I'm trying to write a spec pilot for a half-hour comedy... I'm reading scripts and I'm confused as to how many acts I should have.Comedies are either two acts or three. Unlike drama, which has traditionally been four acts and has largely now moved to five acts, I don't see a clear movement in comedy. If you're writing a spec pilot, pick a show that your show is like, and use that act structure. Simple as that.
I'm baffled too. I've been reading scripts for 30 Rock, which are all in two acts. But the show itself has two commercial breaks, and sometimes also takes a chunk of act one for a teaser.
ReplyDeleteOkay so this is completely off topic but has anybody watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-along blog. It's brilliant!!! And should be watched and reveled in by all.
ReplyDeleteSamantha Who scripts are written in four acts!
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ReplyDeleteEven within a series there are enormous variations. Of five Modern Family scripts I've located online, 1 script was four act; 2 scripts were 3 Acts w/ teaser and 2 scripts were 3 acts without teaser.
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