What is your LEAST favorite show?

Situational Comedy: The Structure of the 22-Minute Epic

What is a Sitcom? In the traditional sense, a sitcom is: A story where a character or group of characters pursue good, and run into all kinds of obstacles along the way. Has at it’s heart a “what if” scenario involving a character who is placed in a unique, frequently uncomfortable situation.

Important Elements The Main Plot - the focus of the story and has the most important conclusion. Subplot- Secondary story that runs alongside the main story. They are not necessarily intertwined. Two Act Structure!

Two Act Structure Middle and Conclusion Very little establishing of “world” Everything Pre-exists World History Characters We don’t have a story Arc, we have a story circle.

Components of a Story Teaser- Joke driven, doesn’t necessarily have to relate to the main plot. Quick impact. Openings: Cold Open- Plot driven, uses conflict to pull us into the show. Roughly 30 seconds to a minute!

Components of a Story Act I Purpose is to provides conflict Something needs to happen to spur the characters into action. Characters should be doing something, and not having something happen to them. The close of the act should “up end” the situation. Make things worse before they get better.

Components of a Story Act II Continues the conflict from Act I Ends with resolution Characters return to the place where they started in a believable way. NOTE! Each scene typically runs 2-3 minutes. You may have 8-10 scene changes.

Components of a Story Tag- Short piece at the end of the script after the last commercial where you return for one last joke. It is typically quick, verbal, and recalls another strong joke from the episode. Ending: Approximately 30 seconds in length

STOP!!!!...Hammer time!!!!

Shooting a “Traditional” Sitcom Very similar to shooting our interview Not much depth to scenes (very 2d) Little to no camera movement (only pans and tilts)

Shooting a “Traditional” Sitcom Action moves through the scene You may only end up with 3-4 shots per scene even though the scene lasts 3-4 minutes.

Techniques for Shooting Remember the 180 degree rule? Shoot in one dimension Shoot one character at a time Don’t be afraid to keep cameras rolling

Locations

Shooting Schedule Breaks down scene by location and talent No shot specifics (because you uses so few shot types) Allows you to continue working if someone is absent

Project Minutes Edited!! Try and keep continuity within locations. Simplify your shoots Keep Camera in one spot Do multiple takes of the same scene from different angles.

Build Your “Set” If you had three camera’s, where would they be? Think about how people enter, and move through a scene.

Groups You pick your groups, I pick the script. No complaining! No trades!

For Today! Assemble your groups Today we are going to partake in a table read!