Stage 32 just announced its 4th Annual TV Comedy Screenwriting Contest in today’s blog (www.stage32.com/blog/announcing-the-4th-annual-tv-comedy-screenwriting-c...)!
If you have a TV Comedy story that needs to be told, now is the time to show Stage 32 what you’ve got, because our goal is to amplify your voice, give you the access Stage 32 is known for, and take your writing career to the next level!
Here’s the direct link to enter the contest: www.stage32.com/happy-writers/contests/4th-Annual-TV-Comedy-Contest?affi...
1 person likes this
What's the criteria for judging the scripts? Is it "omigod wouldn't it be amazing to see this on television?"
I'm not sure, Richard Buzzell. Someone at contests@stage32.com should know.
1 person likes this
Hi Richard Buzzell! That's a great question - when it comes to contests, the readers/judges are always looking for scripts that are correctly formatted (spelling, grammar), and the writing is well structured (I know that there's some debate about which structure is 'right', but there are certain things that are universal), and reads well! For the TV comedy-side of things, yes, you should make the reader laugh, have a point of view/strong voice, and it should make for a show someone would want to watch - but that is also subjective. So what this all boils down to is write something that when someone is reading it they can't put it down and makes them laugh.
I hope this answers your question but let me know if you need more!
1 person likes this
Hey Richard Buzzell ! We also offer coverage as an option with all contest entries so remember those basic categories play a part in reading all scripts, regardless of the reason. Formatting, Concept & Originality, Characterization & Dialogue, Plot & Structure, and Budget & Commercial Prospects. Budget/Commercial Prospects is going to be informed by whatever the contest is but the other 4 categories are what would fall under what Emily refers to above as "universal".
1 person likes this
Get your scripts in writers!
1 person likes this
Awesome Maurice, you got any comedy screenplays laying around?
1 person likes this
I don't have any TV Comedy screenplays, but if I did, I'd definitely enter, Billy Kwack.
1 person likes this
Hi Maurice, I don't have any myself. I have one in the future called, 2 teens and a hobo
1 person likes this
Richard Buzzell The criteria under evaluation includes areas such as your base premise, the plot, what's the pacing like, technical execution, the character and narrative arcs, character development, dialogue (for comedy specifically = is it funny?), the writer's narrative voice, exploration of themes i.e. how those themes are introduced then executed on, general audience appeal (is this a show you could see on a network? would it fit it on a streaming service?), then finally the "It" or "Wow" factor i.e. does you script impress pretty much everyone who reads it?
"2 Teens and a Hobo" sounds like an adult animated show, Billy Kwack.
2 people like this
I wonder if they would accept an hour-long comedy. I know it's unconventional but I read an article on flavorwire talking about how shows like Shameless and Jane the Virgin fought to be labelled comedies even though they didn't fit into the half-hour slot. https://www.flavorwire.com/510087/how-the-rise-of-the-hourlong-comedy-is....
Sounds like the criteria are going to be the industry-standard checklist. The very checklist that's been used for years now and has led us to the current situation of being awash in successful sitcoms. Oh wait a minute, I might be mistaken about that. Perhaps we are not awash in great sitcoms. Oh well, the important thing is that no-one gets any ideas about trying to change this dysfunctional process. Checklist forever!!!
3 people like this
Maria Restivo Glassner Yes, hour long comedy pilots are accepted. It's definitely unconventional but it's impossible to say what the new conventions of tomorrow might be. Some people even say Succession is a sitcom! The form is definitely evolving a lot more these days and people/companies are open to accept new formats for familiar genres. So if you've got an hour comedy pilot, fire away!
2 people like this
Richard Buzzell There is no checklist. Those are standard criteria for evaluating any script. Just because what is basically always a subjective evaluation has been contextualized into a written format to be more readily understood does not mean it's just checklist or the only criteria for evaluation. That's just an idea of what readers are instructed to evaluate scripts on. However, all of Stage 32's readers have extensive resumes of industry experience and have been evaluating scripts at a high level for a very long time. So they bring their own insider knowledge and unique perspective on what works to the process of evaluating material as well. I am hoping to add a Judging Criteria section to the FAQs page soon though.
And I wouldn't say modern TV comedy is done. Sitcoms have gone awash and are numbingly formulaic, but we're not just looking for network sitcoms. The Bear, Dave, Atlanta, Woke, Beef, This Fool, The Curse, etc. are all recent TV Comedies that don't follow traditional sitcom format and are some of the most popular shows on streaming these days. There's really only one rule when it comes to writing TV comedy. Just be funny!
2 people like this
Pat Alexander Thanks Pat! That is encouraging.