Notes: Course Repeatable for Credit. PREREQUISITES: DWPG-UT 1048 OR DWPG-UT 1045 OR DWPG-UT 1040 OR DWPG-UT 1050 OR DWPG-UT 1057. Course combined with DWPG-GT 2082.001 and NCRD-UT 8012. Sketch writing is the art of fully exploring a funny idea. Writers can use tools like great dialogue, big characters, physical comedy, topical references, genre parody, and theatrical effects along the way, but these things should always be at the service of our main jobs as sketch writers: making one central funny idea clear to our audience, and finding a way to keep it fresh and surprising for 3-5 pages. In this course students will learn strategies for anticipating and managing an audience’s expectations so that an idea gets funnier as a sketch goes on and avoids running out of steam or disappearing altogether.

Notes: Course Repeatable for Credit. PREREQUISITES: DWPG-UT 1048 OR DWPG-UT 1045 OR DWPG-UT 1040 OR DWPG-UT 1050 OR DWPG-UT 1057. Section is combined with DWPG-GT 2080.002 and NCRD-UT 8013. This course is an introduction to late-night comedy writing. Students will learn the fundamentals of comedy writing and how to apply them to the late-night format. The class will be funnier than this description. Each lesson will break down a different late-night comedy segment through lectures, viewings, readings and the occasional guest speaker. Homework will be reviewed in class so everyone can benefit from knowing what works, what doesn’t and why. Students will take part in exercises and pitch sessions in class designed to reflect the experience and time pressures of a real writers’ room. Just like in a real writers’ room, participation is expected and not just on the days you're feeling funny. Students will be required to keep abreast of the news and come to class prepared to write jokes and desk-pieces on subjects selected by the instructor. They will create material appropriate for different late night programs and hosts while compiling a late-night writing packet to be used to seek work in the field.