Course Title: Write television comedy
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: COMM5932
Course Title: Write television comedy
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6088 - Advanced Diploma of Screenwriting
Course Contact : Professional Screenwriting Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368
Course Contact Email:brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Tim Ferguson (Semester 1)
Email: tim.ferguson@rmit.edu.au
Teacher: Vin Hedger (Semester 2)
Email: vincent.hedger@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 140
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
Enrolment in this course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.
Course Description
This course aims to develop the skills needed to create narrative and sketch comedy for television.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VPAU663 Write television comedy |
Element: |
1. Develop concept for a narrative based comedy series |
Performance Criteria: |
Devise a group of dynamic, active characters with potential for ongoing conflict |
Element: |
2. Write a bible for a comedy series |
Performance Criteria: |
Develop a synopsis for the bible which introduces concept, premise, genre, format and major storylines in an engaging style |
Element: |
3. Write a pilot for a narrative based comedy series |
Performance Criteria: |
Structure a dynamic story for the pilot |
Element: |
4. Develop a sketch comedy concept |
Performance Criteria: |
Accurately identify market(s) and major decision makers for a sketch comedy concept |
Element: |
5. Write an episode of a sketch comedy |
Performance Criteria: |
Work within show’s requirements |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to write television comedy in a variety of formats.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
lectures
industry speakers
teacher directed group activities/projects
peer teaching and class presentations
group discussion
class exercises to review discussions/lectures
workshopping of students’ own projects
analysis/critique of writings
2. Out-of-class activities:
independent project based work
writing and reading assignments
online and other research
independent study
Teaching Schedule
Teaching schedule Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources. |
Week starting | Class content | Assessment due | Elements |
Semester 1 | |||
Week 1 (7 Feb) |
Course overview Definition of comedy Nature & function of humour Self-referential humour Comedy & drama – the two masks Comic principles (Jokes) |
1 | |
Week 2 (14 Feb) |
Introduction to sketch comedy | 1 | |
Week 3 (21 Feb) |
Principles of comic character Obeying gag principles Incongruous juxtapositions Comic perspective Limited world-views Lightbulb jokes Obvious humour |
1 | |
Week 4 (28 Feb) |
Principles of comic character combination Character profile graphs Comic archetypes (greek, roman) The ‘most’ principle Aristotle & comedy Shakespeare & comedy |
1 | |
Week 5 (7 March) |
Characters at work Narrative negations Observation humour Absurdist humour Literal humour Overlapping underlying incongruities Wordplay (neologisms, double-meanings, euphemisms) |
1,2 | |
Week 6 (14 March) |
Narrative humour & gags Comic distortions Comic re-interpretation ‘who’s on first?’ Standup comedy principles |
Sitcom Character Creation assessment due |
1,2 |
Week 7 (21 March) |
Comic cover-ups Comic inverted proportion principle Active comic character principles |
1,2,3 | |
Week 8 (28 March) |
Comic story structure Tv sitcom structure (21 & 30 min. Formats) Knowledge differentials Panic & overreaction |
1,2,3 | |
Week 9 (4 April) |
Imperatives of gags Observation conversation 3-act structure Sex in sitcom Repitition Comic context Comic subtext |
1,2,3Í | |
Week 10 (11 April) |
Situation creation The hope-against-hope comic principle Building audience assumption & expectation Building/paying-off surprise Men & women in comedic storytelling |
1,2,3 | |
Week 11 (18 April) |
Comic metaphor Theme development Concept development The journey from eureka! To a pitchable product Comic crime & punishment principles |
1,2,3 | |
Mid-semester break (21/4 – 27/4) | |||
Week 12 (2 May) |
Creating a series bible Poignancy in comedy Tragedy in comedy Romantic comedy Dramatic/comic irony & sarcasm |
Narrative Gags in Action assessment due |
|
Week 13 (9 May) |
The 3 comedy macro-genres The 3 story macro-genres The 4 imperatives of commercial storytelling Comedy & film genres Uber-genre |
1,2,3 | |
Week 14 (16 May) |
Identifying your audience Making your audience bigger than you Why fitzroy is not an audience Believability & coincidence in comedy & tragedy |
1,2,3 | |
Week 15 (23 May) |
Misunderstandings & malapropisms Flawed logic Identifying your own sense/s of humour Mathematical comedy equations |
1,2,3 | |
Week 16 (30 May) |
The unassailable laws of comedy Funny to you -v- funny to them Funny business – why comedy pays better Applying comic priciples to improve your drama Surviving editing |
Tell your story assessment due | 3,4,5 |
Week 17 (6 June) |
I Assessment Week - No class |
||
Semester Break June 14 - July 1 | |||
Semester 2 | |||
Week 1 (4 July) |
Introduction to Non-narrative comedy writing. Outlining the objectives of the semester, including the objective of creating a ‘writers’ room’ atmosphere in class to introduce students to real working conditions in Australian Television. Assessing the levels of ability of all class members through discussion. | 4,5 | |
Week 2 (11 July) |
The basics. Using a didactic study of the history of non-narrative TV comedy we introduce the students to the world of comedy that existed from the beginning until the present day. The ‘writers’ room’ will then take a simple story from the media and turn it into a one line joke. | 4,5 | |
Week 3 (18 July) |
Slight expansion. Historical analysis progressing through the years. Then an introduction to the ‘Blackout’. ‘Writers’ Room’ will proceed to tackle creating a blackout from scratch. | 4,5 | |
Week 4 (25 July) |
Characters part 1. Historical analysis progressing through the years. ‘Writers room’ will be asked to create characters for non-narrative comedy. This is the life blood of all comedy shows and the one with the most room for prospective compensation. | 4,5 | |
