Here are the best resources for this dive broken down by beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
This Writer (Sketch) Resource Handbook Below
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Writer (Sketch) - Resources
Resources
An Introduction to Writing Sketch Comedy
0 Break Diver Votes
This is a simple blog post, but one that goes over some key points all sketch writers should know. Be sure to check it out on your sketch writing journey!
Category: Self-Study
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
Celtx Software
0 Break Diver Votes
Celtx is a unique piece of software. The idea is 'concept to complete', so it helps you manage your production from the day you conceive to the day you start receiving box office receipts. It includes script writing, budgeting, scheduling, shot lists, and more. It should be free to get started.
Category: Other Apps & Websites
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Comedy Crowd
0 Break Diver Votes
Do you want to know:How do you generate ideas for a sketch?How do you end a sketch?Try out this beautiful website in the link below...
Category: Self-Study
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
Comedy Writing Self-Taught
0 Break Diver Votes
This book, especially since it's also available via Kindle outside the USA, is a great tutorial that will not only help you with Sketch, but also Standup, and Situation Comedy. If you can't find a class (or even if you can), this book will help out.
Category: Textbooks
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Comedy Writing Self-Taught Workbook
0 Break Diver Votes
If you need more hands-on practice with writing, and need some pushing and prodding and musing, this workbook has many exercises to help you get it down on the page.
Category: Self-Study
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Creator Handbook
0 Break Diver Votes
An amazing website getting you dig deeper into the world of sketch writing. It will get you to know about what is a sketch writing, from where it began, how you can start. Also, there are tips and advice that can help you to be a better sketch writer. And there are a lot of other posts about other topics than sketch writing, so go and have fun.
Category: Self-Study
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
How to Write a Comedy Sketch
0 Break Diver Votes
If you want a basic tutorial on how to write sketch comedy, you can go here. It also has some sample sketches for you to look at, so you can see what finished sketches look like. The first one about The Scotsman is really funny, and it shows precisely what is meant by the 'button' at the end (i.e. the final joke that brings it all together).
Category: Self-Study
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
The Comedy Bible
0 Break Diver Votes
This is a classic that's been around a long time, but as you can see from the reviews on Amazon, it is really quite helpful to hundreds of people.
Category: Textbooks
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
The Comic Toolbox
0 Break Diver Votes
Read this book. Why? Go read the reviews on Amazon and you'll know why. It's a requirement for any comedian of any sort.
Category: Textbooks
Skill Levels:
- Intermediate
- Advanced
The Newplex
0 Break Diver Votes
Hi sketch writers, this is another wonderful website and also a community that can help you to build your sketch writing skill chunk by chunk, and also you can share whatever your records, your podcasts, and also your performances there. There are a lot of links you can find that can take you to pretty good tutorials that can help you with your beautiful journey into the sketch writing world, so, what are you waiting for?!
Category: Self-Study
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
The People's Improv Theater NYC
0 Break Diver Votes
The P.I.T. NYC is a very well-known comedy school in New York City. They are known for being less expensive than UCB (Upright Citizen's Brigade) but with just as high (if not higher) quality of classes. They have recently begun offering excellent online improv and sketch writing classes, and at very reasonable prices. Although the coronavirus pandemic caused a lot of misery in the world, it also has the silver lining of bringing The P.I.T. online. Definitely check them out, wherever you may be in the world!
Category: Schools
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Trelby
0 Break Diver Votes
This is a 100% completely free screenwriting program you can download to your computer. Go check it out!
Category: Other Apps & Websites
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
UCB Comedy Improvisation Manual
0 Break Diver Votes
While this beautiful brick of a book (it is SO heavy) is primarily focused on improv, many of the techniques within can be used when writing Sketch Comedy. After you learn the basics, if you want to learn more advanced skills, definitely check this book out.
Category: Textbooks
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Upright Citizens Brigade
0 Break Diver Votes
A strong competitor to The P.I.T. in NYC, and certainly more well-known, but also much more expensive. They offer excellent improv and sketch classes, and we believe they also are now offering online classes too. One warning: they are known to be inconsistently politically correct, and it can make the classes awkward. For example, they have a policy where none of the comedy can be about rape, because it is 'triggering', but comedy about murder, drugs, incest, guns, and other arguably similarly 'triggering' topics are fair game. Also, the word 'bitch' is not allowed to ever be used either, when other offensive foul language is completely acceptable. They really should be consistent. Either be 100% politically correct (and ruin all comedy), or let everything be fair game (which is how comedy should be). And if they choose something in the middle, create a 'forbidden words and topics' list so everyone knows on day one.Nonetheless, UCB is an excellent school, and as long as you are aware of the above issues, and don't mind being censored, it's a great place to study.
Category: Schools
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Los Angeles Training Center
Writer Duet
0 Break Diver Votes
Years ago, Final Draft used to be the standard for writing scripts. And you always had to pay for it up front. Now, with Writer Duet, you can create up to three free scripts absolutely free, and all online. It's a really great tool, works really well, and is just what you need to get started writing your sketches. Note: the left menu on the side is really confusing, so don't be discouraged by that. Until you figure things out, it's hard to navigate around. But it's worth it. It will allow you to create your first literary masterpieces without spending any money upfront.
Category: Other Apps & Websites
Skill Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Writer (Sketch) - Resources
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