The Eight Characters of Comedy: A Guide to Sitcom Acting And Writing (Paperback)

by Scott Sedita (Author) "Comedy comes from a few different places (some of which may surprise you)..." (more)
Key Phrases: comedic note, lovable loser, comedic technique, The Eight Characters of Comedy, The Dumb One, The Neurotic (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
At the core of this Hollywood howto guide is the concept of The Eight Characters of Comedy, the eight specific character archetypes used in sitcoms dating back to the advent of TV. Every actor can find a sitcom niche by identifying with one of these eight characters. Using past and current actors and sitcom personalities, Sedita describes in detail where these characters come from and how actors can play them truthfully. * who is normally cast as The Logical Smart One’ * why do we love The Lovable Loser’ * why is The Neurotic such a fun character to play’ In addition, readers learn how to break down a comedy script, how to identify different types of jokes, how to deliver them with comedic precision, sitcom auditioning techniques, and how to market themselves.

About the Author
Scott Sedita has years of experience in both New York and Los Angeles as an actor, agent, writer, casting director, and acting coach at his Scott Sedita Acting Studio. He has appeared on numerous shows, including Starting Over, Faking It and Helmets Off, and is resident acting coach on Fight For Fame.

Product Details

• Paperback: 243 pages
• Publisher: Atides Publishing (November 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977064107
• ISBN-13: 978-0977064106
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,644 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super helpful, January 20, 2006

By	A. Rago (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book finally says the things you know, but have been unable to put your finger on. It is easy to read, and funny too. Well, one would hope with a book about sit-coms.
As an actor, I found this helped me tremendously. It gave me insight into what to do, and how to do it. I can already see the results.
As a writer, I find it easier to make choices for my characters, now that I have a guideline for their intentions. Even the difficult part of starting the script is made easier when you just decide what character would go with the ones you already have.
Definitely a must have!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, February 6, 2007

By	M. Swanson (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I mean, seriously. Someone FINALLY sat down and wrote a book that deconstructs all the different characters (there's 8, by the way) that appear in comedy, sitcoms specifically. Sedita manages to set forth a simple, concise, easy-to-read (AND understand) method to determining, from an acting standpoint, WHICH character you are (I'm, surprisingly, a "lovable loser" and not, as I had hoped and dreamed, a "womanizer"), and which specific traits are most often and commonly associated with PLAYING these characters ("hopeful" and "optimistic" are two big ones for the "lovable loser"). I can only begin to tell you how incredibly helpful this book has been in my audition preparation and my character creation. If you've ever thought about acting, especially in comedy, PICK UP THIS BOOK!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new way at looking at sitcoms!, January 13, 2006

By	Jim (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Much more than a terrific guide for actors and writers looking to build a career in the sitcom world, this book celebrates everything that we love about sitcoms...the characters, the storylines, the jokes, the catch phrases, the addiction that keeps us tuning in week after week.

As an actor, this book has helped me focus on what casting directors want at sitcom auditions and what directors want on set. I now know what my comedic strengths are and where I should be focusing my energy. And the results have been tremendous! Scott does an an amazing job of channeling his years of industry experience and his charismatic teaching ability into each and every page, leaving every actor and writer who reads this book confident he or she WILL work in sitcoms.

But the book also attracts a much broader audience. After I finished reading it, I gave my copy to my dad (a steelworker with no interest in acting whatsoever) and he finished it in a few days, laughing out loud from time to time as he came across a show, a character or a bit of dialogue that struck his funny bone. That's where this book excels over other acting and writing books. It doesn't limit its audience. Rather, it allows anybody and everybody who loves sitcoms to come along for an exciting and hilarious ride!