The Complete Comedy Writer by Dave Cohen is available from https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BLZXRG5G
We are unable to give refunds.
- Writing
- Online
- £99
- Next: Monday 3 February
Course leader
Dave Cohen"The course was excellent!!! – putting aside the credits on Breaking The News which was an unexpected bonus, I really learnt about crafting jokes and the routine of producing them" Joanne Cunningham
There are many ways to start making a living at comedy writing, but nothing gets you noticed faster than being able to write topical jokes.
Top writers including Simon Blackwell (Veep, Back, Private Life of David Copperfield), Mark Burton (Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit) and Georgia Pritchett (Succession, The Thick Of It) all began their careers this way.
Over the last couple of years a number of great opportunities have opened for new writers. Breaking The News, BBC Scotland’s topical show that runs for 30 weeks a year is now open for material from writers with no previous credits.
And fabulous, multi-award winning The Skewer will be on Radio 4 for at least 15 weeks a year. Here’s what producer, creator and all-round topical comedy genius Jon Holmes has to say: “Nothing has made me prouder than being able to bring new writers into comedy.”
THIS COURSE IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR FIRST BROADCAST WRITING CREDITS.
SINCE STARTING THIS COURSE IN 2021 WE HAVE NOW HELPED MORE THAN 30 WRITERS ACHIEVE THEIR FIRST BBC RADIO WRITING CREDIT.
And since October 2024 BTN has been shown on TV - so now you can pick up TV credits as well!
Send your work to us ahead of the deadline and we'll give you feedback about how to make them a better fit for the shows.
And we'll be there, week in week out, to make sure you keep coming back with more.
“Work ethic is something I’ve struggled with in the past. I was a massive procrastinator. Doing the course with you both taught me that the only way to get on is to just f**king do it and put the work in. Which sounds silly but by doing that, I got the most fun out of it too!” Duncan Ladkin
Be warned - it's a lot of work! But the credits are worth it. For Breaking The News, you'll want to have time available between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning. And The Skewer will eat into chunks of your weekend.
Dan Sweryt has become a regular contributor to both shows. When he first heard The Skewer he couldn’t imagine he could write for it, but, he says “You can! Also it’s multiple award-winning and who doesn’t want to write for a multiple award-winning show?”
Ellie Hayward took Dave and Dan's course in 2021. After scoring a string of credits herself, she's helping us bring new writers forward.
The course was initially set up by Dave Cohen and has been run by Dan and Ellie since the summer of 2024, and continues to deliver first BBC writing credits to new writers.
“It was absolutely brilliant in every way. I ended up with writing credits on two shows which was a huge confidence boost and gave my writing career a valuable breakthrough. Worth the money many times over. Plus they were super supportive and encouraging, and gave really useful expert feedback. Your gag writing will improve whatever level you’re at. Fantastic and highly recommended.” Alice Bright (credited on both shows)
You don’t have to be a news nerd, but it helps. While that matters, the most important skills are learning how to get into THE ROUTINE and THE HABIT of writing topical. And how to REWRITE your jokes.
Interested? It’s £150 inclusive. This is a small course so places are strictly limited. EARLY BIRD Sign up by 5 January 2005 for just £99
“The course and feedback on gags has been brilliant” Uttom Chowdhury (credited on both shows)
STOP PRESS 1: Alice and Uttom wrote for the 2024 BAFTA nominated Skewer TV pilot and are now therefore BAFTA NOMINATED COMEDY WRITERS
STOP PRESS 2: Jessica Aytac and Victoria Barker achieved 4 credits on the first Breaking The News series of 2024 and became Lead Writers for an episode in October 2024