Among the things they learned were:
The two “Reds” that all writers require are Red Vines and Red Bull.
There’s always a way to solve story structure. There is no way out of the parking structure.
Jane Espenson explained how new writers can use the new media to get discovered.
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| Ken Levine, Dan O'Shannon, Jane Espenson, David Isaacs |
Air conditioning is a good thing.
The pros and cons of gangbanging.
Servicing actors (not to be confused with gangbanging).
Dan O'Shannon (Executive Producer of MODERN FAMILY) listed the four things a writer needs to become successful.
Jokes are easy. Stories are hard.
Norm stories on CHEERS were particularly hard.
David Isaacs shared the secret of what makes a good pilot.
Savers.
The difference between men and women (besides that).When you’re finished eating the take-out Chinese food throw everything out. Immediately!
What shows to write for your spec.
What shows not to write for your spec. (hint: I hope you’re not too far along on that HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN.)
There's only so many things you can store in the front of your pants.
Runthrough etiquette.
The Volkswagen test.
How to handle network notes.
The FRIENDS lawsuit.
The smart way to write a dumb character.
Why a comedy writer should never wear a toupee or Hawaiian shirt (not that anyone should).
Ways to fix troubled scenes.
How to run a room.
How to get a laugh without a joke.
Common mistakes in spec scripts.
Tips on how to get an agent.
What's funny at 5:30 in the morning.
You don’t have to be the funniest person in the writing room to be the most valuable.
The laugh that took fifteen years to understand.
Should you send a spec of a show to that show?
Nothing goes better with Oreo Double-stuffs than beer.
The rule of threes.
The best book for learning how to be funny is Improv Comedy by Andy Goldberg.
… and finally -- 5-Hour Energy works!!! (Oh wait, it’s me who learned that.)
Thanks to Dan O’Day, David Isaacs, Jane Espenson, Dan O'Shannon, Andy Goldberg, Kimberly Wallis, Jeremy Licht, Annie Abrams, Annie Levine, Cliff Levine, Jonathan Emerson, the security manager who let me out of the parking structure, and especially the attendees for making Sitcom Room 5 such a great experience.
Get on our mailing list for next time.
A few of those attendees may comment. I'm holding my breath.
