Do you find that writing your half-hour comedy at a world-class level is more challenging than you thought? It's probably because you didn't start by generating a professional-level treatment before you began writing the script.  

A top-flight treatment is essential when crafting your half-hour comedy script. Between a gripping hook, memorable characters, and a cohesive setting, all packed into a tight 30 minutes, sitcom writers have a tall order to fulfill. Many writers are driven by a great concept, only to lose steam when it comes time to go to pilot, abandoning what could be the next watercooler hit. The solution? Write the treatment. Fleshing out a proper treatment that establishes what the show and world will be will save you time, frustration, and anxiety when you go to write your script.

In this Stage 32 exclusive webinar, you’ll walk through the process of how a professional sitcom writer creates a treatment by establishing the characters, their relationships, the style and tone, and the central conflicts, resulting in a better story and roadmap for your comedy.

Showing you how the pros tackle treatments is Michael Sokol, a screenwriter and producer whose pilot, TACO TUESDAY, was optioned by PopTV (SCHITT’S CREEK) and Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films. His other credits include CAKE for FXX, MANDY for SpectreVision, and executive producing the feature film POSTAL. Michael has also developed and produced content for Vh1, Comedy Central, Funny or Die, Comcast, Adult Swim, and more.

Whether you’re setting out to write your first sitcom pilot or your 20th, this webinar will show you a new way to look at creating a hilarious and compelling pilot. By putting in the time to create your treatment today, with a proven process from a professional, you can raise the odds that you’ll finish a great, fully realized half-hour comedy script.

Testimonials from Michael's previous Stage 32 Education:

"While incredibly knowledgeable in comedy and writing and structure in general, [Michael] is never trying to impose his own sensibilities on new writers. Instead, he has an innate sense for how to allow that writer to bring out their own sensibilities, even if they've never written a single page before" - Madison H.

"Michael is an incredible comedy teacher. Not because he’s hilarious and a really experienced writer, but because he’s such a good listener and mentor. He encouraged me to better understand my point of view and then up the ante on the funny based on that. And my work got so much better with every pass because of his methodology." - Loretta C.

Overview

• Why do you need a treatment
• What’s in a treatment
• Ways to practice writing a treatment
• Remember: There is always more than one way to skin a cat

The Key Elements

• A picture is worth a 1,000 words but so is a good title
• The importance of artwork
• The keys to a good logline (with examples)

The Personal Connection

• Tether the concept to you
• Infusing a strong perspective

Tone and Style

• Detailing the show’s comedic sensibility
• Determining your story conventions
• Using comparisons to paint the picture
• Exploring open-ended vs. close-ended

Synopsis

• Crafting a concise summary
• Using the main story thrusts
• Creating setting
• Introducing the ensemble

Characters

• Establishing a flawed protagonist
• Understanding inner wants, outer needs, and conflict/obstacles
• Creating a “family” dynamic
• Journaling ideas to generate well-rounded characters
• Crafting character bios

Episode Summary

• A long pilot description vs. multiple episodes
• The story wheel beats
• A and B stories

Q&A with Michael

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn learn the process of how a professional sitcom writer creates a treatment

All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the process of how a professional sitcom writer creates a treatment

Producers looking to learn the process of how a professional sitcom writer creates a treatment

Actors looking to learn the process of how a professional sitcom writer creates a treatment

“Michael is the kind of teacher who allows every individual’s voice to shine. While incredibly knowledgeable in comedy and writing and structure in general, he is never trying to impose his own sensibilities on new writers. Instead, he has an innate sense for how to allow that writer to bring out their own sensibilities, even if they've never written a single page before. I am the writer that I am because Michael encouraged me to be myself.” Madison Hatfield, Writer/Director (repped by The Gotham Group)

“Michael is an incredible comedy teacher. Not because he’s hilarious and a really experienced writer, but because he’s such a good listener and mentor. And he prides himself on that! During the class he encouraged me to better understand my point of view and then up the ante on the funny based on that. And my work got so much better with every pass because of his methodology.” Leanna Adams, Writer (repped by A3 Artists Agency)

"Michael was great. Had solid tips on treatment and story structure. " MB Stevens