Overview
Pablo Neruda said “Laughter is the language of the soul.” We learn this in the Simpsons episode “Bart sells his soul” where Bart literally sells his soul for five dollars and subsequently loses the ability to laugh, highlighting the connection between laughter and one’s spirit.
In this Writing for Comedy workshop, we will do a shallow dive into the fundamentals of screenwriting. After which we will then climb the high tower for a deep dive into comedy and how to apply it to your script. Whether it’s a fun skit, content creation for social media, or a short film for film festivals, we will delve into the art of comedy. So, get your bathing suit on, we’re going for the laugh.
Objective
This two-day workshop will equip participants with the fundamental screenwriting tools and techniques necessary for writing a strong script, with a special focus on incorporating comedy elements effectively to enhance the narrative. By the end of the workshop, participants will have the skills to craft a short comedic screenplay or script outline.
What You Will Learn:
1. A working knowledge of industry-standard screenwriting format
2. The fundamental formulas and techniques for crafting an entertaining story
3. Going for the laugh: How to write a funny short film
4. Finding the joke: How to write a skit for sketch comedy
5. The structure to build a comedic feature film script
Target Audience
Screenwriters, producers, directors, or anyone with an interest in writing.
Schedule
Session 1: Saturday, March 22, 1pm-4pm
Session 2: Saturday, March 29, 1pm-4pm
Required Materials
Writing Materials (pen, paper/notebook) (Optional)
Personal laptop (Optional)
Please note: DARC will provide desktop computers for participants to use throughout the workshop
Instructor
Colin Masterson is a local independent artist, screenwriter and actor who has been a frequent participant in Ottawa’s Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival since he graduated from the Algonquin College’s Scriptwriting program in 2018. In the past 5 years has won the “Best Screenplay” award twice, and continues to be an active member of the filmmaking community. Before moving home from Vancouver in 2017, Colin had worked on a wide variety of productions from TV broadcast companies like FOX, CBS and Amazon Prime to Universal major motion pictures. Colin is incredibly passionate about our independent filmmaking community, our city, and is committed to helping build a thriving, inclusive and supportive environment for all independent artists.
Workshop Pricing
This workshop is $75 for Members and $125 for Non-Members. To access our member pricing, join our membership at https://digitalartsresourcecentre.ca/joinus/.
Fees for this workshop can be waived if access to funds is a barrier to participation. For more information please email education@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca.
