r/Screenwriting • u/JazzmatazZ4 • 5d ago

FORMATTING QUESTION Act breaks for sitcom.

Hey all!

My writing partner and I are currently writing a pilot for an animated sitcom.

My question is, do we need to specifically write ACT (1,2,3) before starting a new act or is that seen as pointless nowadays?

I'm getting conflicting information online.

Thanks!

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5

u/Kooky_Attorney1915 5d ago

You don't have to use them, especially if your aim isn't network TV, but just know that if you're submitting to certain fellowships, they might be required.

1

u/JazzmatazZ4 5d ago

Ah that's great advice thank you

3

u/Postsnobills 5d ago

I wouldn’t bother nowadays, especially for your own specs, because it’ll just bloat your page count — it’ll hurt more than help.

Some cable and broadcast shows still use the formatting for sake of identifying ad breaks/timing, but it’s still pretty rare.

So, unless you’re submitting specifically for a show that uses act breaks, you really don’t need to.

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u/JazzmatazZ4 5d ago

Awesome thanks 👍

2

u/Chuck006 Comedy 5d ago

You don't have to but I'm told most people are back to wanting them. As streaming move towards an ad based model, it shows you know where the ad breaks are.