Course summary
Get the skills, tools and industry insights to push your projects to the top of the commissioning editor’s pile and get your script green-lit. Interrogate big ideas like sex, politics, religion and family through comedy. Or just write a show that's unashamedly stupid! There are lots of opportunities right now and a great need for new comedy writers. Get the skills, tools and industry-focus which will push your projects to the top of the commissioning editor's pile and see your script green-lit. Who knows; you could see yourself on the way to the BAFTAs, Oscars or Golden Globes with the next Fleabag, VEEP, Modern Family or Father Ted. Throughout this course, you'll get writing tips and career guidance masterclasses from the very best in the industry. Guests have included the likes of sketch comedy heroes French & Saunders, Emmy and BAFTA-winning comedy writer Simon Blackwell, Radio 4 comedy commissioner Sioned Wiliam and former head of BBC and Sky comedy commissioning, Lucy Lumsden. This online MA has been developed by award-winning comedy producer and executive producer Simon Nicholls. Simon has 20 years' comedy industry experience, developing and selling comedies in the UK and US. You will: Study the work of renowned writers and directors, reflect on professional trends and learn how to seize market opportunities Be taught by a host of comedy experts including multi-award-winning TV and Radio comedy producer and executive producer Simon Nicholls Learn how to write comedy sketches, sitcoms, comedy dramas and develop a body of work for multiple platforms including; radio, TV, film and online Develop a comedy writing portfolio consisting of scripts, treatments, synopses and your responses to professional comedy briefs which can be used as a calling card to gain agent representation and to present to commissioning editors Structure your working practice as a comedy writer; plotting your day, dealing with writers’ block, working to tight deadlines while remaining funny Understand the role of a commissioner, the criteria by which they assess new writing and what it takes to get your project green-lit
Entry requirements
An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply. For more information about entry requirements and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), speak to an advisor. You'll need to submit up to five pages of a script for either radio, TV or film. It's your choice, but it must be a comedy script, not any other genre, that best shows off your comedy writing. Please also submit a 300-word piece of writing considering an old sitcom, which is no longer running. The piece of writing should clearly tell us why you've picked this show for reinvention now. Please describe how you'll modernise and reinvent the show to be a relevant must-watch for today's audience. You should give consideration as to who will star in this production, and your vision for the show.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Falmouth University
Woodlane
Falmouth
TR11 4RH
Clearing contact details
Apply for September 2023 through ClearingMain Contact
01326 213730
Additional information
Explore our courses available through Clearing and contact our friendly Course Advisors via phone or our online form to be taken through your application options.