sit-com writing

[Stylo]

Okay, I'm confused... how many pages should a half hour sit-com be? I write with final draft, and when I use a bbc half hour sit-com template, every time I transition with a 'cut to', the following scene jumps to the next page, thus creating huge gaps. Methinks the usual page/minute will not work with this format... any thoughts?

[Joe Calabrese]

I would imagine that The BBC sitcom template in FD is essentially for shooting scripts.

I would write it in screenplay and then when your done convert to sitcom.


I am not familiar with British television so I can't tell you anything regarding length, scenes per act or anything of the such. Perhaps one of our English members can fill you in.

[Stylo]

Thanks Joe... I'd never thought of that! One of the many good things about this board... now I know how an ant feels!

[odocoileus]

Check the format guides on Scriptsmart in the BBC Writers Room.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart/formats.shtml

[dpaterso]

In BBC sitcom scripts the CUT TO: transition is used to signal the end of the current scene, so your template is behaving as designed, since a new scene will start on the next page.

As odocoileus suggests, visit BBC Writersroom (http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom) (if you haven't already) to check out the formats, and you can also read the sample produced BBC screenplays in the Script Archive. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/script_archive.shtml) I think there are articles somewhere that mention running times, e.g. 50 sitcom pages equals 30 minutes, that kind of reckoning.

PS - I'm Scottish not English but I replied anyway. :)

-Derek

[zagoraz]

Are you writing for a BBC-styled show or just using the template? An American 1/2 hour sitcom script is typically 25-35 pages. I use the King of Queens template in Final Draft. Some templates will make the dialogue spacing real wide, and I really don't like that. You're essentially looking to write 22 minutes of material, but because sitcoms are so often dialogue-heavy and move so fast, the typical one minute per page thing is a little bit off. I'd venture to say it's a page and a 1/4 page per minute of screen time, but I'd be guessing.

[wordmonkey]

My understanding is that for Aunty Beeb scripts, you do a page-break on a scene cut. This isn't a shooting script, this is just the way they work it. I would do as suggested though, write without the page-breaks to get the general vibe for the time, then break the scenes per BBC format.

In the US, even though a sitcom runs under the 30 minute time slot it has (because of ads) you still aim towards the 30 minute mark BUT you write at a page and a half per minute. So a 30 minute sitcom script is gonna run roughly 45 pages (and no page-breaks on the scene changes).

[odocoileus]

In the US,

For a single camera sitcom like Scrubs the scripts are 30 pages or so. The script format would be basically the same as with US hour dramas.

Multicamera sitcom scripts like Two and a Half Men run 45 pages or so.

[Joe270]

Stylo, make sure the show you intend to write for accepts spec.

99.99% of sitcoms do not accept spec. They will not accept or read any quiry, and they will not accept or read any scripts. They fear spec writers will sue over material which is re-hashed over and over.

Don't waste your time if they don't send you a bible.

[NikeeGoddess]

joe - what does anything you said have to do with the question? and besides, this is a brit writer asking about brit sitcom standards. i know they have different methods of hiring writers and procuring sitcom material. sometimes you don't need to say anything. curb that desire to always have something to say.

<<<the NikeeGoddess just shakes her head>>>

okay, i'm done being a pissyant - AS YOU WERE!

[Joe270]

Nike, perhaps the lad or lass is not so experienced as you. Ever think of that? Ever think, period?

I only suggested, and I feel rightly so after a layer of Glenfiddich, that you should carefully select what you write for spec TV. Been there, wasted that time. I hope others may learn from my mistakes. Of course, you have never made one.

Anyone else thinks it's a good idea to write for sitcoms without a bible?

Post on, oh, enlightened one. I will shut up and not darken these hollowed Nike steps again. TTFNONMFA.

[dpaterso]

Ladies, please. There's nothing to argue here since neither of you know the OP's intentions. All input is good input. OP can take what's useful and ignore the rest.

-Derek

[Joe270]

Sorry, dpat. I'll duck out of this one. Took it a touch personal, shouldn't have. I'll slump away now.

Don't bother to check if you have a market, anyone . . . I'm leaving, sorry, dpat. Really sorry. Bye.

[dpaterso]

Ah, Glenfiddich, a fine malt. Don't be surprised if, come the morn, things look a tad different.

-Derek

[Joe270]

Best if drunk in the homeland, wandering the narrow avenues of the wonderous Edinborough to the vista. Or a walkabout at Floors Castle, a touch to the south. Was a guest there, once.

Never could golf, stand as a terrible embarrasment to the ancestors. I wear a kilt or wield a golf club, I can hear the Scot ancestors wailing. But I can drink some Glen and it goes away with a soothed sigh. Thanks, grandgrandgranddads!

[Joe Calabrese]

Man!

If we could take parts of every regular member here and, in some weird sci-fi experiment, create a Frankenstein Screenwriter, we would be awesome at writing and could rule the marketplace, however we would most surely rip out our eyes to spite our face.

[Stylo]

Blimey, things get a bit heated round here don't they? (great fun!)

Thanks for the advice everyone... I think I will try pasting an episode onto screenplay format, and seeing how the time runs.

BTW it's a new sitcom idea, and if the beeb isn't interested I'll try channel 4, 5, 6.......72, 73... I know this isn't the easiest thing to crack, but i'm singleminded enough to give it my best shot!

Cheers,
Stylo.

[clockwork]

The BBC are desperate for sitcoms and will read anything you send them. Just don't hold your breath once you do as the response time and responses themselves (as some of us here can tesifty, *cough, splutter* dpat and clock *cough, retch*) are maddeningly non-specific.

[zagoraz]

Clockwork,

How would one go about submitting a sitcom to the BBC?

[Stylo]

I went through BBC Writers room:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/submissions_writersroom.shtml

Hope that helps.

[clockwork]

Yup.

[scarletpeaches]

PS - I'm Scottish not English but I replied anyway. :)

-Derek

I'm glad someone said it. ;)

Best if drunk in the homeland, wandering the narrow avenues of the wonderous Edinborough to the vista. Or a walkabout at Floors Castle, a touch to the south. Was a guest there, once.

Never could golf, stand as a terrible embarrasment to the ancestors. I wear a kilt or wield a golf club, I can hear the Scot ancestors wailing. But I can drink some Glen and it goes away with a soothed sigh. Thanks, grandgrandgranddads!

One day, I might try drinking some falling-down juice in the Edinburgh dungeons. It's like a home from home...

The BBC are desperate for sitcoms and will read anything you send them. Just don't hold your breath once you do as the response time and responses themselves (as some of us here can tesifty, *cough, splutter* dpat and clock *cough, retch*) are maddeningly non-specific.

I told you. Write a script that involves James Purefoy's shirt falling off mid-scene and they'll be onto you and up your trouser leg like a whippet!

:D