麻豆约拍

Chris Anastasi reports back about taking part in this year's Comedy Room writer development group, which has shaped up to be a rather different experience than he had expected...

In this post lockdown, current lockdown, tiers 1 to 85, world, where the new going out is online and the new staying in is just bed - I was lucky enough to be selected for this year’s 麻豆约拍 Writersroom Comedy Room development group. An opportunity that comes up once in a blue moon (if I knew what blue moons were and if what they were is something that comes once a year, roughly around spring).

Thanks to the chaotic nature of the universe, this year’s Comedy Room has been held entirely over everyone’s new favourite friend, Zoom. While this may sound like a diminished version of the usual Comedy Room, where the comedy writers of the future roll up to the Big British Castle in their best tweed, it’s actually been extremely engaging. Thanks to the hard work of Amanda and Simon who run the Comedy Room and now parts of our scheduled lives, none of us feel like we’re missing anything other than the chance to brush shoulders with Fiona Bruce or lick the coffee stain Graham Chapman once left on an old office chair.

Each of our course’s guest teachers/speakers (not sure what to call them… speechers?) has embraced the new way of working and allowed us into their living rooms, bedrooms and sometimes linen closets, to deliver incredible insight and education in the ancient art of writing comedy. But it’s not all just fun and jokes with a group of young and other up-and-comers chomping at the bit to deliver the next Fleabag (even though it kinda is), no, there is also an incredible amount of insight into the aspects of writing comedy that aren’t just coming up with keen observations on the sheer amount of avocados we buy. From the writing process to the structure of film and television, we are being given the tools to become professionals, so we no longer have to bore friends with our latest TV show concepts in between pints of Liebfraumilch.

One example is our full day session with legend of the business, , whose list of credentials is as long as that mole hair on the back of my arm that I forgot to pluck. You may know him from his work on the screen or from his bestselling book on screenwriting ‘Into the Woods’ (I highly recommend it). He was incredibly warm and welcoming before taking us by the digital hand, onto a guided tour through story structure on the backlot of showbiz.

Even though I have read his book, which covers the same points, I still had a lot of questions and there was nothing like a first hand deep dive from the author… Into the Woods. As well as listening and learning, we were set tasks throughout the day, putting it all into practice, unlike my belief that I’ll get fit just by watching YouTube videos of someone doing squat thrusts while pushing spoonfuls of butter into my face.

So far, it’s been brilliant. Truly it has, no joke… well, lots of jokes but only the kind that you can get paid for. Which is the point! Right? Other than this random collection of consonants and vowels, I cannot express enough how invaluable this opportunity has been so far. Coming from a background in writing for film and dreaming of a future in TV, I know this has been a huge step toward that goal.

Sadly this is the last in a long line of 麻豆约拍 Writersroom Comedy Rooms and I feel honoured to be closing the proverbial curtain on that stage. However, the show ain’t over and the headliner’s about to hit the stage as the 麻豆约拍 launches the brand new 麻豆约拍 Comedy Association, which will be dedicated to creating even more opportunities across the rich landscape of funny people throughout Britain. So sharpen your joke pencils, lacquer your one-liners and get ready to join us in the home of comedy.

Find out more about the 麻豆约拍 Writersroom's Comedy Room

The 麻豆约拍 Comedy Association - More details on the 麻豆约拍 Commissioning website

See John Yorke's 10 Questions that every writer should ask of their story