> sitcom vs comedy drama

Advice from the BBC New Writing Initiative

A sitcom tends to deal with the relationships between comic characters who are ultimately flawed and situations which are comically heightened, tending to go for all-out laughs. The best sitcoms are often described as a “slice of life” and are those which reflect a certain aspect of today’s society. By its nature, comedy-drama has the scope to explore darker stories and issues, with characters who are more down to earth but have a comic or quirky slant. It is often more “plot heavy” than a sitcom, although this is not always the case. Any good comedy should have a certain element of drama in it. Likewise, any good drama should have its comic moments. In a nutshell, you could say that in a sitcom the bias should be towards straight comedy, and in a comedy-drama the bias should favour the drama.

Ideas

Lots of people get hung up with the idea of placing their show in an outrageous setting in an attempt to make it original, then wonder why it is not working. Originality is not about setting - it is in the execution of an idea. Sitcoms are really about characters rather than situation, so think about creating great characters first - the humour should come from them and their stories. Ask yourself whether your idea has ‘legs’ (the ability to sustain more than one series)? Most importantly, write what you think is funny, not a version of an existing show. In other words, follow your own style, not someone else’s.

Know Your Market

Think about whether what you want to submit is appropriate for network and channel. Is it pre or post-watershed? Is it an audience or non-audience show? How may sets would it need? Also, if submitting to a non-commercial channel, don’t signify a commercial break in your script.

Script Layout

Don’t get too hung up about this. It does show professionalism if your script is laid out in the correct format and is a good habit to get into. However, great format does not make a great script. The most important thing is that your script is typed clearly (don’t send handwritten scripts) and easy to read. Your script will not be rejected on the basis of the way it is laid out - it is the content which is important.

How Long?

Don’t send feature length pilots. Keep the length to 30 minutes. This means you’d be looking at roughly the 7500 word mark. Scripts need to be read aloud (with stage directions) for a rough timing. As a rule it is better to be slightly over than under in terms of script length.

What To Send

A full script with your contact details and a covering letter.

An outline of how you see your series progressing.

Submit your best possible draft, not your first. Get your script to the stage where you feel it is as good as you can make it.

What You Don’t Need To Send

Lengthy character biographies. An audience tuning in would not have this information, so it’s important to convey what your characters are about in your script.

Never send your one and only copy to anyone - e.g. if it gets lost in transit, you’ll have no way of getting it back.

Don’t feel you have to submit the pilot episode. Some people feel it is easier to write a mid-series episode first. Send the episode you feel best represents your series.

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