I currently have a project that I'm working on that my original plan was for it to be a feature but after a few discussions with writers and thinking about it more, its more aligned to be a sitcom. However, I'm still toying between the two and wondered whether its best to get it written in sitcom format first and build upon that or write the feature straight away? Anyone got any thoughts/experience?
The feature film market is a lot bigger than the market for sitcoms. However some stories only work for feature films and won't work for sitcoms. I would ask someone that is involved with making sitcoms rather than relying on just screenwriters.
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This decision is all about the story - where will it work best? A feature film is a one off, but it's on a big screen and needs a big story to fill that screen. A sitcom will need a story that can last 100 episodes, so even though the story itself may be smaller in scope it must be filled with conflicts that can keep going through 100 episodes. These are two different types of stories. So look at the story, and tell it in the best medium. If there is no best medium, come up with a bunch more story ideas and pick the best one.
I would not limit to just feature or sitcom. With the numerous ways that people are now watching you can explore a possible mini-series type instead of the 100 episodes or limit to a feature. I am in the same situation with one of my screenplays. Once I developed more of the story I started exploring it as a mini-series like Band of Brothers. I would try and talk to those that have the all around experience with all types of media.
Most sitcoms have by their very nature have limited locations, and indeed limited characters especially in the first series. Most of the British sitcoms never really made the transition to the big screen. (By that I mean they weren't as funny and usually were just too long as they stretched a half hour story to 90 minutes.) I can't think of any feature that subsequently became a sitcom. So the way I would approach your decision is to look at the characters and locations of successful sitcoms and comedy features, and see which best matches where you are with your characters and locations. Incidentally I've tried to write two sitcoms and on each occasion decided to give up because they are really very specialist and I'm not convinced I have what it takes.
All very good advice, and am glad I'm thinking the same way so this is helping my decision making process. Appreciate all the input, thank you.
You're looking at two VERY different mediums. Generally speaking, a feature is going to focus more on the narrative due to time constraints, whereas a sitcom depends almost entirely upon the relationships between your characters more than what they're doing in any given episode. Assuming you can simply transition between one form and the other is a recipe for disaster. As William said, figure out what you're really trying to do with your concept and move forward with one or the other. Sitting on the fence in this case is only going to weaken both options.