ISHU 27313, Television Writing: The Situation comedy

Television Writing: The Situation Comedy. In this intensive workshop-oriented
seminar, students will learn the basics of the TV sitcom writing process by
participation, culminating in the creation of their own 1st draft, half-hour
spec script. Students will also examine many of the basic principles of comedy
writing, focusing on comic characters, comedic premises, and story structure.
Class meetings will involve lectures/discussions about various concepts
pertinent to the sitcom form, exercises designed to reinforce comedic analysis
techniques presented, as well as in-class viewing and deconstruction of
exemplary sitcom scenes and episodes. Students will be responsible for
completing a variety of sequential assignments that will, in effect, chart
their progress as they build their first-draft script. Students will be
required weekly to watch sitcoms out-of-class. Classroom participation is
mandatory. Strict attendance policy. Writing sample & application required
for admission.