Comedy Writing Online with Amanda Caswell
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Whether you’ve ever wanted to write for late night, or just want to add a little more wit to your daily life, this class will teach you the various types of prose humor, sketch comedy, as well as comedic techniques and how to market your work.
Over the course, you will discover the fundamental principles of sketch writing and the joy of creating truly funny material. We’re talking about memoirs, essays, short stories, articles, and even novels as you develop a comic premise and write a variety of pieces for your writing portfolio. By the end of the course you’ll have at least 5 solid new pieces. From nonfiction to fiction, blogs to the boardroom, you’ll discover just what it takes to turn your writing around and achieve the audience reaction you’ve always wanted. Amanda Caswell, a former Nickelodeon script writer and Comedy Central copywriter has spent evenings backstage in the writing rooms of SNL, Seth Myers, and Jimmy Fallon. She currently uses her comedy chops for advertising strategies and social media campaigns. Be sure to checkout the class syllabus and assignment list too. Our Comedy Writing to Go sample class is on the right. ------------------------------------------------------->>>>>>>>>>> When: Lecture released midnight on Sundays. Lecture posted to a private membership page limited to current class members. Note 1: Class is self paced. Live Class Q and A session (online): TIME: 11:30am PST LIVE Q and A Dates 1/20, 2/3, 2/24 and 3/2 (recording available if you can't attend the live Q and A) CLASS LECTURES -released at midnight PST on 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16 and 2/23 (recording available if you can't attend the live Q and A) Additional Class Feedback and Support: Facebook Group, Question Sheet, Email CLASS FEE: $390 |
Sample Mini Class: Comedy To Go
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Class Refund Policy:
This class is self paced. You have up to one year from registering to submit class assignments.
All class registrations are final. Refunds are given up to midnight on January 16th. No refunds
after midnight on January 16th..
Class Syllabus
Week 1
Comedy overview
Comedy can be taught
Concepts you can teach yourself immediately Understanding what makes good comedy
Week 2
Sketch writing
Sketch endings
Sketch Writing Exercises
How jokes work: The psychology of humor
Week 3
Stand-Up writing
Basic principles, timing, general performance
Week 4
Sitcom writing
The basics and how to sell a script
How to watch sitcoms
Errors to avoid when writing a spec script
Develop a situation Comedy Story and outline a script Write a situation
comedy script
Week 5
Writing for others
From late night to blogging, how to sell your best stuff
Week 6
Comedy writing long form, speeches,
Week 7
Putting it all together
Finding your niche and branching out beyond it.
Comedy Writing Assignments
These assignments are to help you grow your comedy writing skills. Even ifit seems hard or you are reluctant, give it a try anyway! Share your struggles or excitement with me along the way so I know how you are doing – and can help you become better! Don’t NOT do the assignment because you think you can’t (you can, I promise), and if you don’t think you’re ready for any particular one, let me know that too and I’ll modify it. Staying up with the assignments helps me know you’re “getting it.” Additionally, connecting on the weekly Q&A will help you do the assignments.
Assignments
Assignment 1:
Create three columns of the following:
1st column write a list of adjectives : loud, silly, quiet, annoyed...
2nd column write a list of professions: librarian, professor, lawyer, dog
walker, truck driver... 3rd column write a list of locations: coffee
shop, church, hospital, preschool
example: Loud Truck Driver in a Preschool
Pick one from each column and come up with a few sketches. Share one with me.
Write a 3-5 minute sketch
___________
Assignment 2:
Write a skit parody of a popular show, person, trend, etc. From Game of
Thrones to CrossFit our society has tons of fans of any given thing, so go
over the top with this one!
____________
Assignment 3:
Think of your favorite character in your favorite movie and write an ad
for a product they would sell or even something they wouldn’t sell. Forest
Gump selling Bubba Gump Shrimp, Brad Pitt advertising Chuck E. Cheese
____________
Assignment 4:
Think of hot topics right now - politically, socially, etc.
Write 3-5 jokes for a late night monologue.
___________
Assignment 5:
Consider what we’ve learned about the basis of storytelling. Write a 2
minute standup routine.
___________
Assignment 6:
Brainstorm ideas for 5 minutes. Create a 5 minute sketch from your
favorite idea.
Week 1
Comedy overview
Comedy can be taught
Concepts you can teach yourself immediately Understanding what makes good comedy
Week 2
Sketch writing
Sketch endings
Sketch Writing Exercises
How jokes work: The psychology of humor
Week 3
Stand-Up writing
Basic principles, timing, general performance
Week 4
Sitcom writing
The basics and how to sell a script
How to watch sitcoms
Errors to avoid when writing a spec script
Develop a situation Comedy Story and outline a script Write a situation
comedy script
Week 5
Writing for others
From late night to blogging, how to sell your best stuff
Week 6
Comedy writing long form, speeches,
Week 7
Putting it all together
Finding your niche and branching out beyond it.
Comedy Writing Assignments
These assignments are to help you grow your comedy writing skills. Even ifit seems hard or you are reluctant, give it a try anyway! Share your struggles or excitement with me along the way so I know how you are doing – and can help you become better! Don’t NOT do the assignment because you think you can’t (you can, I promise), and if you don’t think you’re ready for any particular one, let me know that too and I’ll modify it. Staying up with the assignments helps me know you’re “getting it.” Additionally, connecting on the weekly Q&A will help you do the assignments.
Assignments
Assignment 1:
Create three columns of the following:
1st column write a list of adjectives : loud, silly, quiet, annoyed...
2nd column write a list of professions: librarian, professor, lawyer, dog
walker, truck driver... 3rd column write a list of locations: coffee
shop, church, hospital, preschool
example: Loud Truck Driver in a Preschool
Pick one from each column and come up with a few sketches. Share one with me.
Write a 3-5 minute sketch
___________
Assignment 2:
Write a skit parody of a popular show, person, trend, etc. From Game of
Thrones to CrossFit our society has tons of fans of any given thing, so go
over the top with this one!
____________
Assignment 3:
Think of your favorite character in your favorite movie and write an ad
for a product they would sell or even something they wouldn’t sell. Forest
Gump selling Bubba Gump Shrimp, Brad Pitt advertising Chuck E. Cheese
____________
Assignment 4:
Think of hot topics right now - politically, socially, etc.
Write 3-5 jokes for a late night monologue.
___________
Assignment 5:
Consider what we’ve learned about the basis of storytelling. Write a 2
minute standup routine.
___________
Assignment 6:
Brainstorm ideas for 5 minutes. Create a 5 minute sketch from your
favorite idea.