“Insert relevant quote here from someone famous”

We are all funny in our own way. But how can we make other people believe us?

Drawing on techniques from storytelling and comedy theory, this two-hour workshop is for aspiring and established writers of any medium -novelists, playwrights, screenwriters, filmmakers, poets, storytellers- interested in exploring comedy in their writing.

Analysing popular examples in film and television, award-winning scriptwriter Hugh Dichmont will guide learners through an exploration of their own comic voice, developing ways we can channel our unique take on the world into something others could (should?) find funny.

With open, friendly discussion and in-class creative exercises, this workshop delves into tried and tested techniques for planning and writing comic ideas and dialogue that has the explosive potential to split all sides within a 3-mile radius.

Throughout this 2-hour workshop, you will...

• Broaden our approaches to planning and developing narrative ideas through fun in-class exercises

• Experiment with tried-and-tested joke-writing techniques

• Compare diverse examples of popular televisual comedy that can inspire our creativity

• Unpick ways we can use everyday experiences to fuel comedic writing

• Explore the comic character, and their place in dramatic work

• Develop good habits for crafting joke-focused work, exploring how that can form part of a wider dramatic palette

• Find ways we can challenge ourselves as writers, to surprise our audience

• Write lots, with opportunities to share and discuss

About Hugh Dichmont

Hugh Dichmont is an award-winning scriptwriter and film-maker based in Nottingham. With a passion for comedy, his projects include The Future History of the British Isles, a dystopian sketch show for podcast and stage, The War On Terry (UK tour), Pareidolia (Catalyst Festival, London), and short plays at venues including Nottingham Playhouse, Theatre 503 and The Vaults.

Book your place

Tickets cost £12 for NWS members and £15 for general admission. Book your place, or to find out more about joining NWS, head to our membership page.

Access

This workshop will be delivered online via Zoom. Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service you can use to virtually meet with others - either by video or audio-only or both. A user manual containing access instructions and a link will be sent out to you before the workshop. You will need an internet connection, and a computer with either a built in camera or webcam, and a built-in microphone/speaker.