Staff writers from Saturday Night Live and MadTV outline the process of developing an idea into a sketch that makes the final cut. We teach you how to transition your existing stand-up and sketch material to long-form narratives. From conception to rewrites, and from collaboration to finished copy, we share with you the many processes used by professional writers. Our team of writing experts will educate you as to the differences between writing for stage vs. screen, stand-up vs. improv and sketch vs. scene. Academy360´s writing curriculum walks you through each step and will help you create the materials to either begin or continue your career as a writer.
WRITING, Lectures & Theory - Learn effective ways to overcome writer´s block, learn brainstorming techniques, collaboration skills and how to turn everyday observations and experiences into sources of inspiration. These topics are merely a sample of what we´ll cover. Our team of writers from stage and screen will inform you on the most up-to-date software, guidebooks and resources available to the working writer.
WRITING, Hands-On - You will apply the mechanics and formats of various styles, trying your hand at all of them. Together we will examine and critique scenes, sketches and screenplays, as well as other students´ work. You´ll get to take part in a writer´s roundtable, brainstorm and bounce ideas off fellow classmates and staff. You will then develop, write, rewrite and pitch finished scripts to actors, directors and producers of the final class performance.
WRITING, Class Performance - Once you´ve polished your ideas and prepared them in the proper format, you will present your material to other Academy360 students for further collaboration and production. Your material will be brought to life on stage and captured professionally, then reproduced on DVD to be used as your own marketing tool.
Writing curriculum focus: SKETCHES, STAND-UP & SCREENPLAY
Take the funny idea you had during breakfast, get it on paper, flesh it out and rework it into a hilarious sketch worthy of a performance on a Second City stage. We´ll show you how to refine your material, pitch and find the right people to perform your script. Whether you´re writing for your friend´s comedy troupe, eager to submit a writing sample, or just building your portfolio for the next career move, our writing staff will show you how to present your material in the most succinct and professional manner.
Avoid hearing the dreaded silence after a performance of your joke. Our staff of world-renowned stand-ups will help you find your voice and make it a hilarious one. You´ll learn how to create material and apply time-tested formulas used by many comics in the performance process. By program´s end, you´ll be well versed in the process of creating materials to be used by yourself or others.
Our veteran writing staff will share with you the fundamentals, formats and mechanics needed to finish a script, whether in short form or feature length, comedy or drama.
