School of Cinematic Arts
The John Wells Division of Writing for Screen and Television
CTWR 477: Staff Writing the Sketch Comedy Show
Spring 2024 / 4 Units
Professor: Mike Gibbons
Class Schedule: Mondays – 1:00 to 4pm and Fridays* 4pm-10pm
Class Location: Zemeckis Bldg. Visual Effects Lab 177
Office Hours: Before and after class
*Friday classes are only in the weeks when we have our shows (3 times in the
semester).
Course Objective
To introduce and teach students concepts and skills in writing and producing sketch
comedy culminating with the production of three LIVE sketch comedy shows in front of a
studio audience.
Course Description
This course is designed to educate students on the techniques of writing a humorous sketch
as well as producing a sketch comedy show.
This is a 15- instructional week course. Maximum enrollment is 12 writers.
The class meets Mondays from 1pm to 4pm. There are also 3 Friday night sessions.
Formats for the scenes are multi-camera filmed sketches as well as short comedic pre-
shot films developed and rehearsed in conjunction with CTPR 499 “Directing the
Comedy Sketch Show.” The Trojan Vision class [CTPR 409] will take on the technical
duties for the 3 dress rehearsals and 3 live shows.
The first four weeks of this course will focus on the techniques of creating and writing a
comedy sketch. The first half of each class instruction will be devoted to a discussion of
techniques further detailed in the course content section of this syllabus. The second
half of each class instruction will focus on student application and demonstration of
those skills discussed; with analysis and critique from the instructor and class as a
whole.
The remaining weeks of the course will involve collaboration with directing, acting and
Trojan Vision students in rehearsing and producing three LIVE sketch comedy half-
hours.
Recommended Reading and Viewing
Comedy Writing for Late-Night TV: How to Write Monologue Jokes, Desk Pieces,
Sketches, Parodies, Audience Pieces, Remotes, and Other Short-Form Comedy, by
Joe Toplyn.
Poking a Dead Frog, by Mike Sacks
Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told
by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales
The instructor will send out lists of sketches available on the Internet to watch after we
meet for the first time. Below are some of the better known sketch shows. Numerous
websites rank the best sketches from them. It is recommended you familiarize yourself
with the strongest examples from these shows.
● Saturday Night Live
● Mr. Show
● Kids in the Hall
● A Black Lady Sketch Show
● The Catherine Tate Show
● I Think You Should Leave
● Tim and Eric, Awesome Show, Great Job!
● Portlandia
● SCTV
● Little Britain
● Key & Peele
● Monty Python
Evaluation of Student Performance
Participation: 10%
Completing assignments: 50% (12 assignments at approx 4% each)
Using critique/feedback in rewrites: 20%
Completed portfolio/packet: 20%
The following is a breakdown of numeric grade to letter grade:
A 100% to 94%
A- 93% to 90%
B+ 89% to 87%
B 86% to 83%
B- 82% to 80%
C+ 79% to 77%
C 76% to 73%
C- 72% to 70%
D+ 69% to 67%
D 66% to 63%
F 59% to 0%
Writing Division Attendance Policy and Impact on Grade
This class is a workshop and your participation in the discussion is important.
Participation includes full involvement in, and contribution to, class discussion, as well
as reading (in advance at times; see schedule) the assignments of your colleagues and
offering thoughtful, constructive comments.
Class attendance is mandatory, and students are expected to be on time and prepared
for each class. Tardiness is unprofessional and will hold up the business of the class.
Please make your best effort to be on time. Two late arrivals equals one full absence.
Two unexcused absences will result in your final grade being lowered by a half grade
point (Ex. A to A-) Any further unexcused absences will result in your final grade being
lowered another two-thirds of a point (ex: B to a C+) for each absence
If you have a conflict that will cause you to miss class, you need to secure the
instructor’s approval of that absence in advance of the class. Excused absences can
include, but are not limited to: illness, both physical and mental; death of a loved one;
personal emergency; sporting events (for Student-Athletes) or other university
sponsored activities; religious holidays, and so on. In addition, due to current Covid
protocols, if you are feeling ill, without time to test before class, please notify your
instructor, do not attend class and get a test. If you test positive, inform your instructor
and quarantine for the Health Department’s designated period of time.
