Art of Comedy

Catalog description

Comedy is an art. Each and every day, we are touched by comedy, from a movie we love to a sitcom we binge-watch. With the advent of new media, we watch more comedy now than ever before. The artists of comedy are numerous and have dominated television and film from the inception of these media. Their craft is not happenstance, although great comedians may make it look that way. Comedy is crafted through writing and performance and delivered in a variety of forms: from stand-up to musical theater, from television and film to online video. The genesis of this course is the why and how of comedy. It is only by a thorough look back at the evolution of comedy can we understand comedy today. In this course, we will study some of the great comedic films and television programs to get an understanding of comedic timing, rhythm and material. We will also explore comedy writing and take a look at how television and movies are created. Lastly, we will take a look at the creation of a sitcom or film. What can sustain a show over many seasons or a film to be economically successful. Students will learn how to develop an idea into a comedy show, as well as how to pitch that idea to industry executives.