Research Catalog

Title

Writing the comedy pilot script : a step-by-step guide to creating an original TV series / Manny Basanese.

Author

Basanese, Manny

Publication

• Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2022.
• ©2022

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

viii, 174 pages; 25 cm

Summary

"Navigating through the challenging process of writing a comedy pilot, this book will help screenwriters to create an original script for television. Seasoned TV writer Manny Basanese defines the elements of a strong comedy pilot and provides perspectives from current TV sitcom pros as well as emerging new comedy voices. Practical and accessible, the book presents a step-by-step process and focuses on the key elements of writing a comedy pilot. Incorporating both the history of TV comedy as well as its current evolving state in this age of the dramedy and an ever-increasing variety of broadcast and streaming platforms, the book will serve as a guide for the fledgling sitcom scribe. Author Basanese breaks down the comedy pilot writing process from what may be perceived as an overwhelming, time-consuming mission into a series of much more manageable, smaller steps (from logline to outline to first, second and polished draft.) Utilizing his experience in Hollywood's sitcom trenches, the author offers real-world advice on such topics as building the comedy pilot "world," creating memorable comic characters, sound sitcom structure, and the importance of crafting an emotional through line in a comedy pilot. Finally, there is also a practical career guidance for marketing this just completed script and breaking into the industry with advice on various topics such as the value of networking as well as gaining representation in the competitive Hollywood jungle. Ideal for students of screenwriting and aspiring comedy screenwriters"--

Subject

• Television authorship
• Television comedies > Authorship
• Television pilot programs > Authorship

Note

• "A Focal Press book"--Cover.
• Includes index.

Contents

Introduction: The serious business of comedy : why laughing matters -- What is a pilot and why write one? -- Getting started : turning your idea into a comic pilot premise -- Single-cam vs multi-cam? Workplace or family comedy? Decisions, decisions! -- Rise of the dramedy -- The animated comedy pilot -- The" tween" comedy pilot -- Choose your platform : network, cable or streaming -- Comic characters : finding the funny -- Finding your pilot story -- Sitcom structure : it's no joke! -- Crafting your pilot logline -- Pilot outline : blueprint for success -- Your plot device toolbox -- Your cold open : grab us! -- Your pilot's beginning : setting up your series "world" -- "Middle magic" : obstacles, complications and escalation -- Your pilot ending : begin where you finish! -- Your 2nd draft : making a good thing better -- A note about notes -- The power of punch-up : mining the laughs -- Your polished draft : is it ready to show? -- Pilot pitch prep -- Breaking in : marketing your comedy pilot (and yourself!).

Call Number

MWGR 22-1074

ISBN

• 9780367623067
• 0367623064
• 9780367623050
• 0367623056

LCCN

2021028826

OCLC

1261770510

Author

Basanese, Manny, author.

Title

Writing the comedy pilot script : a step-by-step guide to creating an original TV series / Manny Basanese.

Publisher

Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2022.

Copyright Date

©2022

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Other Form:

Online version: Basanese, Manny. Writing the comedy pilot script Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2022 9781003108788 (DLC) 2021028827

Research Call Number

MWGR 22-1074