Elephant Bucks: The Inside Guide to Writing for TV Sitcoms

by Sheldon Bull

Publisher A comprehensive guide to writing a highly commerical and saleable spec sitcom script and launching your career as a TV sitcom writer. Includes detailed inside information on how to choose the right series to spec, how to pick the right story, and detailed, step by step instruction on how to write the scripts that will get you work.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Tv

266 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by the teacher of the first screenwriting class I ever took. I could not have been more lucky to have him as a teacher. He's not negative, he's very encouraging, and even though I would always cringe when getting comments from him, I would read them and realize he was always right. He just wanted to improve upon the work I was already doing. Plus, he's very funny and neurotic and just someone very pleasant to be around.

He's simplified a way to come up with ideas for half-hour comedies and when I watch a show, sometimes I find myself deconstructing it based on his seven steps. Reading this book was just like talking to him.

If you ever have a chance to take a class with him, I would highly recommend it.

http://www2.uclaextension.edu/writers...

[Courtney Birnbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes highly recommended for aspiring comedy television writers, and it did not disappoint. The first section of this detailed guide breaks down the structure of writing according to the demands of sitcom shows: choosing a story, breaking down the plot, developing interest and finally adding the jokes, all through a lens of making sure the reading writer understands what is expected of you through the process of searching, finding and keeping a job. The second section of the book discusses that in further detail, offering advice on how to behave on staff, when to get an agent (WAIT!) and more — essentially a guide to life as a professional screenwriter.

This is the best book I've read about writing for television, and although it has nothing to say on the newest shows, since the book premiered about the time of "Two and a Half Men"'s second season, there is so much to learn from past television that this should be no issue.

[Matthew Ogborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be a bit out of date now, however this is still packed with wisdom for those people looking to pursue a career in TV sitcom writing whether it is studio based sitcoms or location shooting. Bull’s eclectic experience from classics like M*A*S*H through to Sabrina the Teenage Witch is fascinating and gives writers loads of tools in terms of tackling scripts, dealing with writers’ room egos and picking your agent.

[Tristan Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts to feel pretty dated, especially after a more modern book like Save the Cat Writes for TV. Still, a really good breakdown of many TV shows and a lot of helpful suggestions for the spec script writing process.

[Dylan Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

EZ loves this one.

[Mahmoud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't find the proper words to describe this remarkable work of art. Sheldon Bull has carefully laid out almost everything he knows about sitcom writing. It’s like you stopped by his house and asked for advice. I’ve read a book on sitcom writing before and it’s not even close this one. Most screenwriting books are written by people who weren’t very successful in the field but are very articulate and better at writing about writing. Well, Mr. Bull is obviously not one of those. The guy worked on M*A*S*H. He created Newhart and Sabrina. So, yeah, this is THE BOOK. Throughout the chapters, many points are being continuously repeated but that doesn’t make it any less good. On the contrary, I found that to be pretty helpful. I started making my own spec scripts following the guidelines set by Bull. And I have to say that my writing has remarkably improved when compared to my previous scripts.

[Amber Leigh]

I found this book really helpful. Sheldon breaks down and provides great examples on how to create a spec script. With his guidance I hope to not only write a spec script but use his techniques to create sketch comedy scripts as well.

[Ian Kloester · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read by a guy who obviously knows what he is talking about.

[Pete Acott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solidly written, some good tips.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for a newbie to have a basic sense about the life of a TV writer.

[Tom Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elephant Bucks is a great read. It's entertaining and informative. I was able to understand the structure of a TV show, and I even wrote my own practice script based on the guidance from this book. I recommend it to anyone interest in the TV and film industry.