Writing for TV Comedy

The workshop, led by Ellie Austin and featuring Jordan Weiss, covers writing for TV comedy. Jordan shares her journey from creating Dollface as a writing sample to its production. She offers insights on breaking into the industry, honing a unique writing voice, and managing conflicts. Audience questions address ideal traits for TV roles, providing feedback in comedy, and finding mentors. The session emphasizes networking and the importance of collaboration in TV production.

What was the original purpose of Jordan Weiss's Dollface script?

• To create a long-running TV series

• To win a screenwriting competition

• To pitch directly to Hulu

• To serve as a writing sample for job applications

According to Jordan Weiss, what makes everyone's perspective unique?

• Their social status

• Their personal experiences

• Their educational background

• Their professional achievements

What is considered the most important trait for everyone on a TV or film set?

• Technical skills

• Collaborative spirit

• Leadership qualities

• Creative vision

What strategy did Jordan Weiss use to break into the entertainment industry?

• Cold emailing producers

• Submitting scripts to major studios

• Networking and internships

• Attending film festivals

How did Jordan Weiss initially practice writing before finding her unique voice?

• By creating spec scripts of existing shows

• By writing original pilots

• By collaborating with other writers

• By attending writing workshops

What is a key approach to giving feedback in a writer's room according to Jordan Weiss?

• Criticizing ideas directly

• Suggesting improvements constructively

• Ignoring ideas that don't work

• Focusing only on positive feedback

What does Jordan Weiss suggest is crucial for handling feedback and changes in writing?

• Changing the script entirely

• Avoiding feedback from others

• Sticking to the original script

• Being open to changes while knowing the core message

What is one way Jordan Weiss suggests older writers can gain attention from agents?

• Writing a viral blog

• Submitting to writing contests

• Networking at film festivals

• Cold calling agents

What does Jordan Weiss emphasize about the role of mentors in a writer's career?

• They should be famous writers

• They can be peers or slightly more experienced colleagues

• They must be from the same industry

• They should provide financial support

What does Jordan Weiss find most challenging about writing a feature film compared to TV?

• The need for a larger budget

• The requirement for more dialogue

• The complexity of character arcs

• The length of the script