Amazon.com: Successful Sitcom Writing: How To Write And Sell For TV's Hottest Format (9780312144265): Jurgen Wolff, L. P. Ferrante: Books

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Successful Sitcom Writing: How To Write And Sell For TV's Hottest Format [Hardcover]

Jurgen Wolff (Author), L. P. Ferrante (Author)
3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)


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Book Description

August 15, 1996
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.


Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wolff knows what he is talking about. This book will give the aspiring sitcom writer a very important leg up on the competition."--Rob Ulin, former executive producer of Roseanne

"An extraordinary book-- it really helps writers to understand and master the complex genre of the modern sitcom."--John Barber, senior vice president of International Production, Columbia/Tri-Star TV

"We invariably recommend Successful Sitcom Writing as the most comprehensive, contemporary, and practical nuts-and-bolts guide available."--Kerry Cox, publisher of The Hollywood Scriptwriter

About the Author

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.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Press; Revised edition (August 15, 1996)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312144261
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312144265
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,068,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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Average Customer Review
3.6 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad book, but . . ., February 18, 2000
By A Customer
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if you are serious about learning how to write sitcoms, the Evan Smith book "Writing Television Sitcoms" is much better. Smith's book gives better more detailed advice, plus it is more current.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended. A focused and concise book on sitcom writing., September 25, 1998
By A Customer
This book gathers the basic information on sitcom writing an a refreshingly straightforward manner. Because of the focus on successful network shows, the examples are necessarily lame. This book focuses on the structural requirements of teleplays as well as applicable business constraints.

This will not teach one how to be funny. No book can. But, as the book states: jokes are easy. Story is hard. This book will help you craft a better sitcom story in a professional manner.

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars If you're ready to write, this book will help you focus, November 10, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Successful Sitcom Writing: How To Write And Sell For TV's Hottest Format (Hardcover)
Boy, did I love this book... Mr. Wolff engagingly shares his experience as a veteran of the sit-com world with his audience of hopefuls, and makes it not only understandable but enjoyable. I was especially motivated by his step-by-step exercises designed to free the muse. And even though he was very direct about the chances of an unknown actually selling a show, he made me feel I can -- and will-- succeed. If he's this good on paper, I can only imagine how inspiring he would be in a classroom!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
The term sitcom is short for situation comedy, and it refers to half-hour television shows in which characters find themselves in some sort of humorous situation. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Los Angeles, Larry Sanders, Frasier Crane, Act Two, Murphy Brown, Writers Guild, New York, Barney Miller, Tick Tock, Hollywood Scriptwriter, Family Ties, Garry Shandling, Grace Under Fire, Home Improvement, San Francisco, Charlie Manson, The Cosby Show, Warner Brothers, Dana Carvey, Peter Tolan, Succeed-Even If You Don't Live, The Mary Tyler Moore Show
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