How to Write a Sitcom

Think your life seems like a sitcom, hilarious enough to make a crowd laugh? Or, do you have a great idea for one? Don't know how to get started? Here are some brief instructions to show you how to write a script for a sitcom. Pave your own path to stardom!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer or word processor

1. Familiarize yourself with the basics of story writing. Become familiar with terms like introduction, rising action, turning point (or climax), falling action, and resolution. Study the basics of character development, dialogue, and conflict.
2. Learn how to tell a joke. Timing and imagination are skills that come only with practice.
3. Watch other sitcoms. Study how they set up jokes, introduce characters. What drives their story? If possible, read sitcom scripts then watch how they transform from paper to episode.
4. Focus on character development. Often, comedy comes from their believable personality. Base them loosely on people you know. Learn from characters you like in other sitcoms.
5. Decide on a setting. Sitcoms thrive in everyday places, from schools and courtrooms to bars and coffee shops. Your characters need a central setting where they interact--preferably, one that can be easily built in a studio.
6. Start brainstorming ideas for your sitcom’s plot. Outline your ideas. Consider your sitcom’s setting, characters, and conflict.
7. Learn how to format your script. You want it to look as professional as possible. Follow the advice in books and online resources on the proper techniques.
8. Begin writing your first episode, known as the pilot. Think of it as a movie trailer. Entice your audience with characters and conflicts. Your pilot should showcase your very best work.
9. Write a one-page synopsis. This will summarize all of your ideas and be used as a promotional tool to sell them to television studios.
10. Copyright your script. This can be done by having it notarized or by registering it with the Writer’s Guild of America.

Tips & Warnings

• Come up with unique characters. They drive your story. Great characters have specific traits, histories, emotions and quirks.
• Make original a familiar setting. Your characters will develop around it. For example, “Cheers” was set in a bar, but became unique with its evolving characters.
• Never stop brainstorming. As you write, keep track of your ideas.
• Take great care with your treatment. The studios are flooded by sitcom submissions every day, and will spend very little time with your treatment. Make each moment count.
• Thousands of people are trying to sell their sitcoms. Be prepared for rejections, but don’t give up!

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
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