You’ll get an email any time I post new classes.
I’m teaching classes this Spring and Summer 2024 at the UCB Training Center.
Click for more information in my latest mailing list newsletter!
Sitcom Writer’s Room Classes
"Sitcom Writer's Room!" Students will act as staff writers for a currently-existing TV show. (Show to be determined in class.) The goal is to produce a spec script for the chosen TV show that is consistent in style and tone of that show. Students will learn learn skills essential to the writer's room: how to pitch episode ideas, break a story, collaborate effectively, deliver an outline, and work together on a script, all the way to a "cast read-through."
Scroll to the bottom of this page for an F.A.Q. about this class!
Story Structure Crash Course Workshop
Are you interested in writing a half-hour sitcom pilot, but don’t know anything about how to structure a story? Or have you written a script and are just interested in brushing up on story beats?
Students in this class will learn about the essential narrative beats of a sitcom, how those beats are universal to all stories, and how to inject comedy into individual scenes and the story as a whole. Students will complete a beat sheet for their original or spec pilot by the end of class.
Improv Classes
I teach improv classes through The Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center. I’ve been teaching improv there since 2010. I usually teach Improv 201, Improv 401, and the Advanced Study / Academy classes. Occasionally, I’ll teach the other levels or a special workshop. Currently, I’m not teaching in-person classes because of COVID.
For more information, go to the UCB Training Center website and look for my name in the available courses.
Sketch Writing
I teach sketch writing through The Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center. I’ve been teaching sketch there since 2015. I usually teach Sketch 101 and Sketch 201.
For more information, go to the UCB Training Center website and look for my name in the available courses.
Sitcom / Pilot Writing and Independent Consulting
I was an Adjunct Instructor teaching half-hour comedy writing at NYU’s Tisch School of The Arts (Rita and Burton Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing). I love helping people develop their original pilots and spec scripts.
If you’re interested in having me look at a draft of your half-hour script, feature screenplay, or your sketch packet, contact me below for rates and more information!
Coaching and Workshops
I’ll sometimes coach improv, direct sketch, or run private group workshops. If you’re interested in my services, contact me below for rates and more information!
Writer’s Room Classes F.A.Q.
WHAT ARE THESE "WRITER'S ROOM" CLASSES?
There are lots of great classes out there that focus on completing a draft of a pilot or a sketch packet. My "writer's room" classes instead focus on developing the skills you need in a professional writer's room. Skills like pitching ideas, collaborating with others, balancing the tone of a specific show with your own individual sense of humor, and eating an unhealthy amount of candy.
OH, SO I DON'T COME OUT WITH A SCRIPT AT THE END?
Nope! Individual students won't come out of class with their own original script. Instead, the class will work together to write one episode of a show. We'll be simulating a staff writing experience, so the goal is less about the end-product and more about the process. Through that process, students will learn essential skills, helpful approaches, and basic etiquette. Like which pets are OK to bring into the room. (No birds.)
WHO ARE THESE CLASSES BEST SUITED FOR?
Students who love writing, have taken improv/sketch and/or sitcom writing classes, and want to pursue comedy writing professionally. These students should also be chill and have a cool vibe. 😎
ALRIGHT, WHAT HAPPENS IN CLASS EACH WEEK? IS THERE HOMEWORK?
Each week, we will perform a fundamental part of the writer's room process. Students will be assigned homework each week.
WEEK 1: "Blue Sky" discussion.
WEEK 2: Pitch episode ideas.
WEEK 3: Break the story.
WEEK 4: Finalize the outline.
WEEK 5: Deliver first draft of script.
WEEK 6: Deliver rewrite draft of script.
WEEK 7: Read-through of rewritten script with cast.
We'll be doing other stuff too, but that gives you an idea!
Sketch/Variety-based classes will be the same length but a different session breakdown.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY "CAST?"
I'll get outside actors to volunteer an hour of their time to perform in a virtual table-read. Leo already says he's "interested." (DiCaprio.)
SOUNDS COOL. HOW LONG AND HOW MUCH?
7 sessions long, 3 hours each session, $350 suggested payment. There will be 6 to 8 students in each class. All classes will be held over Zoom.
HOW OFTEN DO REGISTER NEW CLASSES?
I have to schedule it around writing jobs and other personal obligations. But it’s usually every few months or so!
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO FIND OUT ABOUT FUTURE CLASSES?
This mailing list. But you can also follow me on Twitter / Instagram @astamate since I usually post about classes on there. Or this page you are on right now.
I WROTE A SCRIPT. CAN I PAY YOU TO READ IT AND GIVE ME NOTES?
Yep! Email me (below) for availability and scheduling. Pricing and info:
$150 to read script + a one hour Zoom meeting to discuss
Testimonials About “Sitcom Staff Writer’s Room” Class
“This class was brilliant. I am not a confident writer... so to have the support of Achilles as i worked with the team and cranked out the spec script was really great. His knowledge and skill as a teacher made us all shine. Would highly recommend this class.”
“Achilles’ Writer’s Room class is a crash course in working as a staff writer from Blue Sky brainstorming to table reads. Understanding the process not only makes me feel prepared to work in the room, but also strengthens my writing process in general. Not to mention, it was a blast!”
“Achilles’ writer’s room class was one of the most informative classes I have ever taken. We covered so many things and I came out of it feeling like I had more knowledge about what it’s actually like to be in a writer’s room than any other class I have had taken before.”