Sitcom Mission 2024
Monday 22nd January 2024
Sitcom Mission is back and this time we've added two highly experienced readers. We asked them to give us a sample of their work, and we're confident that they can help you to a better second draft.
Of course, you don't have to pay for feedback to enter Sitcom Mission, but if you'd like a fresh eye and helpful notes on your script you'll certainly benefit from our Bronze, Silver and Gold option. More details on our entry page
You've got until April 28th to enter, but here are a couple of things you should think about before pressing 'upload':
Have you got a story to tell? Don't get so bogged down in exposition and backstory that you forget how engaging a strong story can be. As Graham Linehan said: 'Make things happen'.
Don't feel that you have to send us Episode 1. Imagine that we've already seen your pilot and loved it. What are you going to show us in Episode 2? We already know your premise and characters, so you'll have to get on with that all-important story.
You may only have 15 minutes, but that's still more than enough for more than one plot.
See Seinfeld for how brilliantly plots impact each other - so much more satisfying than plots that exist in parallel. As an exercise try watching a contemporary sitcom and writing down the beats. You'll probably be surprised how 'busy' sitcoms are.
Can you hook the reader? A writer friend of ours was told by a production company that they were disappointed that his plot hadn't kicked in by page two. What is it about your first couple of pages that would make us keep reading?
Does your ending promise future episodes or have you written a one-off? We live in an age of streaming. What is it about your ending that would make us want to read the next episode and make that streamer stick around at the end of Episode 1?