Elstree Film School - Kick Start Your Comedy Scriptwriting - Scheduled Courses

What have Woody Allen, Richard Curtis and Neil Simon got in common? The answer is that all of these award-winning screenwriters began their careers by creating short-form comedy sketch material for television.

The sketch show format itself remains as popular as ever - on TV, radio and the live comedy circuit - and offers new and emerging writers the opportunity to develop their creative writing skills.

This lively, intensive, one-day course identifies proven methods of writing funny sketch material quickly and effectively - a key skill in an industry that thrives on a fast turnaround of fresh and entertaining new ideas.

The course provides everything the comedy writer needs to embark on highly-productive sketch writing activity, including an analysis of the contemporary comedy market, and the tools required to promote their sketch writing successfully.

Duration: 1 day.

Location: 21st Century New Media (Production Offices), Elstree Film Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 1JG. [MAP]

Prerequisites: A keen interest in comedy and scriptwriting; this course is designed for those with a desire to succeed, regardless of experience.

Why Take This Course? The comedy sketch format has launched the careers of many successful artiste's who now write for stage, film or have become successful stand up's and comedy icons in their own right. A GSoH isn't all thats required; our award-winning trainers will teach you all the essentials of the hook, suspense and timing of your perfect punchlines, advice on how to draw from everyday occurances, how to layout your script. transfer to a stage and then promote yourself and your work ahead of the competition.

About the Tutor: Andrew Barclay wrote and produced Channel 4's PETS, the UK's first puppet sit-com. This 26-part series was sold world-wide, and a spin-off series 'Petshow' was screened on MTV Italy. Andrew has written for various comedy and light entertainment shows, creating original routines for hypnotist Paul McKenna as well as providing material for comedians as diverse as Lenny Henry, Greg Proops, Simon Pegg and Sally Phillips. Other work includes writing and directing a long-running series of live comedy shows - Comedy Factory, Club De Cabaret, Sketch Club - on the London comedy circuit, as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In conjunction with these shows, Andrew also leads various comedy writing workshops, and is the author of The Comedy Sketch Writer's Handbook and The Fringe Producer's Handbook.

COURSE CONTENT

The Background

The contemporary comedy market - what sells, and why?
Where do comedy writers get their ideas?
What should I be writing?

Getting To Work

Ways to generate scenes and characters
Sketch-writing exercises
The comedy writing formulae - how to start writing immediately

Selling Yourself

From page to stage - what to do with a sketch when you've written it
How to promote yourself and your work
How to showcase your writing

And Finally...

What else can I do to get myself noticed?
Tips and tricks to help you keep on writing

5-20% discount if you book for more than one delegate!
Further discounts are available when booking multiple courses,
Please call our training secretary on 0844 844 2428.

Kick Start Your Comedy Scriptwriting Training Courses
We are currently scheduling dates for this course. If you would like to be notified when this course is next due to be run, please enter your details below. All of our courses cost £250 + VAT per day which includes lunch, coffee/tea and training materials.
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