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TV Writing: Sketch Comedy

Complete a sketch package that will impress any agent or network

TV Writing: Sketch Comedy
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WHEN 8 weeks, Tuesdays, June 3 - July 22, 6:45-9:45 pm

WHERE New York (Soho)

LEVEL General

PRICE
$499 ($475 for )
more info

Course Details

How many times have you watched a comic sketch on TV and thought, "My God! That really sucked!" Yeah, we've all been there. But it's one thing to critique, and another thing to create. In this class, you'll learn specific tools to write solid sketches. From pitching the idea, to outlining, to writing and rewriting, and rewriting (and rewriting) -- you'll unleash the sketch writer inside of you.

The class will be run like a writer's room at Saturday Night Live. We'll analyze sketches from Saturday Night Live, Conan, Mad TV, Chappelle's Show, and others to figure out what works, what doesn't, and why. Your assignments will be workshopped by the instructor and the class to sharpen characters, tighten plot, and maximize funny.

The course will conclude with a live performance at a comedy club. Actors will come in for table reads and rehearsals so you can see your writing on its feet, and they'll perform your work.

In this class, you can expect to learn:

  • Why there are only two types of sketches
  • The secrets to creating strong comic characters
  • Where to mine sketch ideas
  • How to end a sketch effectively
  • How to get work as a sketch writer

By the end of the class, students can expect to have:
A completed sketch package ready for submission.

Admission Requirements
You must submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) as well as a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

Related Courses

Tell me when courses like this are scheduled.
• Writing Comedy for TV – New York (Class starts April 1)
View all courses in Screenwriting | Humor | TV | New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Alan Cross's Courses

Breaking Into TV Comedy Writing – New York (Seminar on May 14)
TV Writing: Sketch Comedy – New York (Class starts June 3)
Writing Comedy for TV – New York (Class starts July 7)
Writing Comedy for TV – (Class starts June 12)

Alan Cross
Alan Cross is a former head writer for VH1's Pop-Up Video, where he was nominated for three Emmy Awards. He was a freelance contributor for Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" for four years. Other credits include MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch and 3-South, VH1's Name That Video, the WB's Ultimate Muscle, and Comedy Central's The Man Show. Currently, Alan is writing and producing a syndicated radio program for Paul Shaffer from The Late Show with David Letterman; he was also a senior writer for Carson Daly. He co-wrote/produced "Video Shmideo", a winner at the 2007 New York TV Festival. In 2004 he published his first book (with writing partner Paul Fourie), What Would W Do? His political humor has also appeared in Slate.com, Cracked Magazine, and Nylon for Men. Alan has appeared in national voiceover campaigns for McDonalds, Mercedes, Priceline.com and others; as an actor you saw him during the 2006 Superbowl in an ad for Sprint, a spot that Adweek called "one of the ten funniest."


Testimonials


"Alan is more than a teacher; he motivates. Since I started using his methods, I've been creating quality material at a blistering pace. His techniques led me to create the funniest scripts I've written. Alan helped me discover new strengths and pointed me toward the source of my weaknesses. His critiques are direct, comprehensive, and honest. Ambitious writers will find a mentor figure in Alan. The skills I learned in this class will benefit me throughout my career." -- Jonathan Cohen, marketing associate, SiteAdvisor LLC

Alan Cross went above and beyond in this course, helping us whip our comedy into shape for a real, live show. As a result, our sketches got a lot of laughs when the actors performed them in front of an audience. There wasn't a dry seat in the house. -- Tom Carter

"Alan Cross is a witty and welcoming instructor who truly wants his students to get their fingers good and messy in the many different pies available to those looking to write comedy for TV." -- Paul Hagen, associate editor, Metrosource Magazine

"The seminar covered all bases, from joke structure and delivery to getting a job and expected salary. I found Alan refreshingly easy-going, encouraging, supportive, helpful, and honest. Some of the material that was provided was real news headlines that we were encouraged to develop into jokes. Imagine my surprise and pleasure at seeing some of those exact headlines used in last Saturday's Saturday Night Live Weekend Update! Receiving timely info like that and seeing it come to life rocked!" -- Jennifer Anderson, freelancer

"This was a great way to get started writing for television. Alan covered the basics of joke writing to give everyone confidence, and then explained how to use this ability to break into a business that seems very intimidating. This was all new to me, and I found the class very rewarding and inspiring." -- Eric Kabakoff, research manager, ABC

"Alan is a gifted comedy writer as well as an equally gifted instructor. His enthusiasm for his craft is contagious! As an experienced network television news writer with a passion for comedy (former stand-up comedian), I was hoping to learn the "formula" behind effective comedy writing. After taking this course, Alan's instruction and encouragement has provided the impetus for what I'm hoping will be an effective career transition." -- Matt Nelko, Broadcast Producer, CBS News
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