Feature Comedy Advice

Richard Alan Phipps · 07-05-2012, 08:52 PM

So, I flirted around with the idea of writing a tv pilot, along with several additional eps, to pitch a comedy series to the suits running our entertainment lives. Went so far as to actually film the pilot with friends and students from a local community college, not to pitch, but to test some storylines and lines.

A few months ago, I finished my fourth feature script. It was around that same time that I realized I wanted to write the aforementioned comedy work into a feature script.

I'm now wrapping up my second draft on that script and want to reach out to all of you for some help.

A.) What is the general specs for a comedy? Dialogue to action quota any higher or lower than the norm? Page count 100-110 or should it be shorter?

B.) Are there any specific works out there that would be considered "prime reading material" as I mold and flesh out this work? Scripts? Books specifically for comedy screenplays?

C.) Who do I reach out to? Are there certain production houses, agents, managers that work with comedy? Should I reach out to a list of specific actors for potential reads (heard this is more common with comedy)?

Thanks in advance for all your advice.

dennis7490 · 07-07-2012, 07:47 PM

There's a writing group in the SFV that does readings of only comedy scripts. I used to have the info, but lost it, so google writing groups SFV and look around. They meet Tuesday nights and if you join you pay $30 a month. I was going to join until I found out they did only comedy, and I write mostly action and drama. But it seems like a very professional and god group.

I would say you use more dialogue in a comedy than action. Certainly go and see TED and get a copy of the screenplay. Get the scripts of your favorite comedies and study them. SCRIPTFLY and (I think) the Writer's Store sells scripts. Not sure about The Writer's Store, but SCRIPTFLY has almost everything.

07-05-2012, 08:52 PM	#1
Richard Alan Phipps figuring it all out Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 63	Feature Comedy Advice So, I flirted around with the idea of writing a tv pilot, along with several additional eps, to pitch a comedy series to the suits running our entertainment lives. Went so far as to actually film the pilot with friends and students from a local community college, not to pitch, but to test some storylines and lines. A few months ago, I finished my fourth feature script. It was around that same time that I realized I wanted to write the aforementioned comedy work into a feature script. I'm now wrapping up my second draft on that script and want to reach out to all of you for some help. A.) What is the general specs for a comedy? Dialogue to action quota any higher or lower than the norm? Page count 100-110 or should it be shorter? B.) Are there any specific works out there that would be considered "prime reading material" as I mold and flesh out this work? Scripts? Books specifically for comedy screenplays? C.) Who do I reach out to? Are there certain production houses, agents, managers that work with comedy? Should I reach out to a list of specific actors for potential reads (heard this is more common with comedy)? Thanks in advance for all your advice.

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07-07-2012, 07:47 PM	#2
dennis7490 practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 177	There's a writing group in the SFV that does readings of only comedy scripts. I used to have the info, but lost it, so google writing groups SFV and look around. They meet Tuesday nights and if you join you pay $30 a month. I was going to join until I found out they did only comedy, and I write mostly action and drama. But it seems like a very professional and god group. I would say you use more dialogue in a comedy than action. Certainly go and see TED and get a copy of the screenplay. Get the scripts of your favorite comedies and study them. SCRIPTFLY and (I think) the Writer's Store sells scripts. Not sure about The Writer's Store, but SCRIPTFLY has almost everything.