Quick answer: Viewers will scroll past an ad, but they stop for a married couple trading tricks. That is the spirit of Nha Co Chien Thuat ("A House with Tactics"), the sitcom Now Agency produced for AUX in Vietnam. This behind-the-scenes article opens up the set and shares 7 things to prepare when producing a branded sitcom: from script, casting and location to cutting it into short video clips for TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts.

Updated: October 2026.

Poster for the AUX sitcom Nha Co Chien Thuat in Vietnam

Why make a sitcom instead of another ad?

  • People come for the story and stay to find out what happens next.
  • The product appears in real life, rather than in a list of features.
  • One shoot, many assets: episodes, short video clips, behind-the-scenes photos, social content.
  • Easy to share: everyone knows a marriage or home story, so viewers tag and comment.

Behind the scenes: 7 things to prepare when producing a branded sitcom

1. Lock the message first, write the story second

A branded sitcom fails fastest when the script is funny but nobody remembers the brand, or when the product is pushed so hard it turns into an ad. For AUX, the story revolves around a new home and a couple's tricks, with the air conditioner appearing as a natural part of daily life. Before writing, agree with the client on which product point each episode highlights and whether the goal is awareness, engagement or conversion.

AUX CD PureAir air conditioner on display with feature information including voice control and wifi

2. The script needs a hook in the first 3 seconds

Unlike a long-form series, a short-video sitcom has no time for setup. Each episode needs three things: an everyday conflict from the start, an unexpected turn, and a closing line good enough to send to your partner. Write the scenes and dialogue in advance, but leave room for actors to improvise.

Two actors performing a couple's argument at a table in the sitcom with a camera in the foreground

3. Cast for chemistry, not just looks

Sitcoms live on the rhythm of the exchange. At auditions, have two actors read real dialogue together rather than casting them separately. The listener's expression is often funnier than the speaker's line, so the frame needs room for both.

Two actors in conversation in a living room set with AUX mugs on the table and a Sony camera filming

4. Make the set feel like a real home and place the product smartly

Bookshelves, plants, a vase, a table: the set is dressed like a lived-in home, in light tones so characters stand out on a phone screen. AUX branding appears just enough, on the mugs and the air conditioner on the wall. That is branded content: viewers recognize the brand without feeling sold to. With a fixed product like an air conditioner, choose the location and unit position during the recce, not on the shoot day.

5. Light and sound: unnoticed until they are missing

A sitcom needs soft, even light that holds skin tones with little adjustment between scenes. On set, large softboxes shaped the light alongside natural window light. Dialogue is the soul of a sitcom, so check sound on the spot; fans, air conditioners and street noise must be handled before rolling.

Crew setting a large softbox and camera in front of two actors behind the scenes of the AUX sitcom

6. Group scenes to shoot several episodes in a day

Location and talent are major costs, so plan each shoot day carefully. Group scenes by location and wardrobe rather than episode order, and prepare props, costume changes and a scene tracking sheet in advance. After each scene, someone should check picture, dialogue and prop continuity before moving on.

Now Agency crew adjusting a camera beneath an AUX air conditioner on the sitcom set

7. Shoot to cut: one episode, many short video clips

Mark lines in the script that can stand alone as short videos. Leave room for vertical 9:16 framing and subtitles, because many people watch without sound. Behind-the-scenes footage is content too: bloopers, actor reactions and crew stories are very shareable.

Branded sitcom production checklist

StageWhat to do
Pre-production: strategyAgree objectives, message, product point per episode and channels
Pre-production: planningScript, casting, location recce, props, shoot schedule, client script approval
Shoot dayLighting, sound, checking dialogue and product information, capturing behind-the-scenes footage
Post-productionMain edit, subtitles, music, short video cuts, video covers
DistributionPosting schedule, titles, hashtags, tracking completion rate and comments to adjust the next episode

See also short video production trends 2027, what a production house is and TikTok marketing agency in Vietnam.

Frequently asked questions about branded sitcoms

How is a branded sitcom different from a regular ad?

An ad talks about the product; a sitcom tells an everyday story with the product as part of it. People choose to watch because it entertains them.

How long should a short-video sitcom episode be?

It depends on the platform and goal. Keep episodes short, get straight into the story and cut shorter clips for TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts.

How can a sitcom trend?

Nobody can guarantee a video will go viral, but you can improve the odds: a relatable conflict, a strong first 3 seconds, a shareable closing line, regular posting and reading comments to shape the next episode.

What does Now handle?

Idea, script, casting, location, filming, post-production and short video distribution planning.

Need a sitcom or short videos for your brand?

Now Agency is a production house that supports brands in Vietnam from idea and script to filming, editing and distribution.