I spend a lot of time trying to think up sitcom plotlines. Most ideas don't really work.
I've noticed that three basic things do work:
Characters argue a point.
A character tries to change another character.
A character has to do something he doesn't want to do.
Are there any fundamental situations I have missed?
All sitcoms are about relationships.
Well, I didn't think I was writing about molecular biology.
Ok, let's put it another way: what are relationships actually about?
Quote: Lawrence Diamond @ 9th August 2014, 1:12 PM BSTI spend a lot of time trying to think up sitcom plotlines. Most ideas don't really work.
I've noticed that three basic things do work:
Characters argue a point.
A character tries to change another character.
A character has to do something he doesn't want to do.Are there any fundamental situations I have missed?
A character is secretly in love with another character.
A character wants to escape from another character.
A character wants the keep another character the same.
A character wants fulfillment.
A character has something that they don't want to tell another character.
A character is wants to change their environment.
A character wants to be better at something than another character.
A character is dying.
A character is pregnant, but they don't know.
A character is being abused by the another character (this may be secretly).
A character is in love with two characters.
A character is secretly gay.
A character is secretly straight.
And so on, and so on...
> A character wants the keep another character the same.
Ok. Funny I didn't think of that.
> A character wants to be better at something than another character.
Solid.
> A character is dying.
Wtf?
> A character is secretly gay.
Um. Has that ever actually happened in a sitcom? And what happens the next episode? He just goes back to not wanting to suck dick? I'm not feeling this.
Quote: Lawrence Diamond @ 9th August 2014, 1:12 PM BSTI spend a lot of time trying to think up sitcom plotlines. Most ideas don't really work.
I've noticed that three basic things do work:
Characters argue a point.
A character tries to change another character.
A character has to do something he doesn't want to do.Are there any fundamental situations I have missed?
I think you are looking at it from the wrong angle. A plot is about character and relationship.
So rather than looking for cookie cutter plots, you could be thinking "what can happen to character A that will move them emotionally."
Someone moving the guest towels won't bother Frasier Crane, but would drive Monica Gellar crazy.
I'm not looking for cookies Jennie, believe me.
But what does moving the towels actually mean?
- it makes characters argue a point
- it represents a character trying to change another character
- it represents a character having to do the thing he most doesn't want to do.
Those are just some options off the top of my head.
This one's a brilliant idea:
> A character wants the keep another character the same.
Pure genius. I'm surprised I didn't think of it myself, actually.
This is what relationships are all about. We try to change people to make them more like ourselves, we bitch endlessly about how difficult it is to recreate people in our own image but if we were to actually achieve that then we would have no reason to ever interact with that person again. What we actually do is to seek out people who require a little work. But what happens when you find someone who does change? Who no longer needs work? You immediately tell them that they should Just Be Themselves. Be yourself so you need me to change you. That's what relationships are actually about.
Quote: Lawrence Diamond @ 9th August 2014, 2:27 PM BSTPure genius. I'm surprised I didn't think of it myself, actually.
You were too busy thinking about molecular biology probably and screaming for more formula.
In sitcom usually the most useful relationship to get a handle on is the character's relationship with himself. Then the others around him or her that play into that. It's not rocket science.
Quote: Lawrence Diamond @ 9th August 2014, 2:11 PM BSTI'm not looking for cookies Jennie, believe me.
But what does moving the towels actually mean?
- it makes characters argue a point
- it represents a character trying to change another character
- it represents a character having to do the thing he most doesn't want to do.Those are just some options off the top of my head.
It could be all or none of these things. As I said, you need a character with exaggerated flaws. Then make life difficult for them in a funny way, based on those flaws. As someone prone to over analysis myself, I find that forming sweeping "big picture" ideas rarely helps the quality of my writing.
Rolf Harris used to do that. WHatever happened to him?
If I may be so bold, Lawrence, the best way to untangle your script's plot is to post a bit of it in Critique and get feedback. I promise that will be a hundred times more useful than thinking up plot lines in this way.
Plot is essentially:
1. Chase man up tree.
2. Throw rocks at him.
3. See how he manages to get down.
As to what kind of rocks, what breed of tree and what kind of thing would chase him uo there in the first place - well, that's all about character.
Which is where you should always start.
Quote: Lawrence Diamond @ 9th August 2014, 1:12 PM BSTI spend a lot of time trying to think up sitcom plotlines. Most ideas don't really work.
I've noticed that three basic things do work:
Characters argue a point.
A character tries to change another character.
A character has to do something he doesn't want to do.Are there any fundamental situations I have missed?
Only the bottom one is vital to the plot. IMO
But I think it's completely wrong to draft a sitcom series thinking of plots. Think of stories to suit your characters and stories come with their own little plots. If you can't easily think of stories then obviously fiction writing isn't your thing or at the very least your characters are weak. Either one of these will kill your sitcom at birth. (Unless you're a high profile stand up).
One of Sitcom's most notorious wrongs is to insert episode plotline then insert dialogue. Remember the slayings Terry & June got for doing this? If you don't have a spring of natural stories jumping up at you then you didn't have a decent sitcom to start with. IMO.
Quote: Lawrence Diamond @ 9th August 2014, 1:12 PM BSTI spend a lot of time trying to think up sitcom plotlines. Most ideas don't really work.
You see, you already know it.
Could I ask what your native language is, Kipper?
Are you from the same country as Andy Kaufman's character in Taxi?