I've seen so many different examples/suggestions online for the format for 1/2 hour comedy TV shows in terms of total pages a screenplay must be, and writing "Act 1, Act 2, Act 3" in the headings.
My questions are 1) how many pages should a screenplay episode be? 32-35 pages? Less than 42 pages? 2) Do "Act 1,2,3" headings need to be included? I've seen some screenplay examples have them and some don't 3) Are there any good books/websites I should read/research that would have all the basic info on comedy tv show screenplay formats?
Thank you!
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Most half hour sitcoms are about 30 pages, give or take a page. Not more than 32pgs. single spaced like a film. As far as structure, it depends on what distribution outlet youre targeting. If it's network or basic cable then yes you should include your acts and act breaks. If its HBO or Netflix, you may not. But id suggest including the acts anyway as it may help you. Most sitcoms have a cold open, 2 or 3 acts, and a Tag. Structure of tv series seems to be slowly merging with film structure but traditional networks still want traditional structure for the most part.
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Hi David,
I agree with what Danny posted for the most part. I've seen single-cam pilots come in at the 35-36 page range, but you're better off in heeding Danny's advice and keep it in the low 30s, but not less than 24 pages. Unless....
You're writing a multi-cam show, and formatting it as such. Multi-cam format is quite a bit different than single-cam and has a lot more white space. There's a google script archive that has hundreds of pilots, both sitcom and hour length. You can find it at: https://sites.google.com/site/tvwriting/us-comedy/pilot-scripts
HTH,
-Steve
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Multi-cam and animation use the double-space, so don't be afraid when the page count reflects that. Here's a quick Google: http://aspiringtvwriter.blogspot.com/2013/03/multi-cam-sitcom-format-vs-...
Hi All, thanks for the info! This definitely helps, and I will check out the links you suggested to view.
At Northern Exposure (1 hour), production scripts were generally in the 40 page range - sometimes a little more. In a half hour slot, you've got a 26 minuet hole to fill regardless of format - a teaser and three or three and a tag. Your job as the writer is to deliver the audience to and then hold them through the advertisements. Recently I've noticed many shows that re-run the pre scene ending at the beginning of the next segment. This certainly cuts down the script page count along with production costs.
David, if you want to read some samples of tv scripts look at SimplyScripts.com, search for your favorite tv series and learn from the best. Good luck!
Check out http://www.la-screenwriter.com/ They have a great online library of television scripts...and screenplays.
Agree with Doug - 40-page range. No more.
Elisabeth - those are all sanitized production scripts. The studios cannot release the writer's spec script - for various and sundry reasons (starting with violation of copyright...)
Doug - they are any first drafts and of course not the final draft, but give unexperienced writers an idea of how to write a tv script very well. Check them yourself, you find the way how to write the opening scene, how to divide the acts etc.
I did and don't know what shall be sanitized in the scripts I read as I could follow the show with the script on my knees without any problem. Maybe I was lucky with my choice. I chose Mike & Molly and Gilmore Girls and can only speak for them. Of course only one script of a tv series is posted there (for the copyright as mentioned) , but these two are full scripts of the pilot episodes.