It's that time of year again

This is the weekend for my annual SITCOM ROOM seminar. Twenty lucky participants will be split into four “rooms” of five and experience exactly what it’s really like to be on a comedy writing staff. They’ll fix a script, eat way too much junk food, and either form deep bonds or kill each other. They’ll learn a lot, laugh a lot, and sleep very little. They’ll see their work performed by professional working actors, and they’ll discover talents they didn’t even know they had.

This will be the 7th SITCOM ROOM I’ve staged. Proud to say that some alums are now in the business, working on such shows as NURSE JACKIE. And a number of attendees from overseas are now doing well in their home countries. To think – I may have had a hand in some good jokes being seen on Australian and German TV (not the same jokes I'm sure).

I only do this once a year because it’s a big undertaking. Lots of preparation goes into it, and the weekend itself is very intense. But it’s great fun for me, and I love the idea of a writing class that is both hands-on and unique from any other.

I have shifted venues this year. Former students will recall THE SITCOM ROOM was held for a number of years at the LAX Hilton. But we found that there tended to be distractions – like a Japanese anime convention with hundreds of people in costume, and a porn convention. One of our groups was trying to re-write their scene while a porno movie was being made in the next room. So they really got to experience what it’s like to be in a film studio late at night.

This year we’re at the LAX Embassy Suites. If there’s a convention it’s insurance salesmen or the like so very little chance they’ll be dressing up…or down.

More reports next week. Next year I hope to see you here.