Quote: bushbaby @ March 26, 2008, 2:56 AMLeevil, just a word in your ear. The Uk TV companies don't go for American type sitcoms, that's why we see so many same format ones here. They go for character based humour and not gags
Bushbaby has a point, here.
Hasn't he said that he's just looking at getting a script finished, not actively writing one with the intent of trying to have it commissioned?
Quote: Aaron @ March 26, 2008, 8:12 AMHasn't he said that he's just looking at getting a script finished, not actively writing one with the intent of trying to have it commissioned?
F**king hell he's really selling this idea...
Quote: bushbaby @ March 26, 2008, 2:56 AMLeevil, just a word in your ear. The Uk TV companies don't go for American type sitcoms, that's why we see so many same format ones here. They go for character based humour and not gags
I think that's wrong.
My sitcom is very gag heavy, and I was told that 'was not a problem' and that being influenced by the US isn't a bad thing.
And having read some of Leevil stuff, his dialogue is VERY US influenced I think (unless I'm totally wrong . . .)
Quote: Seefacts @ March 26, 2008, 9:42 AMAnd having read some of Leevil stuff, his dialogue is VERY US influenced I think (unless I'm totally wrong . . .)
So is yours, spot the American cathphrase
Doctor:
You have 3 months to live... unless i'm totally wrong
Hope your sitcoms going well Seefacts, let us know when you've gone showbiz and start demanding chairs and coffee ala Charlie Broooker
I appreciate bushbaby's comment. Aaron's right though, this is more about completing a project for once not so much about selling it, although that would be a very (very x 100) nice bonus.
I do believe British based comedies ARE heavy gag based, just a lot more subtle then the American ones.
And in the current direction it's taking it will also be more character based anyway, the only irony is that the main character is a yank, lol.
Seefacts, yes I suppose you're right, to achieve maximum gag rate I probably do take on the more Chandler-esque quick come backs in the dialogue.
I think good gags are always important, but not all that many. Maybe 4-6 in an episode, will be memorable.
I think much humour in sitcoms, can come from the pace, the faster the better (by that mean scene changes etc)
I'm more interested in the enjoyment I get from writing jokes, if I can cram a script full of jokes, have strong characters and still keep it interesting then why would that be a negative thing?
Why stick so closely to the average. I understand there's a formula and it works but because this is about having fun, I'm not so interested in following the rules, rules are there to be broken (within reason 
) how are things meant to evolve if no one ever steps outside the boundary every so often?
Well the truly memorable sitcoms broke the rules. It's why they're remembered. I suppose I feel one should understand a rule, to break it properly.
Quote: ajp29 @ March 26, 2008, 10:06 AMHope your sitcoms going well Seefacts, let us know when you've gone showbiz and start demanding chairs and coffee ala Charlie Broooker
I'm like that already, so that's okay.
Get me a chair and a coffee!!
Quote: sootyj @ March 26, 2008, 1:27 PMWell the truly memorable sitcoms broke the rules. It's why they're remembered. I suppose I feel one should understand a rule, to break it properly.
Quite agree.
Quote: Antony Wheeler @ March 26, 2008, 10:38 PMQuite agree.
I think there are basic sitcom structure rules because that's what works for the genre. Have a look at some of the more "unconventional" sitcoms around and you'll notice that most still stick to some form of three-act structure. I really wonder if there is such a thing as a "traditional sitcom"? To me there's either funny/not funny sitcoms. And the funny ones still need careful structure to make the comedy work.
Tim, I thought sitcoms were generally two-act, not three.
Quote: Antony Wheeler @ March 26, 2008, 11:54 PMTim, I thought sitcoms were generally two-act, not three.
Yes. Maybe Tim was thinking film. Or no-act in the case of [insert name of current disliked sitcom]
I do agree with Tim, though, in the principle that pretty much all the sitcoms I really admire fit the structure.
Well they all tend to follow some kind of three act. Act one, set up plot threads and aims for the characters. Act two, dilemma/problems encountered by characters in achieving goals. Act three, pay-off plot lines and form resolution for characters - plus or minus twist in the denouement.
I'm sure you could decribe a sitcom in a two-act way, but that to me seems to be how a sitcom is basically structured. In the US writers tend to refer to it as a three-act structure for sitcom. Even 'The Simpsons' team write what is only a twenty-two/three minute story in the form of a three-act structure containing a main plot and a sub-plot.