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Writing Comedy for TV

Create jokes, sketches, TV show ideas, and everlasting happiness

Writing Comedy for TV
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WHEN 8 weeks, June 12 - August 14
Online Chats: Thursdays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online. Click here for information.

LEVEL Intermediate

PRICE
$499 ($475 for )
more info

Course Details

Maybe you're a lawyer. Or an accountant. Or maybe you sell batteries on the 1 train. And you think to yourself: Hey. I'm funny. There's got to be a way I can make a living off this. Like writing comedy for television. But how the hell do you write comedy for TV and get paid for it? Well, this course is for you.

The building block of comedy is the joke, and in this class, you'll learn how to analyze news stories and current trends to create material, then hone these jokes so they're ready for the air. Building on this knowledge, you'll learn to nail the unique voice of any show out there, how to write sketches by generating comic characters and premises, and even how to write comedy when you're not feeling funny. We'll also analyze what networks are looking for, how to get in to see the executives, and how to pitch to them.

In this class, you will learn:

  • Tools to analyze what jokes and sketches work
  • The secrets of successful monologue joke writing
  • How to generate comic characters for sketch comedy
  • How to crank out material even when you're not feeling funny
  • How to land your first comedy-writing job
  • How to create ideas for your own TV show

By the end of class, students can expect to have:
A completed joke submission package, two complete sketches for a sketch package, and a completed pitch for a TV show.

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).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

  • Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
  • Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
  • Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
  • Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

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Instructor Bio

Alan Cross's Courses

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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