UCLA Extension Writers Program

Public Syllabus
Note to students: this public syllabus is designed to
give you a glimpse into this course and instructor. If you
have further questions about our courses or curriculum,
please contact the Writers Program at (310) 825-9415 or
via email at writers@uclaextension.edu. We are happy to answer
any questions and to help you find the best class to
achieve your writing goals.
WRITING THE ROMANTIC COMEDY
Instructor: Billy Mernit
This is a 10 session course for the student who wants to write a
romantic comedy, whether the movie exists as a mere notion or
a draft-in-progress. We explore the form and its craft through history,
analysis and in-class exercises. Student pages will be presented for
class discussion in the home stretch; our goal is to be well into the
first draft by the course's end.
1ST WEEK:
1)

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

Course syllabus

2)

STORY COMPONENTS Review

What are the necessary elements for a good screenplay?

3)

DEFINING ROMANTIC COMEDY: What is it?

SCREENING CLIPS: ROM-COM HISTORY
In an overview spanning from the silent era to the present day,
the genre's characteristics are defined and discussed

4)

ASSIGNMENTS: The Core Films & Student Reports

Homework: Write a brief "pitch" for your project

2ND WEEK:
1)

STUDENT PROJECTS
Pitches presentation

2)

DEVELOPING STORY CONCEPT

Reviewing Character, Structure & Theme

3)

WRITING EXERCISE
Making it personal

4)

SUB-GENRES & CROSS-GENRES

Exploring romantic comedy forms

Homework: View TOOTSIE

Revise/Expand your pitch
3RD WEEK:
1)

CHARACTER
SCREENING CLIPS: ROM-COM CHARACTERS
Leads & Supports and how they function

2)

CASE STUDY: Discussion of TOOTSIE

3)

WRITING EXERCISE
Defining your protagonist
Homework: WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
Write Character Q & A

4TH WEEK:
1)

CASE STUDY:
Discussion of WHEN HARRY MET SALLY

2)

THEME Discussion

3)

WRITING EXERCISE
Defining your "theme"
Homework: View 40 YEAR-OLD VIRGIN
Revise Pitch/Outline; Begin Draft

5TH WEEK:
1)

STRUCTURING CONFLICT
Developing plot from character.

2)

THE "FORMULA"
SCREENING CLIPS: 7 ROM-COM BEATS
Standard genre plot moves and how to tweak them.

3)

CASE STUDY:
Discussion of 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN
Homework: Work on your outline, view ANNIE HALL
Bring in a brief dialogue scene from your project

6TH WEEK:
1)

DIALOGUE / IMAGERY
Student scenes presented and discussed

2)

CASE STUDY:
Discussion of ANNIE HALL

3)

SCREENPLAY CRAFT: Writing Visually

World--Setting, Atmosphere and Tone
Homework: Continue Draft
View [CONTEMPORARY ROM-COM]

7TH WEEK:
1)

THE ART OF FUNNY

SCREENING CLIPS: Comedy Craft
Comedy DIALOGUE and IMAGE

2)

CASE STUDY
[CONTEMPORARY ROM-COM] Discussion

3)

CREDIBILITY
(Screenplay excerpt examples)
Homework: Work on your Act One

8TH WEEK:
1)

BEING SEXY
SCREENING CLIPS: Intimacy
Before, During and After

2)

STUDENT PROJECTS
Presentation of Pages

3)

Homework: Continue Draft

View CURRENT MOVIE T.B.A.

9TH WEEK:
1)

STUDENT PROJECTS
Presentation of Pages

2)

CURRENT MOVIES Discussion

3)

REVISION
Writing-Is-Rewriting Discussion
Homework: Continue Draft

10TH WEEK:
1)

SCREENPLAY CRAFT:
The 1st 10 Pages & The Reader Friendly Draft

2)

STUDENT PROJECTS
Presentation of Pages

3)

WRAP-UP
Checklist
Approaching the Market

Required Viewing:
TOOTSIE
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
ANNIE HALL
40 YEAR-OLD VIRGIN
[CURRENT MOVIE T.B.A.]

These 5 movies will be the basis for class discussions. Viewing

them is required of all students; students taking this course for
credit will give brief verbal reports on assigned films.