If you miss class without informing your instructor, it will be considered an unexcused
absence. Unexcused absences can lower your final grade for the course. If you find you
must miss class due to personal emergency or personal crisis, please contact your
professor as soon as possible so they can assist you in finding the appropriate
University care and guidance. Your health and well-being are of utmost importance to
the Wells Writing Division and to your Faculty.
Course Content
NOTE: Weekly assignments and course content can be adjusted per the needs of the
instruction and the upcoming shows. Each student will have at least 1 sketch in one of
the three live shows.
All sketches assigned and written for the course will be considered for the LIVE sketch
comedy show. Assignments must be turned in as Final Draft files (.fdx). They’re due
Fridays by midnight on Blackboard unless otherwise specified.
1/8/24 - Class 1 – Introduction
Orientation. All classes meet together (Ron Howard stage, Zemeckis Bldg.) Discuss
how this class will prepare students for “real world” sketch comedy TV. After that, the
writing students will meet apart from the other classes. Then we’ll meet again with the
actors to start to get a feel for their individual energies.
Topics Covered:
● Suggested software and formatting
● Basic terms: who-what-where, game/reveal/turn, beats/heightening, button/blow
● What makes a good idea for a sketch? Pet peeves, real life, genres
● An example outline for a basic sketch
Writing assignment: Write 2 sketches for us to read with the actors next week. Can be rough,
but must be a full sketch. Also pitch a sketch you’d like the class to watch.
These sketches should be NO MORE THAN 6 PAGES! (They can be shorter.) And
they must be producible in terms of props, cast, and sets within our means.
Since there is a holiday next week, I may give you notes and ask for a rewrite on your
1/15/24 - MLK Day - No Class
1/22/24 - Class 2 – Types of Sketches
We dig into some common types of sketches.
Topics Covered:
● Slice of life
● Character sketch
● Genre Parody
Writing Assignment: Write two more sketches, each of which should clearly be one of the
categories we discussed. Also rewrite one or more sketches you want to keep in contention for
the show. Watch the sketches suggested by other students. Material is due Friday 1/19/24 to
1/29/24 - Class 3 – Character Sketches
Write a sketch that showcases a character. Write a sketch meant for a particular actor.
Topics covered:
● Inspired by people you know
● Beginning with a physicality
● Beginning with a voice
● Beginning with a phrase / philosophy
Writing Assignment: Write two character sketches. Have an actor in mind from our cast for one
of them. Rewrite one or more previous sketches based on the classes’ suggestions.
2/5/24 - Class 4 – Techniques and Heightening
We explore common techniques for making your sketch stronger.
Topics covered:
● Relatability
● Patterns and repetition
● Specificity of language
● Clarity
● Voice of reason
● Your voice
This week, we select which sketches are in the show.
Writing Assignment: Write two sketches where the focus is on heightening. Also rewrite one or
more other sketches.
Writer’s block and how to fight it.
2/12/24 - Class 5 – Prep for Show 1
Table read / Rehearsal and Run Thru of Original Sketches
-All classes meet together. Reading and rehearsal of original sketches for Show 1.
Writing notes, directing notes, acting notes. -We will rehearse with the guest host. Cold
opening and monologue will be assigned, and revised right up to:
2/16/24 - Show 1 (Friday night)
2/19/24 - President’s Day - No Class
2/26/24 - Class 6 – Post show discussion
Discuss sketches from show and pitch ideas to improve. Read new sketches.
Writing assignment: Write or revise 2+ sketches.
How to create a Franchise Character.
-Table read and stage/rehearse sketches.
-Creating a character with a comedic point of view.
-Assignment: Create a Franchise Sketch Character. Write two sketches for that
character. Review Last week’s homework, and revise sketches based on notes.
