The International Applications is now closed.
The 2025 USC SCA Summer Program runs from Friday, June 20, to Friday, August 1.
The deadline for Applications from U.S. Citizens is Wednesday, April 30, at 5:00 PM PT. For any questions, please email us at summer@cinema.usc.edu.

Important Notice:

• Students may only take a maximum of 8 units.
• Students cannot take more than one production course.
• Students cannot take a production course with any of the feature writing courses.
• Students cannot take more than one feature writing course.
• No auditing courses.
• The SCA Summer Program courses are intended for students not currently enrolled at USC/SCA
• USC/SCA students will not be granted D-Clearance for SCA Summer Program courses.

Writing the Comedy TV Series - 4 Units

Units: 4
Student Level: All

Jun 23 - Aug 1 Apply
In-Person - Ages 16+
Schedule: Mon/Wed 9:00am - 12:50pm
Max. Seats: 14
Faculty: Beverly Neufeld

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Are you ready to create the next big TV comedy hit? Welcome to Writing the Comedy TV Series, a thrilling and hands-on course designed to launch your career in television comedy writing! This immersive workshop will take you deep into the world of iconic comedy shows, analyzing what makes them unforgettable, and teaching you how to craft your own. In an authentic "Writer's Room" atmosphere, you’ll collaborate with fellow creatives, brainstorm wild ideas, pitch your concepts, and write scenes that pop with humor and heart. It’s your chance to experience the pulse of professional TV writing—where your unique voice is shaped into comedy gold.

Course Description

- Learn from the Best: Industry experts and veteran comedy writers will lead engaging lectures and interactive workshops, sharing their real-world experiences and offering invaluable insights into the world of TV comedy.
- Create Your Own Comedy Pilot: Over six action-packed weeks, you’ll develop your own comedy series pilot from the ground up. By mastering the art of comedy writing, you’ll refine your storytelling, sharpen your wit, and craft a standout script that’s ready to make an impact.
- Collaborative Writer’s Room Environment: Step into a vibrant, high-energy Writer’s Room where collaboration is key. Work with peers to bounce ideas around, punch up jokes, and refine your plotlines. This dynamic setting will help you hone your craft in the same way top TV comedy writers do every day.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you’ll have developed, pitched, and written your own original series concept—complete with personalized feedback at every stage. You’ll learn how to:

- Build the Unique World of Your Show: Create an engaging, richly layered world that is filled with potential for comedic exploration and storytelling.
- Create Unforgettable Characters: Develop characters that are relatable, dynamic, and irresistibly funny—people your audience will fall in love with.
- Develop a Powerful Story Engine: Design a narrative framework that keeps your series compelling, with endless possibilities for hilarious episodes and evolving story arcs.
- Master the Structure of a Comedy Series: Understand the essential ingredients of successful TV comedies, from pacing and punchlines to character dynamics and episode structure.
- Punch Up the Comedy: Learn techniques to elevate your script’s humor, making your scenes sharper, wittier, and laugh-out-loud funny.
- Craft a Professional Pitch Document: Develop a pitch bible for your show, detailing the series’ world, characters, sample episodes, and long-term story arcs. This will become your key tool to pitch your show to potential buyers and producers.

Additional Information

- All projects are created outside of scheduled class time.
- Additional tutorials may be taught outside scheduled class dates and times.
- All dates and times of the course are subject to change.
- SCA has a strict ban on the use of prop weapons during the SCA Summer Program.

Ready to dive headfirst into the exhilarating world of TV comedy writing? This course is your launchpad to mastering the craft and creating a future in television production. Get ready to unleash your imagination, bring your comedic visions to life, and take your first step towards writing the next iconic TV show!

Instructor: Beverly Neufeld