How does sit-com work?

Question

there's a stage and there's audiences, and when they changed between scenes, do the audience move? Can anyone explain how it works? i'm really curious.

Answer 1

The way a sitcom is done is very similar to seeing a live stage production. A sitcom is done on a sound stage and the audience sit on like high rise bleachers. Now most of the main scenes are done in front of the audience take "Friends" a sitcom that I am sure you have seen most every episode the action either takes place at the coffee house or between the two apartments those sets will be right next to each other in fromt of the audience. Now lets say Rachel goes on a date to a restraunt or we see Joey at work now those sets that are not apart of the show are either taped earlier at a different location or can be shot off to the far side of the main sets so it is really hard for the audience to see you usually end watching the scene on the monitors. Its very interesting to watch the different takes because sometimes the actors will change the joke to see which works better, switch lines one character might give the punchline to the joke and the next time another character will give the punchline.

Most shows obviously are shot in the Los Angeles area and there free to go see just go on the network website usually and they will give you tickets you can reserve the show and date you want. If you ever do go be advise get there early cause at times they can turn away people and if its a very popular show sometimes there is a waiting list to get to see it. Hope this helped you.  Also usually a 20 minute sitcom can take 2-3 hours to shoot.

Answer 2

Not all sitcoms are in front of live studio audiences, some are done on location. Look up situation comedy online and you'll find the answer to your question.