Learn from a veteran TV comedy writer how to write professional sitcom scripts and how to break into show business. In this six-week online course, you'll discover the artistic and technical considerations that go into making a great sitcom script. You'll master the art of creating concise, sparkling dialogue and telling your story completely through jokes. You'll get easy-to-follow instructions for using sitcom characters to their fullest, creating powerful storylines, and selling your ideas to existing shows.

You'll pick up tricks of the trade and learn to avoid mistakes that mark you as an amateur. And you'll come to understand what happens to your script once you sell it, what happens in a sitcom writers' room, and what happens during the rewrite and punch-up process. Discover from an insider what it takes to get a job in this expanding and lucrative field!

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.

Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Mindy Glazer.

Mindy Glazer has been a staff and freelance comedy writer for over 20 years, and she's now a development executive at a Hollywood production company. In the process of breaking into the business, she made every beginner's mistake possible and yet still managed to find work. Because the industry has become more competitive, she developed her course, "Breaking Into Sitcom Writing," to help aspiring writers avoid the pitfalls. She has taught this subject at numerous colleges and universities in Southern California, and she has had a number of students go on to sell scripts, get agents and jobs, and even win Emmys!

“ Identifying the different types of jokes...really helps build a sort of comic palette - different things to try and blend until you've got something great. ”

“ I did learn plenty of things about the very special process of creating sitcom scripts that I am confident will help me in future writing. ”

“ I found it enjoyable and informative. I think I got a lot from it, which will help me as a writer. ”

“ I loved the course and especially Mindy's complete coverage of the television writing industry, with anecdotes. I received a lot of helpful information, especially for an introductory course. ”

“ Interesting and valuable information. Whether or not I ever write a sitcom it can only enhance my other freelance writing projects. Mindy is a wonderful instructor. ”

“ I thought that the class was very informative. Mindy was prompt in answering any questions that we had and in offering suggestions to improve our scripts. ”

“ I want to thank you for your help, guidance and inspiration. You have a great attitude and it shows in how much you love the world of sitcom. ”

“ Loved Chapter 3. The way good character structure can take you by the hand and lead you right to a story is fascinating. It's like working a jigsaw puzzle. These valuable building tools are priceless. ”

“ Your personal anecdotes shared with us added to the credibility you brought to this online classroom. Your detailed critiques of our writing attempts were well-analyzed and delivered promptly. ”

“ I loved the course and especially Mindy's complete coverage of the television writing industry, with anecdotes. I received a lot of helpful information, especially for an introductory course. ”

“ Interesting and valuable information. Whether or not I ever write a sitcom it can only enhance my other freelance writing projects. Mindy is a wonderful instructor. ”

“ I found it enjoyable, and informative. I think I got a lot from it, which will help me as a writer. ”

“ Thank you for putting this course together. It has been very helpful and I've learned so very much. While it won't be an easy road, I know I'll make it! ”

“ Great class! I learned so much. I feel I am much more prepared to put out a sitcom script and be taken seriously than I was before. Thanks. ”

“ I would like to say thank you to Ms. Glazer for giving such great lessons and tips on creating a solid sitcom script. I will take what I learned here and hopefully create a great spec script. ”

“ I have read countless of books on screenwriting, dramatic writing, and every kind of writing and have never seen that technique applied. The technique is an incredible tool to creating a story while keeping to the traits of a character and using them to enhance the overall story. ”