02 Dec Playing a Sitcom
“When you’re [playing] a sitcom effectively, you almost need to treat them like a play. Not exactly, but almost.” – Brad Heller
COMEDY AND THE INDUSTRY
In an industry filled with multiple genres, techniques, and styles, there is always one specific style or technique that clicks with each individual. Each individual may understand multiple genres, styles, and techniques. However, there is a specific type of genre, technique, or style that is effective for the actor, the performer, the human being.
In this case, playing a sitcom has a very specific style and technique to enhance the genre.
PACING
For example, pacing is key. The timing of the jokes and the writing and often even the characters’ thoughts are important. Therefore, the pacing cannot be too slow or the jokes just do not land–the time between set-up and punchline lingers and loses energy.
On the other hand, the pacing cannot be too fast, either. The audience does not have time to process the jokes. That, or the pacing is so fast they they do not clearly understand everything being said or done. Playing a sitcom with regards to pacing is very important. This is a skill that requires focus, determination, and training.
In addition, a sitcom is similar to a farce. While they are both styles of comedy, they both involve heightening the comedy and going to emotional extremes in order to punch up the humor and make a joke land as strongly as possible.
Eccentric, unusual, and odd are just some words to describe many characters in sitcoms—the characters have to be weird.
THE AUDIENCE
However, despite emotional extremes and heightening a character’s quirkiness or zaniness, the audience still has to believe the characters and cannot. Therefore, the zaniness and wackiness cannot be in expense of the truth and honesty of the characters.
Truth, honesty, and believability of characters is important. The timing and pacing of the scene is important.
That’s why sitcoms are a challenging style. Not only does it rely on strong performances, it also relies on timing and the ability to balance the two elements in playing a sitcom.
Brad’s thoughts here: Playing a Sitcom (Brad Heller)