Hey Guys,

I have been planning an Australian Comedy TV sitcom for some time and thought I would get stuck into writing the pilot though need some advice !!!!

This is the first TV sitcom I have written. I am using FD8 and was wondering which template I should use??? There are soooo many templates for different TV shows so it has thrown me a bit.

Should I use a template for a previously done Australian Sitcom, and if so which and where can i get it from, or alternatively what would you recommend.

Secondly I am looking at it being a one hour show so with commercials etc... Do I need to be achieving around 40 pages in length ???? I assume a 30 minute would require around 20 pages ???

Never thought of this up to now !!!!

You input will be appreciated.

Regards Alex
(Downunder)

Hey Alex

One hour scripts should come in at around 60 pages and should be structured as follows:
Teaser - commercial break - Act I - commercial - Act II - commercial - Act III - commercial - Act IV - commercial - Tag.

Here are some sites for you.

http://www.scriptshark.com/media/assets/teleplay.pdf

http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/node/2000004

http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/television-script-format.html

https://sites.google.com/site/tvwriting/us-comedy/pilot-scripts

It doesn't matter which template you use.  My loserville series is also a one hour sitcom and I used the first one I clicked on, which happened to be 3rd rock from the sun :D

Just remember always start a new act on a new page.

Hope this helps, any questions just pm me

Mark

Thanks Mark,

You are always a helpful and knowledgeable guy and very quick to respond.
Your'e a Legend !!!!!!

I'll give these links a read and possibly use the same template.

Thanks for your help.

Alex

Hey All,

Are all the action lines normally capped ?? On the links above, some are capped and some are normal ?????

I also noticed all Marks action lines are all capped.

Regards Alex

Hey Alex

The proper tv format is to capitalize the actions, but they wont hold it against you if u don't...  it's not easy on the eye

The important part of tv writing is giving the audience something to tune into, in other words before each commercial  have an ending that wouldn't make you turn over the channel...

Mark

Thanks Mark,

Good to know that, I don't think I'll cap them, it is harder to read.

I wrote the teaser and ended it with a giggle. It'll keep the audience tuned.

I have to say the main character uses a crap load of Aussie slang, so if you guys read it you'd say WTF.
For example in Aussie slang a "dogs eye" is a meat pie and a "dead horse" is tomato sauce.

It's another language.

Alex

Hey guys,

I completed the teaser and Act 1 though was wondering do the scenes within each Act usually correspond with the Slugs??? as well as starting on a new page each time ????

For example if I have say 4 Slugs within Act 1 will these be "ACT 1 - SCENE A", "ACT 1 - SCENE B", "ACT 1 - SCENE C", "ACT 1 - SCENE D", and correspond with the Slugs ???

This may be basic question though it's all new to me. Sorry.

Alex

Hey Alex

Just me again:D:D:D:D

Don't add the scenes, it just becomes a cluster and makes it even harder to read... I did that originally and feedback from a contest told me to drop it.

Mark

Thanks Mark,

You must be the only person on SS that knows about this, since all the responses are from you. Hee Hee.

Really appreciate it mate and I'll just use the ACTS from now on and drop the scenes.

Thanks heaps.

Dont you worry,

I'm here for you bro :D:D:D

Mark