Jim Mendrinos lectures and teaches writing in the NYC area.
Don't live in the NYC area? No problem.
Phone sessions
can be arranged. Stand-Up Comedy Classes
One on One Comedy Coaching
Please Note Occasionally Jim teaches stand-up workshops live, both in New York City, and in comedy clubs across America. Check out the NEWS PAGE to find when Jim will be teaching group classes in your area.Sketch Comedy Writing Want to write sketches? This 4 Week Workshop teaches the basics of structure, content, and character for comedy driven sketches. This workshop also shows you how to tailor your sketch across the mediums of TV, Film, Theater, and Radio. Film Writing Screenplay writing is one tough art form, standing alone as a unique and difficult medium to master. It is a character driven, story heavy medium, in which visuals drive the plot. Thinking visually requires people to "think outside the box," and makes the story flow in a stimulating and captivating manner. It is one of the hardest types of stories to write. This Six Week Workshop covers all the basics you will need to know to get you started in this medium. What makes a good story? How do I write within this visually driven format? How do I create characters? What makes a great script great? What plots and themes work best? What are the common mistakes new writers make and how can I avoid them? Through lecture, writing exercises, and critical feedback you will create a script worth filming. Sitcom Writing The spec script sitcom market is evolving. Gone are the days of the simple 3 cameras shoot. today's sitcom writers need to be able to adjust to a multitude of script and story styles. This Five Week Workshop Covers all the basics: Why people watch TV. Basic show types and genres. How to select your spec script show. How to analyze the current crop of shows. How to analyze the markets for your finished script. What makes something funny for television. How to break down your characters. How to use only a limited number of sets. The concept of "Return to Sameness." Plot, standard subplot, splintered subplot, feathered subplot, and the running gag. Basic format for your spec script. Character language. And the elements of a 22 minute story. Theater Writing Writing for the stage is a challenging, and rewarding way to express your dramatic idea. It has a particular depth that is unparalleled in film or television, while at the same time expressing complex stories that rival novels. This Five Week Workshop reviews all the basics of theater through detailed script review, and focuses on smoothing out the edges, and leaving you with a polished stage play. Developing the One-Person Show Want to Develop a One-Person Show to set you apart from the pack? Work one on one with Jim for an entire Eight Week Workshop, as you flesh out the concept, polish the script, and tailor the show to your unique performing gifts. Don't just have a show that's glorified stand-up, develop a fully realized one-person play! Script Coverage Think your script might be ready, but you're not sure? You need professional Script Coverage. Script Coverage is the standard 2 to 4 page report that most studios and agencies use to rate the quality of a script. You'll receive professional script coverage, and key recommendations for script improvement. In essence, you receive coverage, and script notes at the same time. Best of all it is available for any film, TV, or theatrical script regardless of genre. Script Doctoring Writer's Cheat Sheets
If you would like more information about the
classes or services mentioned on this page, contact Jim via e-mail: About the Teacher Jim Mendrinos is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing (Alpha Press). He has numerous production and writing credits for television, including "USA Presents: The Problem Child," "Hispanic-Americans—the New Frontier," a four-part documentary hosted by Jimmy Smits, "Thunderbox" (Litton Syndication), Sarah Hughes, A Life in Balance (NBC), Late Night With David Letterman, The Tonight Show, and The Joan Rivers Show. He is the creator of the sitcoms MAX, King's Castle, The Yuk Hut (option information on request), and creator/writer for Comedy USA TV (developed by Sony Pictures). His screenwriting credits include the feature length screenplays Revolutions, All For Passion, Civil Rights, and 7th Seal Broken, (option information on request) and the short films Subway Romance, and Poet's Cafe (reel on request). His theater credits include The Lighter Side of Death and The Yuk Hut (shown at the first New York Pilot Season). His shows have been produced at Surf Reality, The Westbeth Theater Center, and the Westbank Cafe in New York City. Currently his sketch film "Media Mayhem" is in production in NYC, and He performs stand-up regularly at the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, The Improv, and the Laugh Factory in New York City. |