The following guidelines are for a generic sitcom script. The first thing to remember is:
EVERY SHOW HAS ITS OWN SPECIFIC FORMAT!
That means, industry standards vary from show to show, studio to studio. The margins and settings in this tutorial are overall guidelines for a sitcom.
If you want to write a spec sitcom script in the format of a particular show, it is advised to load the TV Template for that show (see Loading a Template) or obtain a copy of that show's script and adjust the format accordingly. NOTE: many script available are SHOOTING scripts that were used in the production process, so compensate accordingly for a spec script (no Scene Heading numbers or continueds, etc.).
The sitcom format is arranged differently than that of a screenplay. The "one-minute-per-page" rule does not apply because dialogue is double-spaced. The average length of a sitcom script is about 40-50 pages. It usually consists of a Teaser/Cold Opening/Prologue, three Acts, and sometimes a Tag or Epilogue.
To configure the formatting to your personal writing style, see Customizing Screenwriter > Script Format Options.
Title Page
The title (cover) page of sitcom is identical to a screenplay with the addition of the episode title. It typically uses Courier (or Courier New) 12pt. The title of the series, the episode name and author's line should be centered vertically and horizontally on the page, as well as double- (or triple-) spaced.
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The series title is in ALL CAPS. |
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The episode title is in ALL CAPS enclosed in quotes. |
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The author's name appears in Intial Caps. |
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The contact information is generally in the lower left corner, single-spaced and left justified. |
Margins
Sictom scripts should have a top and bottom margin of 1.0", although the bottom margin will vary from page-to-page because of the specific page breaking rules (handled automatically by Screenwriter). The left and right margins are specific to each element and are also handled automatically by the program.
Font
As of this writing, the industry standard font for screenplays is Courier 12 pt. This includes any form of Courier, such as Courier New, since it is a monospaced font and takes up 10 characters per inch on the page when at 12 pt. Do not use a proportional font like Times New Roman or Arial.
Header/Footer
A spec sitcom script should have the page number followed by a period in the upper right corner of each page (except page one). Additionally, you can have the Act Break and Scene Label information on a second line under the page number, for example (I-A) would be Act I, Scene A. Sitcoms do not use a footer.
Line Spacing
Elements are separated by one blank line (double-spaced). The exceptions are Parentheticals for actors' instructions.
Page Breaks
Each new Act or Scene of a sitcom should start on a new page. Certain elements should never appear by themselves at the bottom of the page, such as Scene Headings and Shots. Screenwriter automatically handles proper page breaking (including MOREs and CONT'Ds for dialogue) so you, as a writer, do not have to think about it as you are trying to get your ideas onto the page.
