
Comedy Workshop
This workshop can also be delivered online. We're using the best presentation tools to deliver an interactive, engaging experience.
What's in it for You?
Do you feel like the usual paradigms are draining the life out of your screenplay? Yet you’re aware that a good comedy isn’t just a succession of jokes? This workshop might be for you!
Based on the innovative Story-Type Method®, this 2-day module explores essential tools for developing a successful comedy, either for Film or TV.
For example, we’ll take a look at the way we can use Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to increase the chances of reaching our target audience in a comedy. We’ll also explore comedy sub-genres, the anatomy of a gag and how humor comes from conflict and surprise. We’ll see how high concept comedies are almost always based on dramatic irony, and how fully understanding this powerful tool gives you the edge in comedy writing (and pitching!).
From designing a classical misunderstanding to shaping the structure of scenes, sequences and even the whole screenplay, this workshop should help raise your comedy writing skills to the next level.
Using clips, examples and detailed case studies from successful comedies such as The Hangover, The Young Offenders, Tootsie, Midnight Run, The Circus, Life is Beautiful, There’s Something About Mary, Juno, Silver Linings Playbook, Groundhog Day, Bridesmaids, Parenthood, Friends, The Intouchables, As Good As It Gets, The Court Jester, Love Actually, Goodby Lenin, Little Miss Sunshine, The Apartment, 500 Days of Summer, The Heat, Adaptation and many others, we’ll look at the storytelling tools and techniques needed to master this very popular genre.
Writing a Successful Comedy Workshop:
Fees on January 1st, 2021
Excl. 20% UK VAT where applicable
INDEPENDANT PRODUCTION COMPANY
£3,995
3-9 participants
- Includes preparation and delivery
- Travel & accommodation costs on top
- A/V equipment / Meeting room not included
Would you like to bring your script development skills to the next level and give your comedy project a total makeover?
This package will train creative producers, development execs, story editors and writer/directors working for the same independent production company, making sure that everyone in the team is on the same page and equipped with the best tools when discussing comedies. A separate slate assessment service can be arranged (fee to be defined depending on the number of projects in development).
One or more extra day(s) for project work can also be booked alongside the workshop to allow meetings on individual projects immediately after the last day. See the next column for more details.
This 2-day module is an extension of our 3-day advanced development workshop. Participants are expected to have attended the main workshop or read Screenwriting Unchained.
OPTIONAL ONE-ON-ONE DAY
(ON THE BASIS OF 4 MEETINGS / DAY)
£1,995
For project work meetings
- Includes preparation and delivery
- Up to four projects per day (90mn meetings)
- Actual fee varies, written notes optional
While the comedy workshop is very practical and allows the participants to focus on a specific project if they want to, there is no time during the workshop to discuss individual projects (except maybe briefly during the breaks!).
A number of extra days can therefore be booked along with the workshop to make time for specific projects to be read in advance and discussed with the creative team (producer, writer, director) immediately after the last day.
This fee includes preparation work for up to four projects. It varies depending on the exact number of projects and the actual amount of work requested (for example, written notes given after the meeting are an extra cost).
Beyond the strength and weaknesses of the screenplay, we'll try to look at the bigger picture and discuss which resources might be needed to move each project forward and which potential partner(s) might be involved.
REGIONAL/NATIONAL FUND OR STUDIO
£4,995
10-20 participants
- Includes preparation and delivery
- Travel and accommodation costs on top
- A/V equipment / Meeting room not included
This version of the workshop is aimed at regional / national funds or organisations who would like to train a larger number of participants (usually up to twenty). It's also the option a studio would go for to train a larger development team and/or to train all the writers working with them in development.
The content of the workshop can be fine-tuned to a specific audience (for example producers, story editors and development execs, or writers and directors).
While the tools are the same, the approach can be slightly different depending on the participants' role in development. This being said, the workshop works equally well with a mixed audience as long as participants have roughly the same level of experience.
This 2-day module is an extension of our 3-day advanced development workshop. Participants are expected to have attended the main workshop or read Screenwriting Unchained.
Who Should Attend a Story-Type Method Workshop?
These are Advanced Development Workshops, so they are not for beginners.
The minimum level of experience would be film students with a masters degree. Most of our participants are working professionals. The more experienced, the more you get out of the course.
How Is the Workshop Delivered?
Currently, all our workshops are delivered online, using our webinar platform for interactive lectures and Zoom for Q&As.
We are in the process of converting our workshops into online courses.
Are There Prerequisites or Language Requirements?
All our courses are delivered in English, so a good verbal understanding of the language is necessary. Otherwise, you're expected to know the basics of screenwriting.
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