Week 7: Last Workshop on Setups

Today we did two more rounds of workshopping on the scripts (Reader Feedback #3 and #4), focusing on the hero's dramatic need in the setup.

We also watched an episode of Strangers with Candy and talked about "what's at stake" for the main character, how obstacles arise partly because of the character's own flaws, and how the character must help bring about the solution to the problem.

Pretty soon you're going to be writing the rest of your sitcom script; in preparation, the homework is to write a beatsheet for the rest of the story. Length is up to you; write whatever will be useful to you as a "blueprint".

Also, we reviewed script format: dialogue column centered on the page, but lines have flush left margin (not centered as verse); dialogue column indented on both sides; sluglines contain only location information, not stage directions or dialogue; stage directions single spaced, dialogue double spaced.

I collected the sitcom-setup scripts (the 3/3 draft and the revision) and Reader Feedback #1 and #2.

HOMEWORK:
Write a beatsheet for the rest of your sitcom episode; due next week in class.