Non-Credit Television Writing Certificate Program

Students will write a “spec” episode of an existing series. In the lecture component of the class, emphasis will be placed on the long-term structure of one of the series the students are writing. The purpose of this class is to understand how a series functions and how writing the episodic form differs from other dramatic forms.

View course schedule in Albert.
View summer tuition and fees.
Apply as a visiting summer student.

Pre-requisite: Episodic Writing I: Specs

Students will write an original pilot. In the lecture component of the class, emphasis will be placed on both pilots and the series that emerge from those pilots. The purpose of this class is for students to take their first venture into writing generative work in the episodic form.

View course schedule in Albert.
View summer tuition and fees.
Apply as a visiting summer student.

Joke writers aren't allowed to wait until they feel funny. This intensive introduction to the craft of writing topical jokes exposes students to the rigors of producing news-driven jokes and short comedy pieces on demand. Students will be required to keep abreast of the news and come to class prepared to write jokes and desk-pieces on subjects selected by the instructor. They will create material appropriate for different programs and hosts, including Colbert, Bee, Noah. Occasional guests from late-night comedy shows may critique student work. The goal is to get fast and steady at joke-writing, while compiling a late-night writing packet to be used to seek work in the field.

View course schedule in Albert.
View summer tuition and fees.
Apply as a visiting summer student.

A playwriting workshop required of all students. Students are required to complete 50-70 pages of a full-length stage play with an outline of the complete play. The first third of the course focuses on exercises to help students develop a story idea with the complexity and depth to sustain a full-length play. The reading and analysis of four to six dramatic texts is required in conjunction with the student’s original work. Students must come to the first class with two ideas for a full-length play. Each idea should be described in a one page summary.

View course schedule in Albert.
View summer tuition and fees.
Apply as a visiting summer student.

This is an introductory course that will focus on the fundamental components of screenplay writing. Produced screenplays will be analyzed for structure and student work will be presented in a workshop process.Students are required to write a short silent film, a ten minute short film and a 20-30 minute short film, as well as a synopsis and outline for a feature length film. The reading and analysis of six to eight screenplays is required in conjunction with the student’s original work. Lectures integrate writing work with presentations emphasizing understanding of basic screenplay format, structure, theme, story, plot, character development and film language. 

View course schedule in Albert.
View summer tuition and fees.
Apply as a visiting summer student.

This is a sketch writing workshop class. A survey of sketch genres and approaches will be integrated with writing assignments and rewriting of one's own sketches: both privately and collaboratively. The goal is for each student to emerge from the class with several polished sketches. For this class, it helps to have a good sense of humor that you want to get even better at putting down on the page.  There will be a lot of group critiquing and occasionally group rewriting.  So it helps to stop thinking that your first draft is perfect.  Because it isn't.  This can be a pretty wild class, so it also helps to never think that comedy can go "too far."  The course may have a guest lecturer.

View course schedule in Albert.
View summer tuition and fees.
Apply as a visiting summer student.

Learn how to conceptualize, pitch and write an original television pilot. In this class we will examine both 1/2 hour comedy and 1 hour pilots of both successful and unsuccessful tv shows. There will be discussion of Show Bibles, Pitch Decks, Writing the Teaser and an emphasis on working toward completion of a first draft of a pilot episode.

View course schedule in Albert.
View summer tuition and fees.
Apply as a visiting summer student.