4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just what every sitcom (and dramatic) writer needs, January 31, 2010
This review is from: Writing Television Sitcoms (revised) (Mass Market Paperback)
This is pretty much an A to Z book on the subject. From organizing the premise to delivering jokes and even getting a job! It would have been great to see several examples of beats and outlines or perhaps links to see them. Otherwise awesome!
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
At Last - A Real Guide Through the Maze..., January 27, 2010
This review is from: Writing Television Sitcoms (revised) (Mass Market Paperback)
Everyone who watches sitcoms has said, "I'm pretty funny. I bet I can write something as funny as that show" only to discover that watching TV and writing TV are not the same thing. Some give up, others decide to get themselves a book to teach them the ropes. The problem, however, is that most of the sitcom 'how - to' books are either long on theory and short on reality or spend all their time on the technical bits without providing the necessary foundation for success (developing a premise, characters, situations, etc.). Or the authors have legitimate credits (although they haven't worked in TV for a long, long time) but no real sense of how to TEACH sitcom writing to the reader.
That's what makes this book different from the others and therefore so valuable to the budding sitcom writer.
Not only was Smith a successful writer (a seller), he was a TV programming executive (a buyer), so he knows what works from both sides of the desk. This perspective and the knowledge he imparts is invaluable to the writer looking to develop a career in the industry.
Other key differences are Smith's inclusion of advice from current working (and successful) writer - producers and his discussion of what's needed to actually break into the business - including discussion of new media options and the opportunities it offers the aspiring writer.
It doesn't hurt that Smith's writing style - informal, relate-able, entertaining - makes this a truly enjoyable (and informative) read.
If you have any interest in writing sitcoms, and you don't want to enroll at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and attend Smith's classes, save yourself a lot of time and money and buy this book - it is the only book on sitcom writing you'll need or want.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
finest resource on the subject, January 18, 2010
This review is from: Writing Television Sitcoms (revised) (Mass Market Paperback)
Evan Smith knows what he is talking about. Not only has he written the definitive book on writing sitcoms, he knows how to write a sitcom himself. Most writing teachers failed at the writing game and are now teaching you and me. Not Smith. He had a for-real career as a writer before he began teaching, and it shows on every page of his superb book. He goes into amazing and staggeringly useful detail about the nature of comedy, how to write a script, and that horrid conundrum -- launching a career in Hollywood. Smith has been in the trenches and comprehends the horror. He knows what you must know to write a great script AND get your foot in the door. Writing Television Sitcoms is an invaluable resource and should be on every writer's shelf -- not just those wanting to write a sitcom script.
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