I was wondering about how many pages should a multi cam sitcom pilot script be?
Mulit cam script
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Re: Mulit cam script
In general, 40 - 50 pages.
Specifically, as long it needs to be, and not a page more. Which, for a particular storyline and set of characters, could be as long as 55 pages or as short as 35.
http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Big_B...01_-_Pilot.pdf
http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Mike_...01_-_Pilot.pdf
http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Last_...01_-_Pilot.pdf
http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Hot_I...The_New_90.pdf
http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Two_B...01_-_Pilot.pdf
http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Melis...01_-_Pilot.pdf
http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Are_Y...01_-_Pilot.pdfIf you really like it you can have the rights
It could make a million for you overnight
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Re: Mulit cam script
Originally posted by ACE21 View PostAnother question I have is how many pages/scenes should be in each act or is that up to the writer as well?
Probably the best thing to do is read some scripts of shows that you believe would be similar to yours to get a feel for how they are structured.
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Re: Mulit cam script
Originally posted by ACE21 View PostAnother question I have is how many pages/scenes should be in each act or is that up to the writer as well?
Multi-camera shows almost always have 2 acts. Ideally, each act takes up 10 - 11 minutes of screen time, for a total running time of 20 - 22 minutes. Multi-camera scripts run from 40 to 50 pages, with each act taking up 20 to 25 pages.
http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Big_B...Expedition.pdf
http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Two_a..._Puny_Alan.pdf
Teasers/cold opens are a common way to introduce the main story in the first minute or two. Tags, on the other hand, are less common. Some shows use them all the time, some shows use them occasionally, others not at all. A tag can resolve or comment upon the main story, or it can be a humorous aside, not related to the main story at all.
The most traditional scene structure is 3 scenes per act, for a total of 6. Contemporary sitcoms are more likely to have 4 or 5 scenes per act, for a total of 8 to 10.
The ultra-conventional approach to sitcom plot:
http://www.hollywoodlitsales.com/cf/...cfm?intID=2039
If you really like it you can have the rights
It could make a million for you overnight
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Re: Mulit cam script
Originally posted by bren55 View PostProbably the best thing to do is read some scripts of shows that you believe would be similar to yours to get a feel for how they are structured.If you really like it you can have the rights
It could make a million for you overnight
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Re: Mulit cam script
Originally posted by ACE21 View PostWould anyone know where I can find scripts for Everybody Loves Raymond on line?
Simply Scripts offers a ton of free TV scripts, though I did a quick search and did not see any Everybody Loves Raymond scripts available. You can buy scripts of that show on eBay and other places online for about $10 a script. However, since you don't actually have to read the scripts for that particular show (since you're not writing a spec of it), I'd read other free sitcom scripts available on Simply Scripts or other sites before I'd pay for them (unless you have the $$$ to spare).
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Re: Mulit cam script
Usually I can find something for most shows if I google --
"Show Name in Quotes" "Written By" filetypedf
Unfortunately, all that shows up for Raymond are specs. So you can look at those (they probably looked at Raymonds) but I agree, better to find another show.
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Re: Mulit cam script
I only asked about Everybody Loves Raymond because, Raymond is structurally closer to what I have in mind. In the pilot script I plan on writing there is no B story in my spec pilot.
Are there any mulit cam sitcoms these days that don't have a second story?
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