Class Description:

This class will deconstruct classic TV sketches of all kinds and discuss various formulas, principles and styles.

Students will learn about adding dimension to their comic premise, developing consistent beats of action, fleshing out comic characters and improving their endings.  We will make each other's material fresher and funnier, beat by beat.

Topics will include:

-The Many Styles of sketches.
-Using or Breaking Popular Formulas.
-Character choices.
-Finding ideas.
-Brainstorming.
-Meeting deadlines.
-Creating a professional packet.

Instructor Profile:

KEVIN SCOTT was the director of The Royal We for their live sketch reviews, and their TV pilot for TV Land Network.  He has taught sketch for the world famous Second City and The Peoples Improv Theater in New York.  In Chicago he began writing sketches with his sketch group "Bang Bang" which included Tracy Letts (Pulitzer Prize winnner for August: Osage County), Greg Kotis (Tony Award winner for Urinetown) and Michael Shannon (Academy Award Nominee for Revolutionary Road).  He is also a director and filmmaker who has been featured multiple times in Entertainment Weekly.

 

Kevin is a member of the legendary sketch comedy troupe The State, best known for their self-titled series on MTV. Recent film and TV appearances include Reno 911!: Miami, The Ten, The Next Girl I See, VH1’s Best Week Ever and HBO's Flight of the Conchords. Kevin’s writing has appeared in The Village Voice, Giant, Premiere and Film Journal International. He has served as the Artistic Director of The Peoples Improv Theater in NYC. Kevin teaches at The PIT and at NYU. Kevin is a staff writer for Blue Man Group Productions. His second one-man show of character sketches, F*** Up, premieres in November 2008. A reunion of The State for a Comedy Central project is in the works.

Photo by Keith Huang.

WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE CLASS

Kevin's class introduced me to some of the smartest and/or funniest people with whom I've ever worked.
--Jamie Frevele

I loved the hell out of it and I am going through some heavy withdrawal. I had a blast.
--Mike Stolp

Kevin puts 100% into these classes. He sincerely cares about the product and the people producing it.
--Justin Laub

Kevin inspired and helped every one of us to find our funniest sides.
--Melissa Ferraro

I feel like I've learned so much, about collaborating, writing, everything. All the hard work was worth it.
--Melissa Glassman

Kevin creates an environment where everyone (Kevin included) works as a team to encourage one another, flesh out ideas and tap into everyone's full comedic potential.
--Dan Schweitzer

Kevin's class got me writing again. An instant good mood at the end of each class.
--Heather Fink

I cant express to you how proud I am and how this experience has changed my life.
--Carli McCarthy

This experience is nothing less than great! To have the opportunity to work with a terrific group of people and produce some equally great work should not be passed up.
--Chris Wax

The class was one of the coolest experiences I've had.
--Anne Woodward

This class has taught me more about comedy (and writing...and myself) than anything else I've ever experienced. Kevin is supportive, dedicated and has a brilliant comic mind.
--Faye Monto

The strongest part of your class is getting to watch Kevin think about sketches, how he'd suggest improvement and think of ways to make them fresher and more original.
--Brianne Halverson

This creative opportunity was like no other and I can't say enough about the class.
--Jared Vergilis

Kevin is so incredibly encouraging and talented. Heʼll help you to be as bold as you want to be.
--Sara Allocco