Writing the Comedy Pilot Script Navigating through the challenging process of writing a comedy pilot, this book will help screenwriters to create an original script for television. Practical and accessible, the book presents a step-by-step guide focusing on the key elements of the process. 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 Manny 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 1st, 2nd 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 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. It is ideal for students of screenwriting and aspiring comedy screenwriters. Manny Basanese is an Associate Professor at Emerson College in Boston and has been teaching screenwriting in their innovative Comedic Arts program since 2014. Before that, Manny was a sitcom writer/producer. His credits include Wizards of Waverly Place, The Steve Harvey Show, Family Matters, True Jackson, V.P. and The Tracey Ullman Show. In addition to his series and staff work, Manny has sold comedy pilots to “E!” Channel, Sony Television, The Disney Channel and Paramount. Manny has been a member of the Writers Guild of America since 1987. Writing the Comedy Pilot Script A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Original TV Series Manny Basanese First published 2022 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2022 Manny Basanese The right of Manny Basanese to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Basanese, Manny, author. Title: Writing the comedy pilot script : a step-by-step guide to creating an original TV series / Manny Basanese. Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2022. | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2021028826 (print) | LCCN 2021028827 (ebook) | ISBN 9780367623067 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367623050 (paperback) | ISBN 9781003108788 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Television authorship. | Television comedies— Authorship. | Television pilot programs—Authorship. Classification: LCC PN1992.7 .B33 2022 (print) | LCC PN1992.7 (ebook) | DDC 808.2/25—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021028826 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021028827 ISBN: 978-0-367-62306-7 (hbk) ISBN: 978-0-367-62305-0 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-003-10878-8 (ebk) DOI: 10.4324/9781003108788 Typeset in Bembo by Apex CoVantage, LLC To my wonderful parents, Frank and Ann. Thank you for all the love, laughter and letting me watch way too much TV. Contents Acknowledgments ix Introduction: the serious business of comedy: why laughing matters 1 1 What is a pilot and why write one? 4 2 Getting started: turning your idea into a comic pilot premise 7 3 Single or multi-cam? Workplace or family comedy? Decisions, decisions! 15 4 Rise of the dramedy 27 5 The animated comedy pilot 32 6 The “tween” comedy pilot 38 7 Choose your platform: network, cable or streaming? 44 8 Comic characters: finding the funny 51 9 Finding your pilot story 59 10 Sitcom story structure: it’s no joke! 67 11 Crafting your pilot logline 73 12 Pilot outline: blueprint for success 78 viii Contents 13 Your plot device toolbox 87 14 Your Cold Open: grab us! 97 15 Your pilot’s beginning: setting up your series “world” 104 16 Middle magic: obstacles, complications and escalation 111 17 Your pilot ending: begin where you finish! 116 18 Your 2nd draft: making a good thing better 124 19 A note about notes 131 20 The power of punch-up: mining the laughs 135 21 Your polished pilot draft: is it ready to show? 144 22 Pilot pitch prep! 148 23 Breaking in: marketing your comedy pilot (and yourself!) 158 Index 166 Acknowledgments Many thanks to Claire Margerison, Sarah Pickles, Katie Armstrong, Sathish Mohan as well as the entire stellar crew at Focal Press/Routledge who patiently guided me through the publishing process. Martie Cook for her guidance, wisdom and willingness to listen to me end- lessly whine about how hard it is to write a book. My other esteemed colleagues at Emerson College (particularly those in Screenwriting and the Comedic Arts Program). UCLA M.F.A. Program in Screenwriting. UCLA Extension. Writers Guild of America, West. All of the talented, gifted and funny comedy writers I have had the oppor- tunity to work with and learn from other the years, particularly Jim Evering, Rick Hawkins and Winifred Hervey. My awesome and always supportive siblings, Maria, Anne, Frank and Gabriel. And of course, all of my funny, wise and talented screenwriting students for keeping me current and always on my toes (even that one in the back who keeps looking at his phone!).