Successful Sitcom Writing : How to Write and Sell for TV's Hottest Format

Sitcoms have never been hotter in Hollywood, and the demand for writers has never been greater.

With fees starting at $16,000 for a half-hour script, sitcoms can be a lucrative option for freelancers. The hundreds of shows produced every year, each of which needs a team of writers, provide a tremendous opportunity to break into the industry.

But successful sitcom writing begins long before Act I, Scene I. Hollywood insider Jurgen Wolff will start you off right. He'll show you why some ideas are promising and some should be rejected immediately, even when they're funny. You'll learn how to analyze and develop characters. And you'll find out how the pros punch up their work with subplots, physical comedy, and timing.

The technical ins and outs of the sitcom format are also explained, including act structure, subplots, sets, entrances, and exits. You'll learn the manuscript formats the networks use, so your work will look as professional as it reads. And you'll get solid advice on how to find an agent, take a pitch meeting, and land your script on a producer's desk— even if you don't live in Los Angeles.

Novice and veteran sitcom writers alike keep Jurgen Wolff's book handy. Read it, and you'll see why.

Jurgen Wolff has written episodes for many of TV's most popular and enduring sitcoms, including Family Ties and The Love Boat. He works as a comedy consultant for Columbia/Tri-Star TV. A founder of The Hollywood Scriptwriter and the author of several books, he has won international prizes for his work in film and has been a script doctor for major motion pictures. He divides his time between London and Los Angeles and conducts sitcom writing workshops the world over.

L. P. Ferrante is a veteran radio writer who currently works as a freelance sitcom writer. He lives in New York City.