Tips for Effective Sitcom Writing

Dec 31, 2010
Lynne Smelser

Understand sitcoms to write them well - L.M. Smelser

Writing a sitcom can be a challenging, but fun way to break into entertainment writing. To make this a positive experience, learn the basics and grow.

Contrary to what one may think, sitcoms are not so much about telling jokes as they are about telling a compelling story that is funny. Therefore, writers must work out a storyline before embarking on the actual creation of the script.

Structure

According to Robert McKay, author of the book Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting, writers need to remember GOS:

Goal: Your main character needs to have a goal that s/he wishes to accomplish. For example, in the television show 30 Rock, main character Liz Lemon may be trying to make a successful appearance at her high school reunion.
Obstacle: Before the goal can be reached, the character needs to face blocks in his/her pathway to success. This means that Liz Lemon's boss Jack Donaghy now wants to come along and that upon arriving at the event Liz discovers that without realizing it, she had been the class bully in high school.
Solution: In a sitcom this is the happy ending part. At this point lose ends are tied up--unless the episode is a season cliff hanger--and the viewer feels a sense of completion. In the 30 Rock example, Jack comes to Liz's rescue and the two leave the reunion with the realization that the opinion of others does not matter.

This fits very nicely into the three act structure of a sitcom:

Act 1: Problem introduced. Here the writer needs to get the main character up a creek.
Act 2: Problem complicated. Now the main character loses his/her paddle.
Act 3: Problem solved. The main character is out of the boat and onto the land happily.

Dialogue

Dialogue should sound natural and clearly demonstrate the different perspectives of a specific character. After writing a scene, a writer should read the dialogue aloud. If s/he cannot effectively deliver it, an actor should not be expected to either. Creating a profile of a character will substantially help a writer to better understand how a particular character might talk in a given situation.

Treatment

After completing a storyline, a writer may find it helpful to write a treatment to organize all of the elements of the script. A treatment is a document which lays out the main features of a script. It includes the logline (which is a one sentence hook describing the script), as well as the following items (noted by Scriptologist website):

Settings.
Overview of the concept.
The tone of the story.
The main conflict.
Action sequences.
The main characters.
The climax, which is the confrontation between the hero and the villain.
The resolution of the main conflict.

Writing Classes

To receive additional guidance and vital practice in the craft of script writing, one should consider taking a course with an experienced instructor. Before enrolling always consider the following:

The credentials of the school or organization offering the course.
The credentials of the person teaching the course.
The reputation the school or organization has in the writing community.
The specific learning outcomes promised by the school or organization.

Script Registration

Upon completing a script, a writer should immediately register his/her work. This can be done through the Writers Guild of America (WGA). Simply going to the WGA website one can easily find a link to register work. Typically registration costs $22 for non-WGA members ($10 for members) and the registration remains in effective for 10 years.

Script contests

After completing a script, one potential method for selling it, is to enter a script writing contest. There are many that can be found simply by searching the Internet; however, it is vital to find legitimate contests that have industry professionals reading the entries. Always check the reputation and background of any contest you wish to enter.

One Final Note

Any writer wishing to create a successful sitcom needs to learn the genre and learn it well. Writers should take time to watch several sitcoms and make notes about what works and what does not. Just observing the structure and the rhythm of a sitcom is extremely helpful.