Sunday, December 11, 2005

Q. I just wrote my first TV spec for a sitcom. I've seen some places double space the dialogue and others don't (including the BBC template). Which way is correct?

Use the exact format the show you are speccing uses.

My understanding is that true sitcoms double space the dialog. That's so during the punch-up session, it's easier to write in new jokes on the page. (This, from back in the days of typing. But convention doesn't change as fast as technology. That's why we're still using Courier 12 for scripts.)

However, the person you should really ask this question is Ken Levine. He just posted about comedy specs, and he's probably the most experienced comedy writer blogging since Why Television Sucks went off the bitstream. He'd appreciate the readership, and he's willing to answer your questions.

Single camera comic dramas, I believe, generally single space dialog. On Naked Josh we single spaced.

Tags: screenwriting; sitcoms; format

11:18 PM

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