British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Dave Cohen
Dave Cohen

Dave Cohen

  • English
  • Actor, writer, script editor, stand-up comedian and tutor

Dave Cohen features - page 2

Earth. Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay Pro

12 rules of life (and comedy writing)

Monday 23rd August 2021

Dave Cohen has been thinking a lot about life recently. If you're a comedy writer, you could gain something from following his conclusions.

Builders. Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay Pro

If you build it, they will read it

Tuesday 27th July 2021

Dave Cohen reports back on what's he's learnt from running a course designed to help you speed from nought to first draft in eight weeks flat.

Dave Cohen Pro

Can you write a sitcom from scratch in eight weeks? Yes you can!

Wednesday 17th March 2021

Dave Cohen reports back from what he's discovered in the process of running his Build A Sitcom online courses.

Dave Cohen Pro

Making A Scene Of It competition launches

Thursday 22nd October 2020

BCG Pro's Making A Scene Of It competition involves Dave Cohen judging individual scenes from sitcoms.

Jon Holmes Pro

How to write for Radio 4 show The Skewer

Tuesday 29th September 2020

Jon Holmes's extraordinary Radio 4 show The Skewer is back - and, as he explains in this interview, he's always on the lookout for new ideas and new writers. This feature included details on what they're looking for, and how to submit.

Dave Cohen Pro

Here is the news: you CAN make a living writing comedy

Thursday 18th June 2020

Dave Cohen writes about making a living from comedy writing, and the benefits of learning how to pen topical gags.

Image shows from L to R: Alan Simpson, Ray Galton Pro

Galton & Simpson Bursary: Who, what, how?

Monday 25th May 2020

Dave Cohen provides a thorough run-down of the BBC's Galton & Simpson Bursary: its requisites, entry requirements, and more.

Sitcom Geeks. Image shows from L to R: James Cary, Dave Cohen Pro

Sitcom Geeks script challenge results

Thursday 30th January 2020

Sitcom Geeks podcasters James Cary and Dave Cohen have announced the longlist for the Sitcom Script Challenge run in conjunction with BCG Pro.

Red Pen Pro

Fix the first 10 pages of your sitcom script

Friday 15th November 2019

Some advice for how to make sure the first ten pages of your sitcom script are as impressive as possible.

Script Editing Pro

Final thoughts before you press send

Thursday 14th November 2019

"I have a script which I don't think I can make good enough in time for a competition deadline, should I send it off anyway? Or keep working on it?"

Not Going Out. Image shows from L to R: Lee (Lee Mack), Lucy (Sally Bretton) Pro

Nine sitcom writing plotting points

Thursday 24th October 2019

Dave Cohen shares advice on the nine Ps of plotting sitcom episodes: plan, personal, proactive, point of no return, pendulum, peril, pathos, punchline and persist.

Steptoe And Son. Image shows from L to R: Harold Steptoe (Harry H. Corbett), Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell). Copyright: BBC Pro

A sitcom set is a character too

Friday 18th October 2019

Dave Cohen explains how a sitcom set can be a character in its own right.

Daniel Radcliffe. Copyright: Warner Pro

Harry Potter and the funny secondary characters

Thursday 17th October 2019

Through the works of JK Rowling, Dave Cohen explores the roles and importance of secondary characters.

The Reluctant Landlord. Romesh (Romesh Ranganathan). Copyright: What Larks Productions Pro

Rules to create great sitcom characters

Wednesday 16th October 2019

Are comedy writers putting in enough work when creating new characters? Dave Cohen looks at the art of character creation.

Peep Show. Image shows from L to R: Jeremy Usbourne (Robert Webb), Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell). Copyright: Objective Productions Pro

Two sides to every character

Tuesday 15th October 2019

Dave Cohen explains how coming up with key words to describe your characters can be very helpful.

Mid Morning Matters With Alan Partridge. Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions Pro

What Is Character?

Monday 14th October 2019

Dave Cohen takes a look at two comedy character types: The Monster and The Odd Couple.

The cast of the radio series. Copyright: BBC / Above The Title Productions Pro

Finding your comedy voice

Thursday 12th September 2019

Dave Cohen talks about why finding your comedy voice is important, but also how it is a hard thing to achieve.

Extras. Image shows from L to R: Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen), Andy Millman (Ricky Gervais), Darren Lamb (Stephen Merchant) Pro

I've got a great idea...

Wednesday 11th September 2019

Dave Cohen discusses how, when creating a sitcom, you need to decide what your show is about, and what it is really about. Also, you need to ask yourself why you're writing it, and why now.

Fawlty Towers. Image shows from L to R: Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), Sybil Fawlty (Prunella Scales). Copyright: BBC Pro

Sitcom scripts: 5 mistakes we all make

Monday 9th September 2019

A look at five unnecessary mistakes that comedy writers at every level in the profession make, all the time.

52 First Impressions With David Quantick. David Quantick. Copyright: Giddy Goat Productions Pro

How to make a living at comedy

Tuesday 9th April 2019

An hour-long podcast discussion based around the topics of juggling jobs, and earning enough money from comedy to allow you to give up your day job.

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