Because sitcoms are unlike feature films, Web series, or any other distinct medium, breaking down the script needs to be done specifically with their structure in mind.
Here are three mistakes to avoid when breaking down a sitcom script.
1. Creating “want statements” that are so general they’re not really even want statements. Whether you refer to it as your character’s want statement, goal, objective, or desire, we all know each character is trying to achieve something by engaging the other character(s) in the scene. Quite often actors identify their character’s want in a way that is so general it could apply to any scene.
When a want statement is worded along the lines of “I want her to understand that…” or “I want him to know that…” or “I want to prove why…” etc., all that’s really happening is the actor is paraphrasing what the character is saying.
In other words, there’s no attachment to desire underneath the words, just the general and apparent idea of the words. This is particularly dangerous because the want statement is technically not wrong, however, it lacks heart and psychology. Ultimately, it’s not really an
Leave a Reply