When sending off a sitcom script do you have to nail 30 minutes?
Or should I ask, does it really matter if it clocks 35 minutes?
Obviously in the unlikely event of it being developed any further, many changes would take place anyway, so does it matter that much on the initial send?
Quote: random @ March 30 2009, 2:54 PM BSTWhen sending off a sitcom script do you have to nail 30 minutes?
Or should I ask, does it really matter if it clocks 35 minutes?
Obviously in the unlikely event of it being developed any further, many changes would take place anyway, so does it matter that much on the initial send?
As long as it's not like 50 minutes or something, then it's fine.
Cheers Seefacts.
Rough rule of thumb is 35 pages or 7000 words: shorter is always better.
Next SITCOM workshop MAY 2nd LONDON
MANCHESTER JUNE 20th
Quote: random @ March 30 2009, 4:02 PM BSTCheers Seefacts.
I had to cut 10-15 pages from my script before it was pitched to the BBC. And the producer actually did it for me.
If it's good, then it's fine.
Quote: Marc Blake @ March 30 2009, 4:05 PM BSTRough rule of thumb is 35 pages or 7000 words: shorter is always better.
Next SITCOM workshop MAY 2nd LONDON
MANCHESTER JUNE 20th
35 pages, shit that can't be, can it?
Did hope to get her down to about 47, currently at 53 (was 76)
I've the first 10 pages up in critique if you fancy having a wee look, even if you don't read it as such (altho' that would be nice 
) I mean just to see how it's set out on the page.
Quote: random @ March 30 2009, 4:18 PM BST35 pages, shit that can't be, can it?
Did hope to get her down to about 47, currently at 53 (was 76)
I've the first 10 pages up in critique if you fancy having a wee look, even if you don't read it as such (altho' that would be nice
What format are you doing it in?
I'm begining to wonder I thought it was the 'norm' for a sitcom, is it?
Quote: random @ March 30 2009, 4:39 PM BSTI'm begining to wonder
If it's the one in Crit, you'd be looking at more pages.
There's a 2 Pints script on the BBC website in that format and it's 50 pages.
If it's written in that US style way then it's be 35 pages.
In the style you've picked it'd be 45 pages probably.
Yeah it is that one.
Cheers Seefacts.
I was told to use Final Drafts BBC Sitcom template and that comes up at about 56 pages for half an hour/7000 words.
I time mine to be around 27 - 28 minutes per episode.
(Bear in mind, credits/theme tune both ends will be added to that.)
Ideal timing for the Beeb, but if it's a commercial channel, a sitcom will need to be cut to about 22 minutes.
Also...
7000 words seems a lot for a half hour episode.
I've found that episodes of my two sitcoms (formatted in BBC ScriptSmart UK Sitcom style) average out at the 40 page mark with average 4000 - 4500 words. Some episodes going just under the 4000 mark.
I was just thinking that 7000 words was a lot. The one I'm working on at the moment is about 4800 words and 29 pages, but it uses the same formatting as the Smoking Room script on Writersroom which is dead on 30 pages.