Loading...

Course Description

Television executives and showrunners want to read original pilots that demonstrate your unique voice and comedic sensibilities. This workshop shows you how to take your original comedy idea and develop a strong story, rife with memorable characters and even funnier jokes. Breaking story in the style of a real writer's room, you develop a compelling story, brainstorm and support another's vision. By the end of course, you have strong act breaks, a full beat outline and a critique of the beginning pages of your original half-hour pilot script. 

Course Outline

Learn how to write a TV script in this course that takes you from half-hour pilot idea to beat sheet and the teaser pages of your script.

Course Outline

What you can learn:

  • Turn an original comedy idea into a new series
  • Break stories with other writers like professionals do
  • Develop a compelling story with memorable characters
  • Write a full episode outline and 10 pages of your pilot

Prerequisites

SCRIPT X 421.1 Half-Hour TV I and SCRIPT X 421.2 Half-Hour TV II; or SCRIPT X 421.1N Half-Hour TV Intensive I and SCRIPT X 421.2N Half-Hour TV Intensive II; or department approval. SCRIPT X 421.1 Half-Hour TV I and SCRIPT X 421.2 Half-Hour TV II; or SCRIPT X 421.1N Half-Hour TV Intensive I and SCRIPT X 421.2N Half-Hour TV Intensive II; or department approval.

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

Loading...
Review Sections
Section Title
Half-Hour TV III
Type
Online
Days
W
Time
7:00PM to 10:00PM
Dates
Jul 10, 2024 to Jul 17, 2024
Type
Discussion
Days
W
Time
7:00PM to 10:00PM
Dates
Jul 24, 2024 to Aug 28, 2024
Type
Online
Days
W
Time
7:00PM to 10:00PM
Dates
Sep 04, 2024 to Sep 11, 2024
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
30.0
Location
  • UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
  • Remote Classroom
Delivery Options
In-Person  
Course Fee(s)
standard credit (3 units) $720.00 Click here to get more information
Available for Credit
3 units
Refund Request Deadline
Jul 24, 2024
Transfer Request Deadline
Jul 24, 2024
Withdrawal Request Deadline
Jul 25, 2024 to Sep 11, 2024
Instructors
Section Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course meets in person at the designated class meeting time and location, including a combination of required in-person and limited Zoom meetings – please check the meeting schedule below for exact dates and location. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Section Materials
  • (Mandatory) Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
  • (Optional) TV WRITERS WORKBOOK by SANDLER, ELLEN © 2007 RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP ISBN 9780385340502
  • (Optional) ART OF DRAMATIC WRITING by EGRI, LAJOS © 1972 TOUCHSTONE ISBN 9780671213329
  • (Optional) SCREENPLAY REV & UPD by FIELD, SYD © 2005 RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP ISBN 9780385339032
  • (Optional) INSIDE THE ROOM : WRITING TELEVISION WITH THE PROS AT UCLA EXTENSION WRITERS' PROGRAM by VENIS, LINDA © 2013 PENGUIN PUBLISHING GROUP ISBN 9781592408115
Section Title
Half-Hour TV III
Type
Online
Dates
Jul 10, 2024 to Sep 17, 2024
Contact Hours
30.0
Delivery Options
Online  
Course Fee(s)
standard credit (3 units) $720.00 Click here to get more information
Available for Credit
3 units
Refund Request Deadline
Jul 24, 2024
Transfer Request Deadline
Jul 24, 2024
Withdrawal Request Deadline
Jul 25, 2024 to Sep 17, 2024
Instructors
Section Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This online course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required live class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.

 

Section Materials
  • (Mandatory) Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Required fields are indicated by .