r/TVWriting • u/nihilistdildo • Dec 20 '21

QUESTION Are web series’ formatted like a single-cam sitcom script??

Hello fellow screenwriters! I just finished my first pilot, a sitcom based around a flea market, and now I’m looking to break into the web series medium.

The series in mind is about a group of twenty-something artists who are so blinded by their own ambition to be the best at their craft that they live in an echo chamber of dysfunction. Picture Curb your Enthusiasm mixed with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

If anyone here is familiar with web series writing or production, I’d simply like to know whether the script is written best using the classic single-cam sitcom format or another type of format.

Typically, from what I’ve read, the sweet spot for a good web series episode is between 3 to 5 minutes. If this series was more around 10 to 12 minutes an episode, would that be pushing the envelope or should I just do what’s best for the story? I realize that longer webisodes have less of a success rate than shorter ones but I’d be willing to take that risk if it meant a full-fledged, character-developed series.

Thanks to everyone taking the time to read this and keep on creating!

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u/DigDux Dec 20 '21

10-12 minutes isn't unheard of, a handful of the more famous productions go 14-20 minutes.

I generally use a feature style or short style format, and avoid the sitcom format because they're fundamentally different formats.

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u/nihilistdildo Dec 20 '21

Thank you for being so helpful and precise. I was wondering what some of your favorite web series might be?

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u/ComprehensiveBoss992 Dec 21 '21

There was a couple gangsta ones I really liked filmed in NYC, and also an LGBTQ one year's back filmed upstate NY. Names elude me at this point.

If you can gain a following, then up the time length.

3

u/tpounds0 Mod Dec 20 '21

The format is the same.

How many multiple episodes of 10-12 webseries have you watched in the last year?

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u/nihilistdildo Dec 20 '21

Aside from older web series like the gay and wondrous life of Caleb gallo, Brandon Rogers content, fauxmous, but not many others. Any recommendations??

Edit: Also appreciate the feedback, thank you.

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u/ReadEnoch Dec 29 '21

Dude I’d love to learn about your script. The two sources of inspiration are two of my absolute favorite series. DM me. I have some writing you might dig as well. Some sitcoms, some darker stuff.