Seize Them! w Andy Riley
25:12
3 ай бұрын
The First Two Minutes
6:08
Ай бұрын
Outlining Your Episode
5:11
Ай бұрын
It's Just Not Working
4:04
Ай бұрын
6 Common Sitcom Plotting Pitfalls
4:14
Plotting Plots
2:05
2 ай бұрын
The Clear Toss
7:19
3 ай бұрын
Choosing The Right Idea
6:54
4 ай бұрын
Generating Story Ideas
14:13
4 ай бұрын
The Importance of Plotting
8:38
4 ай бұрын
Welcome to Plotting
3:24
4 ай бұрын
Don't Write What You Know
3:40
4 ай бұрын
Single-Cam vs Multi-Cam Sitcoms
7:52
Stages of Life in Sitcom
2:20
5 ай бұрын
The Four C's of Comedy
4:29
6 ай бұрын
Creating Sitcom Characters
7:25
6 ай бұрын
Thinking up a Sitcom?
4:37
6 ай бұрын
How to Create A Sitcom
6:55
6 ай бұрын
A Warning about Writing Sitcoms
5:48
Writing That Sitcom
6:27
6 ай бұрын
Can I Write A Sitcom?
6:11
2 жыл бұрын
Пікірлер
@ThomasDavis5213
@ThomasDavis5213 6 күн бұрын
👊
@LozJeppy420
@LozJeppy420 16 күн бұрын
Hi James, looking to start writing my first sitcom pilot script, a big inspiration for me is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia which I've not heard you speak about in your videos yet, I'd love to know your thoughts on the show from a writer's perspective?
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 13 күн бұрын
I'm afraid I've never actually seen it. I've heard good things about it, particularly how they escalate plots, but have nothing to offer there in terms of insights. Maybe I'll get around to watching it before long, but it doesn't really sound like my kind of show.
@LozJeppy420
@LozJeppy420 6 күн бұрын
​@@thesituationroom9026 Ahh no worries, I'd recommend it - after 16 seasons they must be doing something right! I think it's incredible how they've made an entire cast meant to represent the worst aspects of humanity relatable and funny, tackling some controversial topics satirically whilst keeping with the times over all these years. They also have some creative bottle episodes and some surprising emotional scenes (ep - Mac Finds his Pride)
@experi-mentalproductions5358
@experi-mentalproductions5358 Ай бұрын
What about Bottom? That's mostly just Rik and Ade talking to eachother.
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 28 күн бұрын
Not really. Go back and watch the episodes and you'll find plot, character and motivation.
@experi-mentalproductions5358
@experi-mentalproductions5358 Ай бұрын
Also, "Confusion is the enemy of comedy"? Never seen Monty Python or The Young Ones then? Actually from watching your videos I'm getting the impression that you haven't a clue what you're talking about.
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 28 күн бұрын
So, Monty Python isn't a sitcom. And actually, quite a lot of the original TV sketch show is confusing and don't work as well as the movies, which make much more sense. And The Young Ones is almost an anti-sitcom. I'm interested you think I don't have a clue. I've made a living writing comedy for TV and radio for 25 years so I have, at least, a clue.
@experi-mentalproductions5358
@experi-mentalproductions5358 28 күн бұрын
@@thesituationroom9026 But you didn't say "Confusion is the enemy of sitcom" you said "confusion is the enemy of comedy".
@experi-mentalproductions5358
@experi-mentalproductions5358 Ай бұрын
Isn't Monk an example of a sitcom that does this?
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 28 күн бұрын
Monk isn't a sitcom.
@experi-mentalproductions5358
@experi-mentalproductions5358 28 күн бұрын
@@thesituationroom9026 It's a comedy that features the same cast in every episode. That may not be the definition of "sitcom" in your world. But it is in everyone else's.
@KAZVorpal
@KAZVorpal Ай бұрын
"Start in the middle" is the most mindlessly overdone thing in video media, today.
@LostInAScrapbook
@LostInAScrapbook Ай бұрын
Thank you for making videos 🧡
@Paul-vs8zq
@Paul-vs8zq Ай бұрын
Thanks mate
@gianttwinkie
@gianttwinkie 2 ай бұрын
You have a different definition of sitcom when you kill someone on their first day at work. In the States we refer to that as a tragedy.
2 ай бұрын
I'm glad you came back. 6 months ago I watched all your videos and I was sad that you didn't make new videos
@sethxenofightersofficialx
@sethxenofightersofficialx 3 ай бұрын
Here is my progress on the script of the first season of xenomon fighters docs.google.com/document/d/1BQrYHV8qVqPj5XoIvT_pM-SPeFci5w_AEoT7vW0jtbo/edit?usp=drivesdk
@Wordsmiths
@Wordsmiths 3 ай бұрын
"A sitcom is a permanent Act 2" // "[in a sitcom,] they never learn..." A casual side comment right at the beginning and already I had to pause it to write that down. Why have I never heard situation comedy summed up like this? It answers so many questions...
