![]() Multi-camera sitcom scripts don't, primarily because they are shot in front of a live audience. Most other scripts - single-camera TV, one-hour drama TV, procedural TV, and feature film scripts - generally utilize the same basic format. Multi-camera scripts are the black sheep of format in Hollywood. How Multi-Camera TV Scripts Differ from Everything Else You can see that there is a major aesthetic difference. To truly capture that format, screenwriters should be using screenwriting software that has those pre-set templates.Ĭompare the above opening page of the single-camera The Last Man on Earth pilot script to the pilot script of the multi-camera The Big Bang Theory below: Multi-camera sitcoms are a whole different formatting beast. Learn the best way to structure your screenplay with this free guide. The structure is different than features, but the actual format utilized is pretty much the same. Single-camera sitcoms are written in a more standard format, much like feature film scripts. There are stages set before an audience and the "play" is captured on multiple cameras as actors walk from one set into another, often in just one take with multiple cameras capturing the necessary angles to create an otherwise seamless experience for television.īecause of this, multi-camera scripts have a more technical approach in their format, which takes an otherwise 22-32 page television script and turns it into a 52-58 page script (see below). While single-camera sitcom filming can be equated to feature film styles, multi-camera sitcoms are similar to live theater. The humor presented in such a show is much different because of that audience factor. ![]() Multi-camera sitcoms are basically everything filmed in front of a live studio audience. The contemporary multi-camera shows like The Big Bang Theory have taken the torch from those classics. Multi-camera sitcoms represent the more traditional approach to television comedy, dating back to shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Three's Company, Family Ties, Seinfeld, and Friends. Most sitcom episodes are actually only around 22 minutes long because of them. Screenwriters need to also take into account commercial breaks. Since sitcoms consist of 30-minute episodes, the page-to-minute ratio needs to be close to that mark. Single-camera scripts are usually 22 to 32 pages long. While the "single-camera" label is a misnomer - such shows often use more than one single camera - the key element is that the show is shot much more like a film, without a live audience.īecause of this, the humor is often different, playing much more like a feature comedy would. Shows like Modern Family, Silicon Valley, and The Last Man on Earth are perfect contemporary examples. The "single-camera" sitcom has grown in popularity in the last decade. More info coming soon | Remind Me Single-Camera Read More: How To Structure a Great TV Pilotīut first, before we jump into the differences, be sure you mark your calendar for ScreenCraft's TV Pilot Screenplay Competition! ![]() And it's actually a pretty big elephant in the room as we've discovered through multiple email queries regarding the difference between the format of a single-camera sitcom and a multi-camera sitcom. However, there's one anomaly that was left untouched. We touched on sitcoms and dramas, breaking down the format, acts, and overall structure. We've previously covered formatting general television pilot scripts in our post The Screenwriter’s Simple Guide to Formatting Television Scripts. They seek out writers that can perform on both platforms - film and television.īecause of this influx of content, screenwriters that do want to play in the television sandbox are slowly learning the differences between the formats of shows. As screenwriters, if you don't have a pilot sample or you're not currently developing television concepts, many agents and managers won't even represent you. No views, opinions, and quotations by any author, person, media, or third party shall reflect the opinions and views of CIE or its affiliates, unless expressly stated otherwise by CIE.In Hollywood, everyone is going to television. CIE is not responsible for and does not verify accuracy for any of the information contained therein. The views, information, or opinions expressed on this website/blog/platform are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion, policy or position of CIE, its employees, volunteers, representatives or affiliates. CIE does not promote any political ideology or endorse any political groups or candidates. Chinese In Entertainment (“CIE”) is not associated or affiliated with any government agency or political party, nor does CIE receive any funding from any of the foregoing. ![]()
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