Comedy Writing
MA
Falmouth University
Key Course Facts
Course Description
Get the skills, tools and industry insights to push your projects to the top of the commissioning editor’s pile and get your script green-lit.
Push the boundaries of comedy writing to its limits. Interrogate big ideas like sex, politics, religion and family through comedy. Or just write a show that's unashamedly stupid! There are lots of opportunities right now and a great need for new comedy writers.
Get the skills, tools and industry-focus which will push your projects to the top of the commissioning editor's pile and see your script green-lit. Who knows; you could see yourself on the way to the BAFTAs, Oscars or Golden Globes with the next Fleabag, VEEP, Modern Family or Father Ted.
Throughout this course, you'll get writing tips and career guidance masterclasses from the very best in the industry. Guests have included the likes of sketch comedy heroes French & Saunders, Emmy and BAFTA-winning comedy writer Simon Blackwell, Radio 4 comedy commissioner Sioned Wiliam and former head of BBC and Sky comedy commissioning, Lucy Lumsden.
This online MA has been developed by award-winning comedy producer and executive producer Simon Nicholls. Simon has 20 years' comedy industry experience, developing and selling comedies in the UK and US.
You will:
Study the work of renowned writers and directors, reflect on professional trends and learn how to seize market opportunities Be taught by a host of comedy experts including multi-award-winning TV and Radio comedy producer and executive producer Simon Nicholls Learn how to write comedy sketches, sitcoms, comedy dramas and develop a body of work for multiple platforms including; radio, TV, film and online Develop a comedy writing portfolio consisting of scripts, treatments, synopses and your responses to professional comedy briefs which can be used as a calling card to gain agent representation and to present to commissioning editors Structure your working practice as a comedy writer; plotting your day, dealing with writers’ block, working to tight deadlines while remaining funny Understand the role of a commissioner, the criteria by which they assess new writing and what it takes to get your project green-lit
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Comedy Writing (Online), MA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.
An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply. For more information about entry requirements and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), speak to an advisor. You'll need to submit up to five pages of a script for either radio, TV or film. It's your choice, but it must be a comedy script, not any other genre, that best shows off your comedy writing. Please also submit a 300-word piece of writing considering an old sitcom, which is no longer running. The piece of writing should clearly tell us why you've picked this show for reinvention now. Please describe how you'll modernise and reinvent the show to be a relevant must-watch for today's audience. You should give consideration as to who will star in this production, and your vision for the show.
Costs
Average student cost of living in the UK
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
University Rankings
Positions of Falmouth University in top UK and global rankings.
See all 8 university rankings of Falmouth University
About Falmouth University
Established in 1902, Falmouth University (FU) is located in the port town of the same name. This university dedicates itself to a variety of subjects related to Design & Art, particularly in the technological sense. Some examples of what to expect here include Games & Computing Courses, Photography, and Film Studies. As Falmouth is located in the famous surfer hotspot of Cornwall, watersport fanatics will quickly find themselves at home. If surfing isn’t for you, you can still enjoy the pristine beaches and the social scene in the surrounding area.
Student composition of Falmouth University
-
Students by level of study Academic year 2020/21 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on 10 February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 5065
- postgraduates:
- 615
- Total:
- 5680
Where is this programme taught
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