Script hijacked

Ok I'm new to writing but have just finished a 50+ page first draft of a sitcom pilot which hasn't quite turned out as planned. Just have a few questions.

I spent about three weeks working on the profiles for my five main characters.
Thought of a plot and sub plot then started writing the script yesterday and finished it yesterday. Is this normal?

Other question is should a sitcom pilot have to be funny all the way through?

May sound like a strange question but I planned all the scenes to the plot, started writing then 'at the risk of sounding schizophrenic' those bloody characters I created hijacked the script and started doing their own things. Have now ended up with a four page final scene which is pure drama without a single laugh, it ends the pilot with a totally unexpected twist.

This really has pissed me off, problem is it's a much better ending than the one I originally thought up for the characters and it took me by suprise. I keep reading that the characters should be strong but should they become so real that they just rebel, hijack the plot and take it somewhere else? Or is there a medication to cure this?

It's a bit like asking if a painting you have painted is any good. Hard to tell really without seeeing it. But in answer to your question about the final four pages without any laughs. No. That is not good for a sitcom.

Quote: Marc P @ May 13 2009, 8:19 AM BST

But in answer to your question about the final four pages without any laughs. No. That is not good for a sitcom.

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Shit! Going to have to go back and kick some character ass!
Or maybe just leave it? From what I hear the chances of the Writers Room getting past the first ten pages is quite remote anyway. Or take out all of the funny dialogue, set it up as a really boring period drama and it's bound to filmed.

Funny is very important. But first the characters have to be believable. Not real, just believable. You did exactly the right thing there, character dictates plot.

Remember no one ever films a first draft. Now go away with your new characters, make them funny as well as believable and start writing your second draft. Good luck!

Quote: Anorak @ May 13 2009, 11:10 AM BST

Funny is very important. But first the characters have to be believable. Not real, just believable. You did exactly the right thing there, character dictates plot.

Remember no one ever films a first draft. Now go away with your new characters, make them funny as well as believable and start writing your second draft. Good luck!

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Thanks Anorak, that's very helpful. The characters are funny, just the bastards keep changing the plot.

What I mean is I plan a scene in a way to keep the plot moving, then in that scene start writing for that character, problem is I did so much work creating the characters personalities when I write for him/her in that scene occasionally they go off and do something more characteristic to their character altering the plot.

Got to hand it to you, that's some quick writing, Nonny!

I've been three weeks on my first draft, I'm only 3 scenes in to it - and re-written 20-25 times. BUT, for me, this has been a great way to write. I've kept each re-write and it's quite amazing the progress (of the gags, plot AND character development). So, definitely writing a different way from me - in that you have wrote the entire draft in such a short time, now you're going to edit. I think it might be harder this way though, in that any changes you make may have to be sublte as major changes could/would have a snowballing effect on the rest of the story?

Best of luck with it, would love to read it at some point.

All the best,
Craig

Quote: hey_nonny @ May 13 2009, 11:22 AM BST

Thanks Anorak, that's very helpful. The characters are funny, just the bastards keep changing the plot.

What I mean is I plan a scene in a way to keep the plot moving, then in that scene start writing for that character, problem is I did so much work creating the characters personalities when I write for him/her in that scene occasionally they go off and do something more characteristic to their character altering the plot.

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The characters aren't changing the plot, you are. I imagine what you're doing is thinking of a great line for a character to say and leaving it in, despite the fact that it pushes the story off in a different direction. A lot of comedy writing (and writing in general) is about killing your babies.

And I'm not entirely sure how you can write 50+ pages in a single day without it being (ahem) not exactly polished.

Quote: Lee Henman @ May 13 2009, 11:59 AM BST

A lot of comedy writing (and writing in general) is about killing your babies.

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Beautifully described Lee.

Quote: Craig H @ May 13 2009, 12:09 PM BST

Beautifully described Lee.

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It's actually a quote - from someone I've forgotten. It's very true though, I think one of the hardest disciplines to master is the ability to cut out a really great gag from a script if it compromises the story / character.

Quote: Lee Henman @ May 13 2009, 11:59 AM BST

A lot of comedy writing (and writing in general) is about killing your babies.

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They are never really killed, though. More put to one side, waiting to resurface in a future piece of work.

George Lucas used to call it "Cutting the fingers off my baby".

That said, he was talking more about studio interference, which might have been helpful in regards to the last three travesties he shat out.

Quote: Lee Henman @ May 13 2009, 12:36 PM BST

It's actually a quote - from someone I've forgotten. It's very true though, I think one of the hardest disciplines to master is the ability to cut out a really great gag from a script if it compromises the story / character.

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True. I guess that's why it's so important to have a plot summary prior to writing - and if you can add a gag while staying in line, you're good to go, or the baby lives in many cases.

I now have an image in my head of a baby jester awaiting the thumbs up/down. >_<

Quote: Lee Henman @ May 13 2009, 11:59 AM BST

And I'm not entirely sure how you can write 50+ pages in a single day without it being (ahem) not exactly polished.

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Did mention it was a first draft.
About 12- 13 hours is only around 5 pages in sitcom format an hour, that's with resisting the urge to go back and rewrite parts. Thats probably where my problem is? Not rewriting as I go along.
Still have to count the laughs and do tons of rewriting. The thing that really bothers me is I now have this four page final scene which is pure drama, no laughs but is best thing I have ever written and am agonizing about taking it out.

Quote: hey_nonny @ May 13 2009, 3:09 PM BST

The thing that really bothers me is I now have this four page final scene which is pure drama, no laughs but is best thing I have ever written and am agonizing about taking it out.

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You seem to know yourself that it doesn't fit. It's hard to cut but you might have to do it. The pages will not be lost and the idea in them could be used elsewhere ie in a drama.

Def.

Quote: hey_nonny @ May 13 2009, 3:09 PM BST

Did mention it was a first draft.
About 12- 13 hours is only around 5 pages in sitcom format an hour, that's with resisting the urge to go back and rewrite parts. Thats probably where my problem is? Not rewriting as I go along.
Still have to count the laughs and do tons of rewriting. The thing that really bothers me is I now have this four page final scene which is pure drama, no laughs but is best thing I have ever written and am agonizing about taking it out.

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5 pages per hour I would say *is* alot Nonny,that's 5 pages per hour consistently (no breaks). With utmost respect I can't see the content being of a high standard throughout.

Are you going to upload it for us to read?