This guided tour of the American situation comedy is given by one of the most prolific directors of the genre. Brooklyn native Joel Zwick began his career in the late 1960s at La MaMa, a New York experimental theater club, before moving to Hollywood to become a successful director during the sitcom's golden age. He describes the 10 steps of sitcom production and outlines the five-day process, from the early "table read" to the final shoot in front of a live audience. Behind-the-scenes anecdotes include personal and professional experiences with actors Tom Hanks, Penny Marshall, Robin Williams, Jamie Foxx, the cast of Full House and many more.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Foreword by Tom Hanks Introduction by Rosario J. Roveto, Jr. Joel’s Approach to the Sitcom Step 1: Preparation Day 1: Meetings and Rehearsal Production Meeting: Prep and Execution Mechanics of the Production Meeting and Making Decisions Special Equipment Visualization of the Set The Table Read The Pilot: How You Can Help Shape a Show The Table Read for Your First Time Directing a Show Putting It on Its Feet Rehearsal Advice for the ­First-Timer on a Show Rehearsing Joel’s Style and Actor Resistance Step 2: Staging Day 2: Building a Solid Foundation Staging: Set Notes for Camera and ­First-Time Advice Staging: Applying the Learned Scene Staging: The Physical Manifestation of the Story Disciplining the Physical Excesses of an Actor Step 3: Dialogue Day 2: Engaging the Actors The Importance of Dialogue Pacing and Cues and Acting Styles Rules of Comedy and Directing Actors But I Didn’t Study Acting … Sense of Humor Step 4: Fine Tuning the Acting Day 2: The Tools of the Craft Time Management The Importance of Props Lines, Movement and Placement Step 5: Writers’ and Producers’ ­Run-Through Day 2: Final Preparation Writer-Producer ­Run-Through Making Animals and Actors Work Step 6: Applying Producer Notes Day 3: How to Improve the Play Preparing for the Network ­Run-Through Step 7: Network ­Run-Through Day 3: Performing for the Network Importance of the Network ­Run-Through Step 8: Shooting the Show Day 4: Preparing for the Shoot The Shooting Draft and the Technical Crew Definition of Framing and Composition Camera Shots and Coverage The Proscenium and Its Multiples The Importance of Resets The Short Wall Pass Coverage Conceptualizing the Story with Four Cameras Commercial Breaks Traditional Camera Blocking with ­Stand-Ins Specialty Shots: Do You or Don’t You ­Reinvent the Show? Is Shooting Comedy Formulaic? Step 9: Adjusting the Shoot Day 4: Accomodating the Network and Producers Network Notes and the Changing Industry Step 10: Final Shoot Day 5: Performing for a Live Audience Show Time The Booth vs. the Floor The Director’s Cut Conclusion Making Comedy Fun: The Life of a Sitcom Director Separating Your Style from the System Glossary Index