How to Become a Sitcom Writer

Writing sitcoms takes a lot of hard work, creativity, an understanding of screenwriting and a sense of humor. Bring your funny everyday stories and jokes to life on the screen by first writing on the page. While writing for a sitcom can involve excruciatingly long hours, the excitement of bringing comedy to life is well worth the work.

Instructions

1. Watch sitcoms on television. Get to know all the different formats and types of sitcoms currently running. Study the structure and comedic timing so you can identify key moments and points.

2. Take screenwriting courses to learn how to properly format and structure a television sitcom script. Take improvisation classes and comedy lessons so you can get a feel for what actors go through as well as develop your own comedic timing and sense of what is humorous.

3. Acquire copies of several scripts from various episodes of a sitcom that you enjoy. When choosing a show, consider the popularity of the show and its longevity, format and type of comedy. You want a show that is popular and has been on for at least one season so producers will have seen it and know what to expect. In addition, you want a show that matches your comedy style. Develop your own storyline using the same characters from the show. Write a spec script for the show.

4. Get a literary agent by sending out query letters and then sending out your spec sample. Try to find an agent who specializes in television instead of films or has several television contacts. Find a sitcom-writing group that meets regularly to make contacts and give one another feedback on projects you have in the works. The group can help you develop your comedy further and take it to the next level.

5. Ask your agent to send your spec out for open television sitcom writing assignments. If your spec is good enough, you might get an interview to freelance an episode. Nail the interview to get the job.

6. Write your first real sitcom episode and enjoy the moment you see it air on television.

References

• Ladies Who Launch: How to Become a TV Sitcom Writer