To email Phil Ramuno click here phil@sitcomcareer.com

To email Mary Lou Belli click here marylou@sitcomcareer.com

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to give us reviews:

I’m preparing for my first sitcom to be shot in Beirut, Lebanon next month and I would like to thank you for your wonderful book The Sitcom Career Book.
This book will help me minimize the risk that I’m taking by shooting sitcom for the first time, in a culture that is not used to the genre, with 8 university students who have never acted.
However, my big question is; will the rules, such as louder, faster, funnier, or comedy comes in three, apply in any culture and in any language?
I know testing is the best way to find out, but on a production that can not afford a second AD this is impossible.
I just wanted to share this with you and if you are interested I will keep you posted may be this way one day you will have influence on the world sitcom industry.
Thank you again.
 
Warm regards
edGar K. jinbachian
filmmaker

edgar,

 Thanks so much for your letter. I'm thrilled that you'll be doing this! All our rules should apply. The trick is in the translation. Remember that the key to humor is surprise. That is why the funny part of the joke should be placed at the end of the punch line. It also triggers the audience to laugh and not miss any information.
Please let us know your progress.
Phil, was in Russia two years ago overseeing the production of sitcoms there and is currently doing the same in Romania. He has also heard from the Czech Rebublic about their use of our book.  You add another country (besides Canada, Poland, Spain etc.) where our book is being utilized. We feel honored .

 

(From Abby Miller from SEENWORK, THE BIG PRODUCTION. VERONICA MARS, AND THE NINE)

Mary Lou.. 
what a freaking treat it was to work with you last night..you are so actor friendly and i appreciated all you had to say about the specifics of 
Sitcoms.  Wow.  I loved it. 
I hope to see you soon Mary Lou.  Good Luck with your second book and know 
that your passion and energy towards actors and their work only makes them 
want it more...and that is a beautiful gift to give. Thanks again! 
 

 (From Lisa Ruud)  I want to thank you for your book.  It really is the best book I've read on sitcom acting.  I never really understood what made jokes funny until you broke them down so simply.  Nor did I realize their were so many different types of jokes!  And your explanation of the different activities per day on
a sitcom set helped immensely.  I gave you 5 stars on Amazon.com!  Thanks again! 

(From Mitchell Fink)  I did buy your book and shortly thereafter booked my first multi-camera job and was able to have a better understanding of what to expect when I got to set.  It's a great book and thank you again for sharing your "secrets" Take care and look forward to our paths crossing on a sound stage someday soon. 
 

(From Patti Grogan MD) It's wonderful that people in your position are role models to the young ones. Thanks again.  

(From Amazon) There's nothing better than learning and laughing put together. Mary Lou Belli has created a sitcom textbook that everyone in the television industry (not just the actor), should have in their library. From the costume designer & script superviser to the writer & technical coordinator, everyone who plays a part in making a sitcom successful is discussed. You'll learn sitcom terminology and have fun reading comments and stories from legends. There are even quizzes! But all fun! No pulling teeth with this one. Thank you Mary Lou and Phil for this informative book. I'm now ready to go get my sitcom!     -Gabrielle "Actress" (North Hollywood, CA)

For those of us who love sitcoms and wonder what makes them tick, this is a splendid book, even if you aren't pursuing a career in the genre. If you are, it's especially invaluable. Now, back to hone my pilot...                        -Vincent Paterno

         
Now I want to go back through it and really study it since there is so much information and my first read through was just to make an overview. Wow! It is awesome. So much I didn't know or even know to think about.            - Isabella Way

"The Sitcom Career Book" should be called "The Sitcom Bible."  A must for actors, writers, directors...anyone who wants a career in Televsion Comedy.  It has everything you've ever wanted to know about Sitcoms and were afraid to ask.  Bravo to Mary Lou and Phil for truly nailing the process.  And it's a fun read.    - Shelley Morrison, Actress (Will and Grace) 

The most specific book ever written on the [sitcom] subject.  -Jeremiah Morris, Actor, Director (Frasier, Becker, News Radio, Barney Miller, Quincy) 

When we were in LA I had started reading your book.  I got interrupted before I got very far (life, prepping the school for the upcoming year, installing new equipment, etc.).  I was able to pick it up last week and finished it yesterday.  It is wonderful.  You did a great job.  Informative, fast moving and very funny.  I wish you had written it while I was still in the game.  I could have avoided a lot of mistakes.  It will be, if it isn't already, the WORD on Sit Coms.  It is so, so good.  It is going to help so many young actors coming up through the ranks.  I hope it is selling well and you are getting the attention you deserve.  Congratulations.   -John Swain 

(From Amazon)  The authors leave no stone unturned as they walk you through every aspect of sitcoms.  Required reading for anyone looking to break in.      - 25 years in the business (Brentwood, California)

Reading this book confirmed that sitcoms was the career path for me.  It's a fun, insightful and inspiring read and has become one of my favoirte books in my acting library.  I will be forever grateful to Mary Lou and Phil for developing such a valuable resource.  I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a career in sitcoms in a heartbeat.  A very wise investment.          - Robert Keniston

(From Amazon)  I just finished reading this book and enjoyed it. It read like a mgazine article.  Info, info, personal account, summaries, and recaps.  It kept me interested by giving the personal insights of actors, casting directors and sitcom verts (all recognizable names nless you're under a rock) who are point blank right on...they don't mince words and the honesty is refreshing and often amusing.  They quiz their readers at the end of each section, walk you through a week on set and negate the purchase of any other "how-to" sitcom book for an actor.                   -William (Hollywood, CA)

This book is priceless.  The insights offered by Mary Lou and Phil obviously come from years of hinds-on experience.  Add to that the variety of personal comments from people in all aspects of the sitcom world.  Thanks you all for sharing your knowledge with us!!!  Thank you to Mary Lou and Phil for organizing it all into one fun, easy to read book.        -Alyssa Lobit

I have a litany of books on writing, acting, the "biz" and this is a great addition to my collection.  Its quite clear this book was written by pros who know their craft, and who where also able to cature the opinions of other great craftsmen and women in different related areas in the field.  I have recommended it to friends, and will definitely continue to do so.  Thanks for a great read.        -Bianca Sams

This book has inspired me to achieve my dream to become a working actor in Hollywood. At times, it's a challenging path, but this book offers practical and thoughtful tips that will help me to advance my career to the next level. Thank you for giving us this gem of a book, Mary Lou Belli and Phil Ramuno!  (Michelle Flowers "michelleflowers.com"

This book is a must read for students contemplating the change to the real world of television employment. Concise, compassionate and clear, I recommend this volume to all the students who come my way. (Susan Merson "Author")

 

To add any other comments please email us.