Is there any specific way to format 30 minute sit-com episodes?

I've seen them written so many different ways, hell, there are a million templates on Final Draft for different shows, all written differently. For example, 'Scrubs' is written pretty much like a normal film screenplay, as is 'My Name is Earl'. Then others such as 'Friends' are written in a completely different, bizarre way.

So I was wondering, when writing a sit-com, can you just adopt any one of these writing styles? Or do seperate styles fit with seperate production companies, and types of sit-coms (ie, target audience, directors/ stars involved)?

I'm a little confused, hehe.

Toby.

Dude,

I've did this topic a while back.  People added some interesting comments.  You'll have to look down the page of the Screenwriting Class tab.

JT

I wanted a bit more tips on formatting Jay. Your thread didn't really touch on formatting, just length of scripts, and basic structure. Cheers anyway mate, the thread had some good info.

Most people write them in regular screenplay format to avoid any confusion and unneeded discussion in the threads.

Some TV series go by a 5 act structure (I have done it that way before)

I'm pretty sure it is all up to you.

Well you're right, Sit-coms have many different ways to be written, some examples "The Office" is written like a screenplay only with a few different uses of slug lines and actions. And other show like "That 70's Show" have a completely different format from a film screenplay.

If I were to suggest anything it would be to try out different websites that show you how to write sit-com format. zhura.com has different types of formats film format, play format, radio format, comic book format, and what you're looking for, sit-com format. They let you try the software out for free on that site so you should check it out.

Xavier

There is a standard for writing them, though the format will depend a lot on who is calling the shots. If the production staff wants standard screenplay format, then that's what they'll get. We can't really plan for the individual companies' preferences, but look at the standard and go from there.

The standard form of a sit-com is a bend to the screenplay format. First, it's all double-spaced. This is because sit-coms are shot on a tighter schedule and actors need room for notes. Yeah, sounds weird that we would plan for that, but that's one of the differences.

Second, there are act headings for each section. This is to show where the commercial breaks are intended to go. Yes, those are often planned by the writer since you've got to write the story to a point where it hangs to draw the audience back after the break.

Each act (and the teaser and/or epilogue, if the show has one or both) is headed like this:

ACT ONE

and

END OF ACT ONE

followed by a page break.

Everything else is just like a screenplay. Now, obviously you don't have to double space it if you are writing to show off what you can do, but I would consider the act breaks for both sit com and any episodic television format to be mandatory. A lot of the series scripts will use at least this latter part (well, I know for sure that mine does anyway).