Course Title: Create television comedy

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2024

Course Code: COMM7414C

Course Title: Create television comedy

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.

 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6180 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Alan Woodruff

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4307

Course Contact Email: alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Kath Dolheguy

katherine.dolheguy@rmit.edu.au

 

Nominal Hours: 90

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 elective course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.

Course Description

This course aims to help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to create sketch, sitcom and narrative comedy for television.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

NAT11115009 Create television comedy

Element:

1. Develop the concept for television comedy

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Establish purpose, format and audience for comedy concept 1.2 Determine comic premise and character/s based on comedy style 1.3 Determine genre and story arcs appropriate to the format 1.4 Apply principles of narrative humour and/or comic structure based on the comedy style and market

Element:

2. Develop the proposal for the comedy

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Create a synopsis that succinctly introduces concept, premise, genre, conventions and major storylines 2.2 Develop character/s and character arcs for the comedy 2.3 Write a treatment that summarises the story and character development

Element:

3. Develop comedy script

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Develop premise and characters that uses a strong comedic structure, collaborating with other screenwriters and/or performers as required 3.2 Contribute to developing a dynamic and engaging story for the comedy 3.3 Participate in building strong character motivation and based on the format, create conflict between characters in a comically and dramatically satisfying way 3.4 Apply own ideas, techniques and observations to the development of scenes to exploit the comic premise and advance the story 3.5 Ensure conventions of the comedy script are consistent within the intended style 3.6 Deliver bible and script to the requirements of the brief

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to develop and write sketch, sitcom and narrative comedy for television.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through: 
 
1. In-class activities:

  • lectures  
  • teacher directed group activities/projects  
  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures  
  • peer teaching and class presentations  
  • group discussion  
  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures  
  • analysis/critique of students’ writings 
 

 
2. Out-of-class activities: 

  • independent project based work  
  • writing and reading assignments  
  • online and other research 
  • independent study 
 


Teaching Schedule

WeekClass Content Assessment / Learning activities
 Week 1

INTRODUCTION TO SEMESTER:

  • What is comedy?
  • What kind of comedy do you want to write? 
  • Expectations this semester
  • Overview of the Assessments 

Gag Definitions – identifying and writing jokes. We go through the list of gag types. We look at a few examples. 

AT1: Write a comedy Script 

  • SKETCH style or MOCKUMENTARY style
  • We look over Template 1.
  • You will devise 3 short pitches as options for your AT1 script. 

 

 

HOMEWORK: 

You will write 3 of your own jokes & post them to this thread: 

Post your own jokes here

You will find your own examples to demonstrate at least TWO (2) of the gag types from the definition sheet & post them to this THREAD: GAG EXAMPLES 

 
Week 2

 

AT1: Write a comedy Script 

  • You pitch your AT1 Script ideas - note feedback. 
  • We chat self-contained premise, recurring characters, what ideas are suited to sketches versus long form narrative.
  • Explore the tool: Tim Ferguson's 6 steps of comic character creation.

Resources: 6 STEPS OF COMIC CHARACTER CREATION.docx

Actions

 

 

 

HOMEWORK: 

  • Write your script (read through in class next week)
  • Write a pitch for the comedy series you plan to work on this semester
Week 3

INTRO to AT2/3: What is your Series Pitch? 

Initial Pitches in class - Feedback provided.  90 second MAX

Narrative Comedy: 

  • With your pitch in mind we look at CHARACTER in narrative and several tools to develop 
  • Character development: The Square 
  • Character development: The Character Matrix
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine Opening - matrix 
  • Tim Ferguson's character chart 

 

AT1: Write a Comedy Script DUE 

  • HOMEWORK: 
    Flesh out your comedy series pitch
    Complete character squares / matrix for at least 3 characters 
Week 4

AT2/3: Bible & Pilot Script 

  • Re-pitch your Project - Finalised Pitch of your Project as a whole. Pitch your Pilot Episode. 
  • You commit here to the Project you will develop this semester. 
  • AT2: Present draft bible: We go over the requirements for your BIBLE. 