3/4/23 - Class 7 – Indulge Yourself
Discuss: what kind of sketches do you love doing? Any “guilty pleasure” types of sketch? Some
like to list a million specifics, other prefer irrational characters, some like commenting on issues
of the day. What do you love?
Writing assignment: Write or revise a sketch and write another new sketch based on the talents
of the cast.
3/11/24 - SPRING BREAK - No Class
3/18/24 - Class 8 – Unique Voices
We discuss some sketches that show a unique sensibility. Have there been any sketches you’ve
written that really feel like “you?”
Writing assignment: Write or revise 2+ sketches.
3/25/24 - Class 9 – Prep for Show 2.
All classes meet together. Reading and rehearsal of original sketches for Show 2. Writing
notes, directing notes, acting notes.
Writing assignment: Revise sketches from the show, plus bring in one new sketch.
3/29/24 - Show 2 (Friday night)
4/1/24 - Class 10 – Post show discussion
Discuss sketches from show and pitch ideas to improve. Read new sketches.
Writing assignment: Write or revise 2+ sketches.
4/8/24 - Class 11 – Read Sketches
We read the new and revised sketches and offer notes.
Writing assignment: Write or revise 2+ sketches.
4/15/24 - Class 12 – Prep for Show 3
All classes meet together. Reading and rehearsal of original sketches for Show 3. Writing
notes, directing notes, acting notes.
Writing assignment: Revise sketches from the show, plus pitch another sketch for class to
watch.
4/19/24 - Show 3 (Friday night)
4/22/24 - Class 13 – Post show discussion
Analyzing sketches suggested by students
We discuss the class’ pick of sketches. We discuss each students’ sketch packet.
Writing assignment: Assemble and sequence your sketch packet.
4/29/24 - Class 14 – Watching tapes of live shows
We’ll watch the tapes of one or more live shows.
Writing assignment: Do whatever is necessary to complete your packet (formatting, combining
into one document, any changes you wish).
5/6/24 - Class 15 – Individual focus of what each student could focus on next.
The instructor leads a discussion of each students’ strengths over the semester.
Missing an Assignment Deadline, Incompletes
The only acceptable excuses for missing an assignment deadline or taking an
incomplete in the course are personal illness or a family emergency. Students must
inform the professor before the assignment due date and present verifiable evidence in
order for a make-up to be scheduled. Students who wish to take incompletes must also
present documentation of the problem to the instructor or teaching assistant before final
grades are due.
Disruptive Student Behavior
Behavior that persistently or grossly interferes with classroom activities is considered
disruptive behavior and may be subject to disciplinary action. Such behavior inhibits
other students’ ability to learn and an instructor’s ability to teach. A student responsible
for disruptive behavior may be required to leave class pending discussion and
resolution of the problem and may be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs
for disciplinary action.
Academic Conduct
Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in
your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences.
Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Part B,
Section 11, “Behavior Violating University Standards”
https://policy.usc.edu/scampus-part-b/.
Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional
information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct,
http://policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct.
PLEASE NOTE:
FOOD AND DRINKS (OTHER THAN WATER) ARE NOT PERMITTED IN ANY
INSTRUCTIONAL SPACES IN THE CINEMATIC ARTS COMPLEX
Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems
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The University of Southern California is a learning community committed to developing
successful scholars and researchers dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the
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who commits the act and can impugn the perceived integrity of the entire university
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All students are expected to submit assignments that represent their own original work,
and that have been prepared specifically for the course or section for which they have
been submitted. You may not submit work written by others or “recycle” work prepared
for other courses without obtaining written permission from the instructor(s).
Other violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating,
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of academic dishonesty, and any act that gains or is intended to gain an unfair
academic advantage.
The impact of academic dishonesty is far-reaching and is considered a serious offense
against the university. All incidences of academic misconduct will be reported to the
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assignment, failure in the course, suspension, or even expulsion from the university.
For more information about academic integrity see the student handbook or the Office
of Academic Integrity’s website, and university policies on Research and Scholarship
Misconduct.
Please ask your instructor if you are unsure what constitutes unauthorized assistance
on an exam or assignment, or what information requires citation and/or attribution.
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