!!
Loving the letter at the start - is well worth pausing and reading..
Hahaha, "cant keep you warm on those cold winter nights"
What a phrase.
If any of you think this is what Charlie Brooker had to go through before Screenwipe happened, it wasn't. He began as a magazine writer and cartoonist. This segment was probably written by one of his producers or co-writers.
Ok apologies if this comes up twice! Stupid internet. Ok so I love Charlie Brooker in this scene, not only is he amazingly funny but he also doesn't seem to need to breathe! I would love to see this behind the scenes to see A. How long it takes Mr Brooker to learn his lines, B. How many takes it takes to get it that perfect and C. To see whether he needs a breathing apparatus afterwards!
The way he says "credit squeezing" at the end is hilarious!
aha 0:19 'mediated enablism' is one of the great lines which you can so easily miss
i love charlie
Anyone else get the vibe this is more Charlie expressing how he feels about his own career? Poor chap, I think he is doing quite well!
Well is an understatement 😂
He didn't follow this career path. After university (which I don't think he even finished), he got a day job in the original Cex shop, got into writing for computer magazines and as a cartoonist. He then wrote some comedy shows (TV Go Home, Nathan Barley), became a Guardian columnist, set up his own production company, eventually Screenwipe happened.
All people who work in TV know this is funny...because it's true.
I might start looking for a new career now..
type in charlie brooker on the wire. its the greatest show ever made trust me. watch the first season and you will be hooked. i watched the first season in 2 days, and everyone else that has bought the dvd has also.
What makes you think he's joking?
Obviously, the people teaching the film course will tell you otherwise (because they're paid to. If they knew what they were actually doing they'd be working in the industry, not teaching it), but Brooker is spot on.
The letter she gets is signed off by B.L Zeebub. That's not a name I would readily trust.
Well I got my lawyer Louis Cypher to take a look and he tells me that's guy's legit.
Get ready to sell your soul
LOL at the Evening Standard billboard "War Crime Bombs and Shit". How true!
I salute you, Mr. Brooker!
@Technicolor909
Hadn't heard this song for ages. Had forgotten who it was and what it was called.
It was driving me mental trying to remember it.
You are a Godsend sir!
right on the money Charlie.....great stuff.
I know that Billy guy! We did our Video Production project on him!
We bloody love release forms!
PS I have put this link on the prospectus for the TV Production degree. It will be a hit.
Sick on a Widow... I'd definitely watch that.
Charlie Brooker is a god.Sick of a widow nearly made me choke on my gum.
I kind of fear Sick on a Widow has just set off the gameshow alarm at ITV 2 and Stephen Mulhern or Matt Edmonson are already filming pilot episodes.
And now im questioning my Media Production course at Coventry University.
Believe it. This is depressingly realistic.
Wow, This is all so true!
To quote Orson Wells "It's about two percent movie- making and ninety-eight percent hustling. It's no way to spend a life".
And that's exactly how tv works! :D BA, BA BA BA BADA!
When watching this guy emote, i can't help but be flushed with national pride. Lucid, wittily ironic, 'n' that.
I don't work in TV, but I'd like to see more episodes of "Sick on a Widow".
I work in TV and is frighteningly correct!!
No its not. Its not all like this. SMH
Sick on a Widow: probably in development THIS SECOND
LOL just read Charlie Brooker's wiki. Apparently he did a degree in media but never completed it because he couldnt be arsed doing his dissertation
hey theres some hope for us!
Thank you for letting me know.
I'm now very disillusioned. Thanks Brooker.
This is the absolute truth.
"and that's exactly how TV works!" lol!
lol....my friends work at the BBC and this is very true!!!
Well he seems happy enough....
lol charlie is awesome
But that's the thing, he's isn't in tv, he's ON tv. He's 'The Talent'. He hasn't had to spend years groveling at the heels of TV execs, he just has to look/sound good on camera.
Well, that and write hilariously funny shit.
Sadly the real life version doesn't have the twitteringly positive tune playing over every horrible moment of the rest of your life.
Gotta love TV.
This hits way too close to home and I don't even work in media.
OH wow... my dream job!
Charlie Brooker is very clever & getting better & better! Lets pray that fame doesnt change him! On a different note - I've never seen starwars on BBC4 is rubbish on TV... much better on radio!
LOL at Barry Shitpeas @1.04
Peace and fuckin'; believe.
sick on a widow...fucking amazing
@revengeguy don't worry its more a slant at tv rather than media studies. you'll be fine 70% of media graduates get a job in the media field within 6 months compared top 50% of other main subjects such as English and media studies is the 7th most employable degree. (research by Westminster Uni if i remember correctly)
I think I prefer Newswipe to Screenwipe. He is only getting better.
Been said many times, but it is true. I should know, I'm currently staring at a wall.
i can't stop laughing at sick on a widow!
Man am I in for a world of pain.
Wow, four years of film school for THAT :(
a career in tv doesn't seem to have done charlie brooker any harm
@Restayvien you say that, but people seem to be fond of criticising film students, perhaps because they have a grudge against people with real creative drive and ambition.
Too true
@Sl4y3rNeb You seem to be confusing Media/Film Studies with Media/Film production. I agree that a degree in Media STUDIES is perhaps not that useful. But one in PRODUCTION does require "genuine effort and talent". Anyone can pick up a textbook and derive from it, it takes a special kind of person to actually go out there and create something worthwhile.
I work in TV as a runner where this was filmed and have to say..... it's really like that and i wonder if I have made the right career choice
oh so true...
haha so true, its a hard industry to work in. i love the challenge tho.
Sick On A Widow FTW
Skillset shoud put this on their website...
I've just got my first job at the BBC... OH DEAR!
that's how tv works BAAAAA BA BADABA BAAAA
Welcome to telly media students!!!
''Hate him!''
I have to wonder how the runners on Screenwipe felt about this skit...
The runner of the series was the same runner in this - Lauren. Worked with her years ago and she was lovely.
Same here.
This is a thinly-disguised autobiography.
sick on a widow!!!
as a media student, i find this rather worrying =/
How's your life turned out 11 years later? current media student 👀