Stage 32 6-Part Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Multi-Cam Comedy Pilot Script In 6 Weeks

Write the pilot script for your multi-cam comedy television series with expert guidance from a TV writer who has worked on multi-cam shows for Disney, Netflix, Freeform and other networks.

ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT!

***Flexible Learning: if you cannot attend any of the sessions live don't worry - you will be sent the links to the recordings of each session within 48 hours of the live session and you will have direct access to Eric on email to ask him any questions so you can keep up at your own pace and schedule.***

Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details

From CHEERS, SEINFELD, and FRIENDS to EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, BIG BANG THEORY, FULL HOUSE, and FULLER HOUSE, so many of the mega-hit shows that we all know and love are multi-cam comedy formats. In 2023, multi-cam sitcoms are everywhere, with shows like LOPEZ VS LOPEZ, THE CONNERS, NIGHT COURT, THE NEIGHBORHOOD and THAT 90'S SHOW all anchoring program schedules for their respective networks/streamers. There will always be a robust market for easy to produce, laugh-out-loud comedies, which means writing your own multi-cam pilot will greatly increase your staffing and development opportunities. 

In this exclusive Stage 32 6-part screenwriting lab, you will work one-on-one with a veteran multi-cam comedy writer to write your very own pilot episode for your multi-cam series. You will not only write your pilot episode but you will learn the fundamentals of writing a multi-cam series and how to create a successful series that can go on for multiple seasons. 

Guiding you step-by-step through writing your very own multi-cam pilot is Eric Zimmerman, a working TV writer for 14 years, including writing on all 100 episodes of Freeform’s multi-cam hit BABY DADDY. Eric most recently served as a Co-Executive Producer on Disney’s multi-cam SYDNEY TO THE MAX. He has also sold several multi-cam projects to Disney and Netflix, as well as worked on multi-cam network pilots. But most importantly, Eric wasn’t always a multi-cam writer. He got his start writing on single camera and animated series, including the Emmy-nominated DAN VS. But once he started writing multi-cams, he quickly fell in love with the genre.

Over six interactive sessions, Eric will break down the creative process of developing your multi-cam comedy series, covering all the crucial topics that will get you from your original concept to delivering a draft of your own multi-cam pilot.

Plus! you will have direct access to Eric on email to ask him any questions about your craft or your career. 

Most kids and family sitcoms are multi-cams, which in many cases represent the easiest path to getting that ever elusive first writing job. In a world where writing staffs and episode orders are shrinking and opportunities for writers to go to set and gain valuable producing experience are becoming less and less the norm, multi-cam television is one of the few genres where the traditional job of a TV writer/producer still exists.

By the end of screenwriting lab, you will have a completed draft of your multi-cam pilot script in hand that has been vetted by an industry professional and that will serve as an effective writing sample to help you find a rep, get staffed on a TV show or successfully sell as a spec!

"I am thrilled to be part of this vibrant stage 32 community! I have every confidence that my multi-cam  interactive lab will prove more valuable to your life than food, water, and perhaps even air." - Eric Zimmerman

WEEK 1 – What Makes Your Idea A Multi-Cam Series? And Why Should YOU Write It?

• Analyze the differences between multi-cam and single-cam series
• Approaches to storytelling
• Why and how character development is different
• Differences in dialogue/comedy
• What exactly is a “hybrid” show?
• The ingredients commonly found in successful multi-cams
• What are the key factors in choosing an idea to write?
• Why you need to bring a unique perspective to your idea
• How to make your story deeply personal
• Finding your “why now?”
• Q&A with Eric

Handouts: Pilot scripts to compare and contrast - multi-cam family show Everybody Loves Raymond vs single-cam family show Modern Family; Pitch Doc for Eagleton Estate, a multi-cam show Eric sold to Netflix

Assignment: Generate an idea for a multi-cam pilot that is timely, personal, and has a unique perspective

WEEK 2 – How To Develop Your Show

• Keys to developing an engaging main character for your pilot
• How to make your character relatable
• Should your character be aspirational?
• The importance of being lovable
• A discussion of character flaws
• What is his/her/their journey?
• What is your story engine?
• Why you must determine “what kind of show” you’re writing and “where it lives”
• How to create supporting characters that will challenge your hero(es) and add humor
• Should your show be serialized or episodic? Some combination?
• Tips on crafting your logline
• Q&A with Eric

Handouts: Friends and Big Bang Theory pilot scripts

Assignment: Develop a main character, supporting characters, and a story engine for your pilot. Be able to answer the questions “what kind of show is this?” and “where does it live?”

WEEK 3 – How To Craft The Perfect Pilot Story

• Determining where, when, and how your story starts
• Genesis pilot? Drop right into their lives? A bit of both?
• The value of writing a mostly traditional episode
• Why many pilots set up the world and tell a “mini-sode”
• When to tell a story unlike all future episodes, where your world isn’t fully set up until the very end of the pilot
  • Breaking down great examples of each
• What to do if the supporting characters you already created don’t seem necessary to your pilot story
• How to determine if your story should be 2 acts? 3 acts? No act breaks??
• How many stories should you tell in your pilot?
  • What makes an A story different from a B or C story?
• You get a drive! And you get a drive!
  • What is a drive and which characters get one?
  • Which characters get an arc?
• How to successfully outline your episode and season
  • Attitudes, attitudes, and more attitudes
  • Being true to your characters
  • Learn how to think like a writer/producer (and not just a writer)

Handouts: Baby Daddy and Sydney To The Max pilot scripts, Baby Daddy and Sydney To The Max example outlines

Assignment: Break your story, complete with drives, arcs, and (probably) act breaks. Then, write your outline.

WEEK 4 –One-on-One Consultations (no online class)

Briefly pitch Eric your show, starting with your logline, and a summary of your pilot story. Eric will give you feedback and help you with any aspect of your series, story, or outline you’re struggling with.

Assignment: Finish and/or revise your outline

WEEK 5 –First Drafts and Beyond

• Prep to write your first draft
• Fix your outline, rebreak your story if needed before you write
• What is a vomit pass and should you do one?
• Beyond the first draft
• Fresh eyes, fresh hearts, can’t lose
• Rewrite
• Rewrite again
• And again and again and again
• The importance of jokes, jokes, and more jokes… but not too many jokes
• Introduce the creative process of a multi-cam TV show’s writers’ room
  • They actually have tremendous value
  • Well, most of them
  • But not for the reason you might expect
• Illustrate the value of rewrites
• The importance of hearing your words out loud
• Teamwork makes the script work
• The value of network/studio notes
• How to get the most mileage out of your new spec
• Using it to find an agent
• Using it to get staffed
• Selling a spec
• Q&A with Eric

Assignment: Write your first draft!

WEEK 6 –One-on-One Consultations (no online class)

Any questions? Are you stuck on anything? Note: To aid in our discussion, Eric will read your cold open/teaser before you meet.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• This lab is designed for beginner and intermediate writers interested in writing a pilot episdoe for a multi-cam television series.
• By the end of this 6-week lab, you will have a completed a draft of your pilot episode for your multi-cam series that has been vetted by a professional in the industry.
• This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.
• **Eric Zimmerman will be available to you on email during the 6 sessions to answer any questions you have about your craft, career or project.**

Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information

Saturday September 30th 11:30am-1:30pm PT

Saturday October 7th 11:30am-1:30pm PT

Saturday October 14th 11:30am-1:30pm PT

Saturday October 21st 11:30am-1:30pm PT {One on Ones}

Saturday October 28th 11:30am-1:30pm PT

Saturday November 4th 11:30am-1:30pm PT {One on Ones}