Mastering Sketch Comedy Writing

The basics of comedy sketch writing in simple lessons that anyone can grasp. The emphasis is on practical tips for writing, rather than theory and academic blah blah blah. Designed for beginers as well as experienced sketch comedy writers.

The class progresses in these 4 steps:

1. Sketch Basics:

• Breaks a 4 minute sketch into three distinct acts.

• Defines Premise vs. Character sketches and how to get ideas for each.

• Relays the 4 things present in great sketches.

• Details proper sketch formatting and Screenwriting software options.

2. Easy Sketch Writing:

• Provides an easy to follow, step by step approach to writing both Premise and Character based sketches that keeps you from getting in your own way by bypassing the harshly critical left brain during the creative process.

• How NOT to write a sketch!

3. Endings:

• Defines what a good sketch ending must ideally do.

• Provides three different ways to end a sketch by using formulas discovered in sketches with great endings.

4. Effective rewriting:

• How NOT to approach rewriting your sketch.

• A specific method for rewriting that frees you to see ways to improve upon your first draft by changing your perspective from one of the writer, to that of someone in the audience.

• What to look for when rewriting that most first drafts need to lose.

• How to make your sketch funnier by raising the stakes.

• Use Word Choice and Rhythm in dialogue to cue laughter.

5. Let's Write a Sketch!

• Watch me start with an idea and use my step by step method to take it to editing the first draft.

6. Watch my very first attempt at sketch writing while I was a student at the Groundlings School.