Improvisation and the Sitcom for Writers and Actors Course

Program Overview

This program teaches the fundamentals of comedy scriptwriting through improvisation exercises. Students learn to develop characters, stories, and pitches in a collaborative environment. The emphasis is on unlocking new ideas and exploring the comedic potential of scenes and scripts. The goal is to create an original pilot or episodic story concept.

Program Outline

Outline:

This course covers the following topics:

• How improvisation can enhance script writing, character, and story development
• How to engage in improvisational exercises to unlock new ideas and new modes of thinking through your story
• How to learn to pitch ideas and get feedback in a collaborative atmosphere
• How to get insight into half-hour script structure and development
The class is structured like a writer's room, where you learn to pitch ideas and get feedback in a collaborative atmosphere. You learn half-hour script structure and story development, and how to build an outline, which is the foundation for a successful comedy script. The goal is to create an original pilot or episodic story concept that has grown out of improvisational class work.

Teaching:

The emphasis is not on acting. Instead, you create a springboard for your ideas, and ultimately, explore the comedy potential within your scene or script.