How to Write Funny, Compelling Dialogue that Doesn't Suck

SCRIPT X 464.11E

Learn how masterful screenwriters put realistic words into their characters’ mouths in this course dedicated to the art and craft of dialogue.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE
Live Online
Starting at $720.00
As few as 10 weeks
3.0

What you can learn.

  • Study how the moral premise of your story feeds into comedic opportunities
  • Turn life experience into funny dialogue that resonates in your script
  • Employ effective editing techniques to ensure only the best lines survive
  • Identify dialogue pitfalls and learn to avoid them

About this course:

Great, funny, compelling dialogue is easier than you think. It comes when you focus on one single thing: your moral premise. There’s a vice and a virtue ready to argue with each other, and funny lines arrive when you see the strengths and weaknesses in your argument. In this workshop, you learn how screenplay structure can be dialogue’s best friend, how to write great dialogue by drawing from your worst life moments, and how to be a ruthless editor. You also learn how to avoid dialogue pitfalls like wordiness, clunkiness, ambivalence, and wishy-washiness. By the end of the course, you write dialogue that cracks like a whip.

Winter 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Tuesday 4:00PM - 7:00PM PT
Available
See Details
Instructor: Michael Jann
401080
Fee:
$720.00
Live Onlineformat icon
Location: Remote Classroom
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 21, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Tue Jan 7, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Tue Jan 14, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Tue Jan 21, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Tue Jan 28, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Tue Feb 4, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Tue Feb 11, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Tue Feb 18, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Tue Feb 25, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Tue Mar 4, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Tue Mar 11, 2025
4:00PM PT - 7:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning

Contact Us

Speak to a student advisor. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
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