@jonriley641
@jonriley641 3 ай бұрын
Smashing! Andy's my brother so I'm biased but looking forward to it very much.
@kingsnorthlobotomy
@kingsnorthlobotomy 3 ай бұрын
I am looking forward to seeing the film
@RuNacken
@RuNacken 3 ай бұрын
This was wonderful!
@makedonprodukcija2188
@makedonprodukcija2188 4 ай бұрын
I've been writting novels short stories playwrights and poetry my whole life. In December of '23 I finished my 1st script and already won over 100 international festivals and Cannes awarded me as an author of the year. To get to my point, I just finished my 4th script meanwhile working on a jokes for a sitcom (already have 5 pages of it) I though sitcoms are easy but I totally agree with you that characters don't change it's so hard to do that for a novelist because everything is chained reaction as we call it in Europe you guys in americas call it the butterfly effect. I'm starting monday with it so God help me :)))
@SeanMcConvillefilms
@SeanMcConvillefilms 5 ай бұрын
Really interesting idea! I'm currently writing a sitcom pilot and was considering the stage of life the other day. Mine is about the stage of your twenties when you've just left school and are trying to figure out who you are and whether you're pursuing the right things. Love your content!
@KarpoCottage
@KarpoCottage 5 ай бұрын
I've been wanting to make "gag" comics, but I kept writing the beginning and feeling it was taking forever to get the the status quo. Thank you so much for this!
@miketemple7686
@miketemple7686 7 ай бұрын
This podcast was packed with so much valuable information! To much to list here.
@grandmastersethy
@grandmastersethy 9 ай бұрын
Haha, I was totally going to start my pilot on her first day of work. Thanks for this!
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 9 ай бұрын
It can be done - but I think it's very hard to make the main character active. So I personally would avoid it. It could be someone else's first day and your protagonist has to show them around, or deal with them in some way.
@WannabeWryter
@WannabeWryter 2 ай бұрын
​@thesituationroom9026 So if my character with in an animated cartoon & starting a super hero revolution, against a grimdark empire. Would it be decided to start at thier 1st hijacking, for the revolution or with the event that triggered the revolution? Because I've been stuck for like a year working on the latter, so maybe I'll try the former
@simonharvey6769
@simonharvey6769 9 ай бұрын
Really inspiring video
@fh9061
@fh9061 Жыл бұрын
The answers thing I haven't thought about before but it's a fascinating angle I can't stop thinking about it
@bubz3t136
@bubz3t136 Жыл бұрын
Hey, there's a guy here on KZfaq who is telling people that it's impossible for writers to get a show on TV unless they are freemasons - is this true?
@SM-gd6jh
@SM-gd6jh Жыл бұрын
Can you make a video on how to get your scripts to a production channel for people like me who have no clue
@SM-gd6jh
@SM-gd6jh Жыл бұрын
I really loved it❤❤❤❤❤❤ would use your wisdom ❤
@two-moonz2953
@two-moonz2953 Жыл бұрын
Amazing. In process of creating animated TV pilot. Fantastic information. Thank you. New sub
@SallyBunBun
@SallyBunBun Жыл бұрын
I can’t see the link for the “7 ways to improve your script right now”
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 Жыл бұрын
Sorry about that. I've stopped using that platform - but you can actually find the content of that PDF over here at the Situation Room substack: thesitutationroom.substack.com where lots more content will be dropping throughout the year.
@SallyBunBun
@SallyBunBun Жыл бұрын
@@thesituationroom9026 I signed up you your course a few days ago :) - the full one But will check the link too, case it is extra material. Thank you for getting back to me.
@pedrocatoira2695
@pedrocatoira2695 Жыл бұрын
The Nanny
@riteshthahryani
@riteshthahryani Жыл бұрын
can you suggest a book on writing sitcom
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 Жыл бұрын
Yes! This one! jamescary.samcart.com/products/writing-that-sitcom Also available for Kindle on Amazon.
@HelloMisterJAMWAH
@HelloMisterJAMWAH Жыл бұрын
I ran into this problem earlier this year. Having the inciting incident be the setup for multiple ongoing episodes rather than a plot point in itself exposed how it could only work as a contained story.
@splaff6507
@splaff6507 Жыл бұрын
Great video really helped and inspired me, this channel should get more recognition
@merleetomlin6218
@merleetomlin6218 Жыл бұрын
I'm an aspiring comic illustrator/writer and have an undying love for sitcoms, old and new, and far and wide. I understand the medium isn't exactly the best place for such a genre these day, but I'm just doing this for fun and your advice is extremely helpful and motivating. Cheers!
@hailufentahun7032
@hailufentahun7032 Жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!
@ThirdwingLTD
@ThirdwingLTD Жыл бұрын
I've always found it utterly fascinating how many actors work hard to write their own web series to showcase their talents, where they could do anything they wanted, and just literally do this.
@bigthingsproductions
@bigthingsproductions Жыл бұрын
I can't believe this has so few views. (Though I guess there aren't many sitcom writers our there.)
@VicForAChange
@VicForAChange Жыл бұрын
Your channel has been so helpful to me and my writing! Thank you so much for making these videos!
@rickdonald9305
@rickdonald9305 Жыл бұрын
I am loving these videos! James makes me laugh out loud... a lot!
@rickdonald9305
@rickdonald9305 Жыл бұрын
Hi James. Love your work! Are you available for a chat to help me with a 'hero want' I'm struggling with? I'm writing a 6 half-hour comedy for an Australian network and would love to pick your brain. Paid of course. If so, please let me know, and ill send on my email. Loving your videos
@1Mviewsss
@1Mviewsss Жыл бұрын
Waww thanks
@terrydray
@terrydray Жыл бұрын
Love your work… bluestone was brilliant… Bletchley was too… you definitely inspired me. Thank you got this.
@tharealunclericky5317
@tharealunclericky5317 Жыл бұрын
I need your help with my character
@anonymouslyanonymous7883
@anonymouslyanonymous7883 Жыл бұрын
Amazing. Thank you really
@anonymouslyanonymous7883
@anonymouslyanonymous7883 Жыл бұрын
Fantastic advice, thank you
@OhHappyDayz0011
@OhHappyDayz0011 2 жыл бұрын
You really know your stuff! I learned so much. Lmk when you come out with a course !
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 Жыл бұрын
Hello! Sorry I didn't spot this earlier. I do have a course: jamescary.samcart.com/products/writing-your-sitcom-video-course
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 Жыл бұрын
You could also start reading my new blog on Sitcom Writing: thesitutationroom.substack.com
@wiseprocurement6676
@wiseprocurement6676 2 жыл бұрын
Very useful and interesting, I’m off to watch your other video’s! Thank you for sharing 😊
@Claire.SageGreenCreative
@Claire.SageGreenCreative 2 жыл бұрын
Super engaging channel thanks for all these gems glad I ran into your channel!
@davidaarthur
@davidaarthur 2 жыл бұрын
I just watched the pilot for the US series 'Just Shoot Me', and it was really bizarre in exactly this respect. It starts in the middle, with the main character working at a television station, and it works instantly. But after a couple of minutes, she's fired - and the rest of the show is about her starting a new job!
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 2 жыл бұрын
HA! Thanks for pointing that out, David. Yes, breaking the rules can work if you're experienced and already have a deal with the network, etc. But if you're starting out, start in the middle and stay there, I reckon.
@SJ-rh2xu
@SJ-rh2xu 2 жыл бұрын
James, just come across your videos - you're completely brill, please never stop
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 2 жыл бұрын
Hey, thanks for that encouragement! I really appreciate it. I'm trying to make more, but they take a while. In the meantime, there's hours and hours of content on the Sitcom Geeks podcast, so maybe give that a try?
@jarvids
@jarvids 2 жыл бұрын
Starting in the middle is very much the mantra, as it should be. And I like the initial idea of them fleeing to a remote Scottish island without internet access. But how they can then set up a tech bunker in a warehouse and mine for crypto and run an IT business without internet access may be a stretch. I think the real comedy here would be for these kids to lose everything they ever had - cybermobility - and have to learn to live with public phone boxes that don't work, go to a strange physical entity called "a shop", discover that alcohol can only be acquired in a place called a pub (but not on Sunday) - and even find out that food is stuff that can be pulled out of the ground. Deliveroo up here is the nickname of Mary, the island's only midwife. Not to mention the weird, wonderful yet cynical characters called "local people" who have always lived perfectly well without tech. No - you can't call up Esteo in Brazil any more, but word has it that Jack Laurie a couple of miles down the road has a wireless room and transmitter. And then perhaps at the end of episode six, there's a knock on the door from a very official and serious looking American...
@marcpaters0n
@marcpaters0n 2 жыл бұрын
I have a question (this might not be the best place to ask this I apologise): Do you need an agent?
@thesituationroom9026
@thesituationroom9026 2 жыл бұрын
It helps, but it's not essential. If you don't have an agent, it's worth sending your very best polished script to an agent because they have better contacts than you. But also send the script to people who make stuff you like - and/or a link to something you've made on KZfaq, or a Fringe Show to show your intent/idea/talent.