TV PILOT - COMEDY

FILM AF 8131 Intro to Pilot: Comedy

With the comedy pilot as a focal point, (and by comedy, that could also include dramedies like Transparent and Insecure) this course explores the opportunities and challenges of telling and sustaining a serialized half-hour story over a protracted period of time with an emphasis on the creation, borne out of character, of the quintessential premise and the ongoing conflict, be it thematic or literal, behind a successful series.

Early in the semester, students may be required to present/pitch their series idea. During the subsequent weeks, students will learn the process of pitching, outlining, and writing a television pilot, that may include story breaking, beat-sheets or story outline, full outlines, and the execution of a thirty-minute teleplay. This seminar may include reading pages and giving notes based on the instructor but may also solely focus on the individual process of the writer.  

Students may only enroll in one TV Writing workshop per semester.