# How do you write a sitcom? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 12, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-sitcom/502737 "2009-07-12T04:27:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-sitcom/502737/1 "2009-07-12T04:27:43Z")
My Google skillz aren’t helping much - I’ve written screenplays, but what are the differences in format/style for 30-minute sitcoms? What’s the standard length, and how are the “acts” broken up? I bought a book I thought would help, but it turned out to be worthless. Anybody got the skinny on this, or at least a website with the info? You’d think this would be easy enough to find, but I’m having a hard time (I do have the book of the Season 1 & 2 _Seinfeld_ scripts, but I don’t know if those are industry standard or shooting scripts/reformatted versions for readers). Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-sitcom/502737/2 "2009-07-12T04:39:44Z")
Also, I’m using Final Draft 7, which I got from a friend, but I didn’t get any of the samples that come with it. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-sitcom/502737/3 "2009-07-12T04:54:49Z")
Ah, crap. Seems I _do_ have the samples, so this thread is unnecessary. Sorry. I’m going to ask a mod to close it. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-sitcom/502737/4 "2009-07-12T04:56:44Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Ah, crap. Seems I _do_ have the samples, so this thread is unnecessary. Sorry. I’m going to ask a mod to close it. Could I ask that you leave it open? I’d be interested in hearing factual responses to the topic. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-sitcom/502737/5 "2009-07-12T05:07:10Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Could I ask that you leave it open? I’d be interested in hearing factual responses to the topic. Sure. I’ll ask the mod. I could probably use some pointers myself (my script is hardly going to resemble the episode of “The Bernie Mac Show” I got with the software). ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-sitcom/502737/6 "2009-07-12T20:31:07Z")
From what (limited) things I know about writing it’s the length and overall format that trumps all, not necessarily the individual things…kinda. What I mean is, make sure that it is relatively close to the standard amount of pages (30-45 I think) and the overall format is correct, but the way you describe scenes, character actions/reactions etc. is up to the writer. Some writers are detail hawks and paint a picture with 1000 words, and some writers give a general look and “let the director handle it”; same with characters/actions. Some writers write (angrily) (happily) (content) a lot, others just let the actors act. The hardest part is getting started…if you could just break int the business than you would be able to write however the hell you want and let others describe it as “just the way he writes”. (Also if you make it…read my movie:):))