WHEN Thursday, Aug. 24, 6:45-9:45 p.m. LEVEL This class is taught at an beginning to intermediate level. LOCATION offices of mediabistro.com West Hollywood, Calif. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL Seminar price goes up $10 before seminar date, so register soon. MORE INFO Email us, or call (310) 659-5668. PRICE $55 ($40 for ) more info

Course Details

Television shows and commercial films are about the story, and no matter how great the jokes and dialogue, if the structure isn't there, the story won't work. This workshop breaks down story structure to Seven Essentials. The reference point is series television, but these story structure principles apply to every story you will ever write. Viewing the techniques through the shorter format of a TV sitcom makes them easier to see.

In this workshop you'll learn how to build a strong, simple structure that takes the struggle out of script writing. With the framework in place, you'll write scenes and dialogue faster and with more freedom than you ever have before.

• Set up a story that immediately hooks a reader
• Drive the action through your central character
• Identify the turning points that give your story definition
• Use your secondary characters to create conflict
• Devise story obstacles that escalate the action
• Create a powerful payoff

Instructor Bio

Ellen Sandler's Courses

Ellen Sandler received an Emmy nomination as a co-executive producer of the CBS hit Everybody Loves Raymond, and is the author of The TV Writers Workbook (Bantam/Dell, 2007). She has worked as a writer/producer for many other network television comedies including ABC's long running series Coach, and has created original pilots for ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox Family, Disney Channel, and Oxygen, which featured stars Kathy Baker, Katey Sagal, Susan St. James and Megan Mullally. She has been a consultant on pilots developed for The Australian Children's Television Network and the CBC, Canada. Ellen is also a playwright and the co-founder of the newly established Jewish Women's Theatre in Los Angeles. Her short play Jewish Roots was recently performed as a fundraiser for the WGA Strike Fund and starred Fran Dresher. You can view more details at www.SandlerInk.com.

Testimonials

Ellen is forthright and generous, giving you an insider's glimpse into sitcom writing. She gives you the right tools to troubleshoot your way out of story problems, constantly reiterating points about structure and offering questions to ask to get yourself back on track when you're stuck. --Lisa Stockus

"This course is by far the finest television writing class in which I have ever enrolled. Ellen Sandler understands how to transform the novice writer into a writer in demand. Kudos to Ellen and mediaBistro.com" --Rhonda Tenenbaum

"Ellen Sandler did an amazing job with the Sitcom Writer's Room course. Her professionalism, experience, and love of sitcom writing brought excitement to the class. She gave us no-nonsense advice, and set up the class the same way real writers' rooms are set-up, so we could experience the environment first-hand." -- Donald Capone

"Take this workshop with Ellen Sandler! She is knowledgeable, approachable, inspirational, candid, and great all around! Ellen offered invaluable information on everything from the elements of a great script to how to break into the world of sitcom writing. The experience of actually being in a writer's room was extremely insightful, fun and something that you won't get elsewhere. I'm so glad I took this class!" -- Lori Kitun