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From the lens Writing a Sitcom: It's no joke!.

  • meaganrochard May 3, 2012 @ 10:46 pm | delete
    Thank you! Great advice.
  • rauspitz Apr 25, 2012 @ 11:11 pm | delete
    Great advice, terrific lens!
  • NumberCruncher Apr 19, 2012 @ 3:21 am | delete
    Good lens. I think the process is a bit different over here in the UK as more shows are written by one writer or a writing partnership and less are team written. Series are much shorter - usually 6 episodes. So there is less point in writing a spec script for a current show. It is still pretty hard to get a pilot though. One option writers do have over here is trying to write for BBC Radio - budgets are much smaller but that means they are more willing to take a chance on a newcomer.
  • Liberty_Prime Feb 15, 2012 @ 11:57 pm | delete
    Very detailed lens. Thanks for writing it.
  • JoeyAllgood Jan 28, 2012 @ 5:33 pm | delete
    Very informative article and a nice summary of the many things I've personally learned while researching sitcom writing. Thanks for sharing!
  • GuyB Apr 6, 2011 @ 7:22 pm | delete
    neat lens. does the same stuff to writing sketch comedy?
  • Juberdoo Apr 6, 2011 @ 8:36 pm | delete
    I can't say that I've ever really focused on sketch comedy, but I'm of the opinion that the shorter the form, the more challenging. The comedy needs to be tighter. But comedy is all about pacing. Try an avoid the easy joke and don't forget about the story. Jokes without conflict will quickly lose an audience. Create good quality conflict and characters and the comedy will fall right into place.
  • DC Jan 24, 2011 @ 2:17 pm | delete
    As a writer breaking into the industry I want to 1st say it good to take advice from on line sites or people who claimto know it all about the industry. I love critism. It makes be better and harder on myself. But do not listen to advice that says "the truth is no one will want your script" that is not true, There are hundreds of contest available these days with people who win 1st place for their pilots and as part of the deal their pilots are send to many respected industry pro's. It may not be the next friends...but it is a foot in the door and a way to get your name known. And I am the sister of the real life "Donkey" who was re-named "Turtle" from the HBO hit series "The Entourage" This show was my brother'd idea and he never wrote a thing in his life. He just happened to be best friends with Mark Whalberg. So you see, there are many ways ...such as who you know...and maybe even who you are. But the bottom line is I am no pro but if these site's believed npobody would want your pilot ever...why even bother to give us advice? I am so glad I am a confident writer. Not everyone will like what you write and it's OK to appeal to a certain target audience. My advice as a Multimedia graduate is PERSISTENCE. It may takes years it may not but if you know you've got niche, then don't give up.
  • T.Drummer Mar 25, 2012 @ 1:26 pm | delete
    Thank you after reading this I eel more encouraged about writing my sitcom...i've been writing since I was a child and i'm 40 now so I am sure that I have what it takes and thanks to reading this I am not gonna give up on my dream!
  • minirich Dec 13, 2010 @ 5:06 am | delete
    Now i know where to start. But can you please write a lens about when to start ;-)
    5* rating.
  • Red88 Sep 28, 2010 @ 5:32 pm | delete
    Some good advice here. For more information on sitcom writing angled to UK writers check out this article http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-write-a-sitcom-tips-tricks-and-talent---getting-started-a291170
  • JoeyAllgood Jan 28, 2012 @ 5:49 pm | delete
    Thank you for posting this! Great advice about how to pick the perfect topic...
  • adcopywriting Aug 23, 2010 @ 11:46 am | delete
    Thanks for great information. Do you have any tips or similar kind of information for advertising copywriters. I would like to teach people working for me and make them better expert at writing.
  • Leo9 Apr 26, 2010 @ 5:16 am | delete
    Nice lens. Glad I found you. Sitcom and comedy writing is my passion. I'm in Australia and unfortunately too busy paying the mortgage to give much time to it at the moment. (I hope Danny made it to LA!)
  • Juberdoo Aug 1, 2009 @ 4:28 pm | in reply to Danny Burr | delete
    Danny: Best wishes to you. Los Angeles is a great place to be and if you want to write sitcoms (at least for the US market) you have to be there. It's a very challenging business and requires a thick skin, but if you have the desire and the comedy chops, you'll make it. The problem is, if you never try, you'll never know if you could have made it.

    I appreciate your comments. Before I moved to LA, I had no idea how the sitcom business worked. I was fortunate enough to get a Production Assistant job on a couple sitcoms and got to know a few of the writers well enough to get their feedback on my work. It still took a lot of time from there, but it all paid off.

    My advice now, is to get to LA as soon as you can and work you butt off in any entertainment company that will let you in the door and start to get to know a few people. Also, take a few classes on sitcom writing. Check out UCLA's extension program.

    Thanks for your comments and best wishes.
  • Danny Burr Aug 1, 2009 @ 7:55 am | delete
    I've spent the last 6 months or so, thoroughly reading up on just about everything I could find in regards to sitcom writing, including the brutal tenacity required for the business, reading over 100s of scripts, and, of course, the fun part, watching and studying sitcoms in general.

    I'm from Australia, and have been saving up for that same time to eventually make my move to Los Angeles, where I look to pursue a career in sitcom writing.

    I just wanted to add my deepest thanks on this page - In my opinion, some of the most useful information I've read are on this page alone. I guess I could just be another schmuck with high-hopes, but I don't know, I think otherwise.

    Long-story-short, great article! And a lot of great tips!
  • elugar Apr 23, 2009 @ 7:23 pm | delete
    Great sitcom tips!

by

Juberdoo

I am a Lawyer, Realtor, and former sitcom writer & TV/Film producer. Check out my blog at http://www.jackodile.com.

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