An Example Beat Sheet
Title Of Pitch
CAST
Joe - Focus Group Leader
Jane - Linda
Joy - Mark
Jen - Sue
Log Line: A focus group tests out new flavors of Ranch Dressing
Beginning:
Focus group is introduced and they taste test a simple version of the dressing.
Middle:
The focus group leader lets the group know that if you give a good quote you could make money and it’ll be used in the Ad Campaign.
End:
The Scene ends with Linda doing whatever it takes to win the extra money
SKETCH TERMINOLOGY
Sketch: a comedic exploration of a concept, character, or situation
Skit: (single) dramatized joke (or "bit")
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Grounding: The base reality of the scene. The who, what, where of the scene.
Premise/Game: The comedic idea in the scene/ the unusual element in the scene.
Beats: a moment that propels the sketch forward usually by changing in reaction or circumstance
Heighten: Expanding the comedic idea to the next comedic beat
Explore: Using the base reality to flesh out the rest of the scene. Then If this happens then what happens next
Button/Out: The last joke, beat, or moment of the sketch.
Types of Sketches:
Mapping: Take a known situation or behavior and transpose in a different set of specifics (ex: Clown Doctor)
Blackout: A short sketch that ends with a single joke or punch line.
Runner: A series of short blackouts that are all related to one another