Successful Sitcom Writing: How To Write And Sell For TV's Hottest Format

Successful Sitcom Writing: How To Write And Sell For TV's Hottest Format by Wolff, Jurgen. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780312144265.

Sitcoms have never been hotter in Hollywood, and the demand for writers has never been greater. With fees starting at $16,000 for a half-hour script, sitcoms can be a lucrative option for freelancers. The hundreds of shows produced every year, each of which needs a team of writers, provide a tremendous opportunity to break into the industry. But successful sitcom writing begins long before Act I, Scene I. Hollywood insider Jurgen Wolff will start you off right. Hell show you why some ideas are promising and some should be rejected immediately, even when theyre funny. Youll learn how to analyze and develop characters. And youll find out how the pros punch up their work with subplots, physical comedy, and timing. The technical ins and outs of the sitcom format are also explained, including act structure, subplots, sets, entrances, and exits. Youll learn the manuscript formats the networks use, so your work will look as professional as it reads. And youll get solid advice on how to find an agent, take a pitch meeting, and land your script on a producers desk-- even if you dont live in Los Angeles. Novice and veteran sitcom writers alike keep Jurgen Wolffs book handy. Read it, and youll see why.