Hey, sorry if this is already a thread, I tried looking! I'm dabbling in writing a series right now and had some questions on the formatting for a pilot. I've seen some pilots that have ACT ONE, TWO, etc. and was wondering if that's necessary? If so, is that something you generally place where a commercial would go? Also, when pitching a pilot is there generally an amount of episodes that should be written prior?

Thanks!

Hi Kev

I`ve had this argument and won, so Ill tell you...
This IS the proper way to write it...

Teaser or Cold open (The opening before the credits)
Act one
Act Two
Tag(usually after the credits)

You also have to include scenes....scene a scene b and so on

But and I emphasize 'but'   it is not pleasant on the eye, especially for readers that are used to screenplays. There are also a lot of underlining and bold.

I know this, because I got a lot of comments based on my own sitcom that it was hard to read because of the format, Henrik and myself proved them wrong, also Pia did some research and found out I was right. I`m not trying to gloat, I did a lot of research and bought a few tv writing books.
You can write it as a normal screenplay( It will be easier to read)

Quoted from Kev Also, when pitching a pilot is there generally an amount of episodes that should be written prior?

No. A few episodes 2 or 3 shows them that you can write and your not a one trick pony, if it`s sold, these days you end up with a team of writers anyway.

Check this site out:


https://sites.google.com/site/tvwriting/us-comedy/show-collections

If wanna check my pilot out it is Loserville episode 1....Not Loserville Pilot! a little complicated. This is actually a really old draft and I have no idea how it got posted...
If you don`t wanna look at it, it`s cool too

Mark
p.s Any questions just pm me

Hey thanks!! That helped me out a lot, I've tried to do some research as well but keep finding contradicting information. I'll definitely check out your series, thanks again!

The reason you find contradicting information is because the teleplay format seems to be the most loose and inconsistent.  For example, Mark's suggestions seem to be for a sitcom - hour-long dramas don't necessarily use numbered scenes and can have something like 5 to 6 acts.  In fact, when you are writing a spec script for an established show, you're often told to track down a copy of a script so you can copy the format because they can vary so much.

But you seem to have sussed out the reason for act breaks - they are where your commercials are so you want to keep your act outs riveting so that people won't turn the doors.

:Duan

just find the show closest to yours, locate a script and copy, b/c ive seen about 10 different styles.

I've used the TV scripts on SS  as a template. Generally, you need to write different Acts and section off your script accordingly.

If you're aiming for HBO, I think you can write a 60-70 pager without any Act breaks.

I'd also add that it depends on if the show is multi-cam or single cam.

Single cam shows like The Office, Parks, and 30 Rock, are all basically in the same format as a feature script. The only differences I've found between shows like those are whether or not the scene headings are underlined, or if the scenes specify which day it is like D1 or N2, etc.

As for multi-cam shows like Big Bang Theory or Two and a Half Men, they have quite a few differences from the single cams. All of the scene headings are underlined, they usually list which characters are in the scene underneath the scene heading, the action lines are all in CAPS, and the dialogue lines are double spaced.

I've seen two and three acts depending on the show so I'm not sure how important it is to use either one unless you're writing a spec for an existing show.

I would think you'd be writing a pilot to get staffed on a show so I'm not sure how many episodes you should write. If I had to guess, I'd think it'd be more important to have several original pilots as opposed to three or four episodes of your show. Although maybe someone more informed than I can chime in on that because I have no idea.


My advice is to figure out what type of show yours will be and then use an existing show's script as a guideline. If you want to write a show like The Office, then base your pilot on the format they use.

Here's another site with a bunch of TV scripts:

http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/

I've written two pilots, and just for the hell of it I went ahead and wrote a second episode.  I also have a bible for each.  

That being said, i have no clue whatsoever to do with them.

I used the Office style though, which will probably out of favor soon, although i do believe we're about due for another talking head single camera comedy.  Office is about done and Parks and Rec is the best show on tv.  Modern Fam is good, time for another one, imo