Write your own 3-page sitcom script or Saturday Night Live sketch

Overview and Brainstorming

Project Work: List of Ten

Get started on your project! Make and submit at least 2 lists of ten using any of the following list
Get started on your project! Make and submit at least 2 lists of ten using any of the following list categories:
- Colors
- Clown Names
- Animals
- Vegetables
- Date Locations

Project Work: Clustering

Now let's try our hands at clustering. Make and submit at least 1 cluster map using any of the follo
Now let's try our hands at clustering. Make and submit at least 1 cluster map using any of the following cluster words:
- Coffee
- Giraffe
- Breakfast
- Kite
- Pink
Share your lists of ten and cluster map for feedback
Make & submit at least 1 cluster map using any of the following cluster words: Coffee Giraffe Breakfast Kite Pink As you make your cluster, when you have an idea (have found the "jumping off point") start to write and develop a story. Submit the story you write with your cluster map.

Developing Character and Environment

Project Work: Character

{Project Steps TBD}
{Project Steps TBD}

Project Work: Developing Environment

Comedy Writing Techniques

Project Work: Comedy Technique Practice

Final Project!

Share your final script for feedback
Write your own 3-page sitcom script or Saturday Night Live sketch Use what you learned about different comedy writing techniques to put together a three page script. Refer to the monologue outline in the resources for the script format and example. Project can build from writing done for previous projects (e.g. continuing with fish out of water scenario) or can be an entirely new topic.

Additional Resources

In this unit we'll learn several techniques to brainstorm ideas for comedy writing.

Watch Video Lectures Here:

Overview

Brainstorming - List of Ten and Clustering

Brainstorming - One Word Story

And check out the resources for this unit here:
- Channel Your Inner Child. It's important to let go of your inner judge and let your creative self shine. For some inspiration read Learning From 9 Year Olds: Creativtiy & Patience.
- One Word Story. This exercise is used in improv & group comedy writing. See it demonstrated here.
Make & submit at least 2 lists of ten using any of the following list categories:
- Colors
- Clown Names
- Animals
- Vegetables
- Date Locations
From one of those lists of ten, choose 2-3 topics that are interesting to you and put a star next to each of them. Then, choose 1 topic, circle it, and develop that idea further into a story. The story can be as short as a paragraph.
In this unit we'll learn different ways to create characters & environments for comedy writing and in the next unit you'll complete various exercises to practice these concepts.

Watch Lecture Videos

Developing Character and Environment

And check out these resources, too:
- Character Example: Mr. Bean
- Environment Example: The Californians on SNL
Complete the exercises explained in the Character lecture and submit.
Watch the video about developing environment and complete the project discussed in the video. Submit through Skillshare!
Learn techniques the pros use to write sketch comedy. Students will be provided with examples used in TV & comedy & then will be asked to use each discussed technique in their own writing.

Watch Videos Comedy Writing Techniques Part 1 & Part 2

Technique #1: Fish Out of Water

Examples:
- Elf (movie) YouTube clips.
- Big Bang Theory
- Fresh Prince
Technique #2: Impossible Task

Examples:
- Coyote & Road Runner
- Mr. Bean getting downstairs
Technique #3: Inappropriate Response

Examples:
- Mr. Bean in Judo class
1. Write down 5 fish out of water scenarios.

2. List 10 obstacles keeping character, starting on a couch, from getting something from fridge
Write your own 3-page sitcom script or Saturday Night Live sketch

Use what you learned about different comedy writing techniques to put together a three page script. Refer to this script wireframe for the script format and example. Project can build from writing done for previous projects (e.g. continuing with fish out of water scenario) or can be an entirely new topic.

Diego Schutt

Founder & Editor at Ficção em Tópicos

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