What's in a Pilot? 

  • 'Community' - character & world building 
  • Basic Sitcom structure

Outline for group meetings: 

  • Bullet point outline/Excel outline overview. 
  • You will be allocated groups for pilot outline reviews. 

HOMEWORK: 

  • Develop a bullet point outline for your pilot (this will be shared among your allocated group)
  • Begin developing content for your bible

 
Week 5

Labour Day public holiday - No class today 

HOMEWORK: 

  • Refine your bullet point outline
  • Work on your bible 
Week 6

Group  Meetings: Each group meets with each other to discuss your outline & receive feedback

HOMEWORK: 

  • Update your outline based on feedback
Week 7

Group  Meetings: Each group meets with each other to discuss your outline & receive feedback

HOMEWORK: 

  • Update your outline based on feedback
  • Refine your Pilot outlines over the break.
  • Begin pages. 
MID SEMESTER BREAK

29 March - 5 April inclusive 

  
Week 8

AT2/3: Your pilot

  • How are your pages going?
  • Are you employing 'Cause and effect'?
  • Peer review of your cause and effect
  • MEG's Writing exercise

HOMEWORK: 

  • Watch 'Why are you like this' on ABC iView and breakdown the pilot episode via a bullet point outline 
Week 9

Your Pilot: Cause and effect

  • How does cause and effect impact the viewer? 
  • As a class we will go through the pilot episodes of 'Why are you like this' &  'Kath & Kim' 
  • Using the tools we have been applying to our own work 

HOMEWORK: 

  • Write your pages 
Week 10

Your Pilot: Establishing character, world & stakes

HACKS Pilot - establishing character through action, setting premise  

  • Plotting - creating active characters. 
  • Character motivation.  Are your characters in forward motion? 
  • Stakes

FISK Pilot - We look at the set-up, the motivation, they 'why now', the stakes

PLATONIC Pilot - if we get time

Your Bible: review of your draft bible content 

AT2: Present draft bible DUE

HOMEWORK: 

  • Write your pages 
Week 11

Your Pilot: Watch a late season episode 

  • Peep Show
  • Explore essentials for pilots and review cause and effect. 

Table Reads in Groups:

  • Table reads of pilot scenes  - each student must share at least twice before end of semester. *Feedback

HOMEWORK: 

  • Write your pages 
Week 12

IN CLASS: 

  • Table reads of pilot scenes - each student must share at least twice before end of semester. *Feedback

 

HOMEWORK: 

  • Write your pages 

 
Week 13

IN CLASS: 

  • Table reads of pilot scenes - each student must share at least twice before end of semester. *Feedback

PLUS: 

  • Review of Series Bible - Update before submission. 
  • Does the content in your draft bible need updating? 

 

HOMEWORK: 

  • Write your pages 
  • Finish your bible 
Week 14

IN CLASS: 

  • Table reads of pilot scenes - each student must share at least twice before end of semester. *Feedback

AT3: Pilot and Series Bible DUE

 
 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The Learning Lab
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include participation in class exercises, oral presentations and practical writing tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided.

 


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task. 

 

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria. 

 

Assessment Task 1: 

After researching the market you will develop a concept brief for television comedy (5 pages maximum).

Due: Week 3

 

Assessment Task 2: Present draft bible

Create and present a series bible for an original comedy concept based on your market research. This will be the
content for your final TV Bible submission, so think of this as a draft bible.

Due: Week 10

 

Assessment Task 3: Pilot and series bible

PART A – Using your original comedy concept from Assessment Task 2, write the pilot episode.

PART B – Redraft and refine the series bible for your original pilot where necessary.

Due: Week 14

 

Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator. 

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are: 

CA: Competency Achieved 

NYC: Not Yet Competent 

DNS: Did not Submit


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.  

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview