WRITE A SITCOM
STRUCTURE
Not all comedy writers like to admit they follow a set structure. And some don’t - although some do without really knowing it of course. But the following is generally considered to be useful, and even vital to most writing.
Three Act Structure
Every show is divided into 3 acts. An act is defined as a volume of writing which ends in major turnaround for our protagonist/lead player.
​
-
The beginning of Act 1 should include the trigger (what some dramatist call the inciting incident.) This is the event that kicks off the main storyline. eg The phone call that tells you that your mother is coming today.
-
The end of Act 1 should be a big surprise. An event that pushes that plot on more than we had expected.
-
The end of Act 2 is a false ending to the story. It should be opposite from our real ending. So if we want a happy ending at the end of Act 3, Act 2 should end on a down note.
-
The end of Act 3 is the story’s climax (don’t forget the surprise ending).
This may confusing. It’s not really. Here’s a simple example
ACTS
The trigger – Mother rings and tells you she is coming to stay. You are happy and can’t wait to see her again.
End of Act 1 – Mother arrives with her 21 year old Spanish toy boy lover in tow. She announces that they are about to marry! Shock! Horror! Commercial break!
End of Act 2 – You and your mum have a showdown. You tell her that she is making a fool of herself. If she marries, you never want to see her again. She says so be it. They will leave first thing in the morning. Bad feelings all round. (Very negative false ending)
End of Act 3 – Something happens that changes your mind. You realise that you have been unfair. You cannot run your mother’s life for her. You apologise to her and wish her all the best in married life. And then hug. It’s only then that mum reveals that she has decided not to get married after all and has thrown him out! (The surprise ending).
The finale of Act 3 (which is usually your shortest act) is usually then followed by one or more tiny scenes. This scene is there to calm things down after all the action of the climax and also to make sure we go out with a laugh.
SCENES
Every scene must move the plot on. No scene should be there just because it’s funny. A good test of a tightly written show is that if you remove any one of the scenes the story would no longer make sense. If it still exists quite nicely then you’ve done something wrong. As far as a scene’s concerned if it could come out then it should come out.
Plot and Structure
Jamie Demetriou, Writer of Stath Lets Flats