Writing the Comedy Pilot Script: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Original TV Series

ISBN-13: 9780367623050 / Angielski / Miękka / 2021 / 174 str.

Manny Basanese

Opis

Navigating through the challenging process of writing a comedy pilot, this book will help screenwriters to create an original script for television. Seasoned TV writer Manny Basanese defines the elements of a strong comedy pilot and provides perspectives from current TV sitcom pros as well as emerging new comedy voices.

Spis treści

Introduction: the serious business of comedy: why laughing matters 1. What is a pilot and why write one? 2. Getting started: turning your idea into a comic pilot premise 3. Single or multi-cam? Workplace or family comedy? Decisions, decisions! 4. Rise of the dramedy 5. The animated comedy pilot 6. The "tween" comedy pilot 7. Choose your platform: network, cable or streaming 8. Comic characters: finding the funny 9. Finding your pilot story 10. Sitcom story structure: it's no joke! 11. Crafting your pilot logline 12. Pilot outline: blueprint for success 13. Your plot device toolbox 14. Your Cold Open: grab us! 15. Your pilot’s beginning: setting up your series "world" 16. Middle magic: obstacles, complications and escalation 17. Your pilot ending: begin where you finish! 18. Your 2nd draft: making a good thing better 19. A note about notes 20. The power of punch-up: mining the laughs 21. Your polished draft: is it ready to show? 22. Pilot pitch prep! 23. Breaking in: marketing your comedy pilot (and yourself!)