What should I be working on?

I'm relatively new to this comedy writing thing. I mean sure, I've been fascinated by it for years and I've spent more hours of my life reading books, articles, listening to podcasts and visiting forums (ahem) dedicated to the subject than I care to think of. But actually putting pen to paper always seemed to be a far less important part of the process.

So when my new attitude kicked in a few weeks ago I started to pen my first sitcom. But I thought I'd throw this out as a question to everyone, what do you think newbies should write? Begin with one liners and master the set-up, punchline? Short sketches to help eliminate unnecessary fluff language? Or get stuck straight into a sitcom project and write your very first magnum 'opeless?

Similarly which competitions and shows take submissions that you would consider a good way to keep motivated and hone your skills? For instance I tend to hear lots of good about Newsjack, whereas lots mention the futility of sending to the BBC Writersroom (or has this changed since the new system?)

Personally I find sketches difficult to write and writing skits is a different discipline to sitcom, so decide what you want write.

Structure is king. Start with your story structure.

Finish your first draft. Then start it again, because draft 1 is always shit. It's not until draft 3-4 until you start to really see a end product.

As for competitions can't really help I don't enter them and have been lucky enough to now be producing a pilot of my animated comedy.

Your tan?

Seriously though write whatever feels right. Let it take its own form.

When you comfortable move onto the structure. Once you have the characters they'll tell you their own stories.

When I'm starting something new I get my characters in a room somewhere. Give them a power cut or a zombie attack or something. Make sure they're trapped and then just start writing. Just ramble on for ages. The majority of this won't be used much but a, it's good fun, b, you find stuff out about your characters, c, decent plots sometimes spring out of this.

Sketches are worth doing as they teach you discipline. You have to tell a little story, bang out 3-4 funny lines and give a punchline in as short a time as possible.

As for competitions. I think sitcom trials is a cracking idea. Can be brutal though, so grow an extra skin.

Write something that you would like to watch on TV and make it as good as that as you can.

"Structure is king" is definitely something I'm starting to come around to. The first script I wrote was essentially just a bunch of funny scenes I tried to artificially link together without ever having a real plot or direction to aim for.

It was shit.

Now on the other hand I've got a setting pegged down, characters, themes and a plot and I'm finding it far interesting to to work on. Jokes are growing organically out of the situations rather than being shoehorned in and I know exactly what I'm trying to say.

Still shit, but it's getting there.

I know I'm there when I turn the computer on because I want to see what the characters have got to say to me.

Quote: Marc P @ July 31 2012, 10:02 PM BST

Write something that you would like to watch on TV and make it as good as that as you can.

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That.

Have you ever watched a sketch show and thought, "I could write better sketches than that!". Well then, give it a go. Same applies for sitcom.

What is your favourite sitcom? Take inspiration from that. Especially if it's no longer being made. Revive that style of comedy/humour. It doesn't matter at this stage if you end up replicating the exact style, you'll soon discover your own voice.

So is it OK to write a script for an existing sitcom, using the same settings and characters, or should I focus on trying to make an original without worrying too much if it's almost exactly the same?

Do people frown on scripts of existing shows going up in critique?

Quote: CJ Beadle @ August 1 2012, 7:28 AM BST

So is it OK to write a script for an existing sitcom, using the same settings and characters, or should I focus on trying to make an original without worrying too much if it's almost exactly the same?

Do people frown on scripts of existing shows going up in critique?

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By and large this is a waste of time. Unlike in the US, no one in the UK industry is interested in reading a spec script of an existing show. The only excuse for writing such a thing is for practice, and if you're going to write to learn you might as well be working on something original.

Although don't new writers often end up getting drafted to writing teams on successful shows? Maybe it would be a good idea to practice writing in anothers style?

Writing in other styles is useful. I work with 4 other people on 1 project and 3 on another and each have their own style but have to have a 'project style', so being able to switch is a good thing.

Yes...structure is key. Writing a treatment of a whole series before you even start scripting is a good idea, if you have the patience. This way, you can keep going back to relevant sections and rewriting bits and pieces to set up sub plots you have decided to put in later. If you dive into writing the script too soon, you will find it a right pain to keep going back to change dialogue and slot new lines in, just to suit a future gag.

Some people can easily script from scratch. The writers of the League of Gentlemen/Psychoville tend to do this, but they have a very unique style and are writing for each other. It helps if you're familiar with the versatility/limitations of the people you're writing for. Although they like to see where a script takes them...I don't find myself thinking...oh dear...that doesn't make sense...mostly because none of it is really supposed to and it works very well...for them.

I agree that the Sitcom Trials is a very good way to get started. I'm joining in with that this time and it would be fantastic to see your work. Just remember not everyone has the same taste in comedy. For example, my boyfriend hates some of the things I laugh my guts up to and will sit there constantly poking fun at every single gag and situation. It doesn't bother me...I just put spiders in his dinner and spit in his tea.

I don't think you should rely on submissions to those sites offering to post your hard work on a page for one day if you win their competition...after insisting you pay them £10 for the privilege of emailing it to them. (Sitcom Trials is free). Remember, the higher the prize money, the more people who will have entered, so try to keep a handle on your finances.

I can't think of much else to say...so I'll just shut up now.

So as some of you may know I've been making a little pocket money writing on sites like elance. Thing is I've had no luck with writing full length screen plays. And I suspect it's because I've got no spec script to offer.
So I should really write a 100 page spec script, but there's something defeating about writing a script that won't ever get made.

Quote: sootyj @ August 1 2012, 7:58 PM BST

So I should really write a 100 page spec script, but there's something defeating about writing a script that won't ever get made.

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It is the only way forward on the screenwriting front, though.
I had three written before I sold one ( the first one!) - and that one is very unlikely to get made now.
But I'm still getting work off the back of it.