Week 5 (1 Aug) |
Technical Analysis. Continuing the historical analysis of Non-Narrative TV comedy. Then its lecture time with a run down on many technical aspects of working in the Australian TV industry. How to format, look for work, manage yourself, how to not get fired, how to get fired and maintain dignity etc… etc… | 4,5 | |
Week 6 (8 Aug) |
The TV show. We continue the historical analysis of Non-Narrative TV comedy. Then its back to the ‘Writers’ room’ to break down the successful and not so successful elements of Non-narrative TV comedy. We Begin the process that leads to our final project for the semester. | 4,5 | |
Week 7 (15 Aug) |
The Non-sketch based elements of TV comedy. We continue the historical analysis of Non-Narrative TV comedy. Then the ‘Writers Room’ looks at the 90% of Television that requires comedy writing and we attempt to practically re-create the first day of work on a show that needs to be on air in a week. | Individual portfolio assessment due | 4,5 |
Week 8 (22 Aug) |
The Tricks of creating Sketch. We continue the historical analysis of Non-Narrative TV comedy. We look at some techniques for creating fresh sketches on a daily basis. We also look at how to use knowledge of other non-Television equipment and applications to create Television. | 4,5 | |
Week 9 (29 Aug) |
The structure. We continue the historical analysis of Non-Narrative TV comedy. The ‘Writers’ Room’ will then look at overall structures, and potential res-structuring, of a non-narrative Comedy program with a view to creating something desirable for the marketplace of 2012. | 4,5 | |
Week 10 (5 Sep) |
The Industry. We continue the historical analysis of Non-Narrative TV comedy. Then we look closely at the Television and allied industries as they stand in 2011. We talk about hierarchical structures. Who’s who , what’s currently being bought, what’s on the nose … and, most importantly, what the future will be. | 4,5 | |
Week 11 (12 Sep) |
The Big Idea. We conclude our historical analysis of Non-narrative TV Comedy. The class then begins life as small production company and it development department. We brainstorm ideas we feel will create a TV program that will be an on-air success in 2012. We come up with as many ideas as we can with the view to begin working on one or more of them from Week 13. |
4,5 | |
Week 12 (19 Sep) |
The Development begins. The class as a whole decides on which idea or ideas they feel they can pursue and create a proposal for. This proposal is meant as a genuine document to be presented to production companies and Networks for serious consideration and purchase. Development groups separate from each other and structure themselves as Head writers, script editors, producers and writers in order to complete the task. | Partnership portfolio assessment due<!--EndFragment--> | 4,5 |
Mid Semester Break September 26 - October 7 | |||
Week 13 (10 Oct) |
Each Development group continues to turn their ideas into a proposal as a real production company would. This includes deciding on which demographic to target, which target production company and networks to present to and all the preliminary details needed to begin. | 4,5 | |
Week14 (17 Oct) |
Development Continues on proposals with a first draft of the document expected during this week. |
4,5 | |
Week15 (24 Oct) |
The Development is refined and presented. The groups are then expected to put finishing touches on proposal. | 4,5 | |
Week16 (31 Oct) |
The Development groups present their final product and decide how to progress to actual presentation. | Group proposal assessment due | 4,5 |
Week17 (7 Nov) |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Extracts, readings and additional references are provided throughout the course. In addition to hard copy handouts, some readings are made available on the class website, Blackboard, and others can be accessed via the web. Recommended books will be discussed in class. |
References
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
You require access to a computer and to the internet for this course
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
Semester 1
1. Sitcom Character Creation (30%) Due
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
After devising a team of 3-4 major characters, write concise character notes for each of your characters.
CHARACTER PROFILE GRAPHS:
For each character, complete a Character Profile Graph (a graph detailing fears, desires etc., discussed during the course).
Assessment 2. Narrative Gags in Action (30%) Due
WRITE A SCENE WITH JOKES
Put your characters into action in a 2-minute Sitcom scene or sequence. (No more than 3 pages in approved industry format.)
Apply narrative and self-contained gag principles to the scene or sequence.
IDENTIFY YOUR JOKES
Include a brief Joke Description detailing which gag-types you have used and where you have applied them.
Assessment 3. Create a Sitcom Story (30%) Due June 1
TELL YOUR STORY - Create a synopsis for a half-hour episode of your TV comedy.
Assessment 4. Class exercises and workshopping (10%)
Semester 2
Assessment 1. Individual portfolio of 2 sketches. (15%)
Individual portfolio of 2 sketches. (Makeup of portfolio to be described in class)
Assessment 2. Partnership portfolio with a minimum of 3 sketches. (25%)
Partnership portfolio with a minimum of 3 sketches. (Makeup of portfolio to be described in class)
Assessment 3. Group proposal. (30%)
Group proposal. (The assignment will be judged as a whole based on viability and creativity with mark variances for each class member’s input and role in creating the proposal)<o:p></o:p> <!--EndFragment-->
Assessment 4. Class workshopping and Writers’ Room input. (30%)
Grades used in this course are as follows:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
For further details on these assessment tasks and the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration
Other Information
Feedback:
You will receive spoken and/or written feedback from your teacher on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Late Submissions
Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information on late submissions and plagiarism
Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;
Course Overview: Access Course Overview