Writing for SNL Fantasy Camp Ali Farahnakian

Tuition: $595
Prerequisite: None
Dates:
TBA
(1 week)

Location:
Simple Studios
134 W. 29th Street, btwn 6th/7th Ave, 2nd Floor
This class will simulate what a week as a writer for SNL is like, culminating in a live show at 11:30pm on Saturday night. The group will meet for the first time on Sunday, and on Monday have a pitch meeting with the “host” for the week. After the pitch meeting, the writers will go off and write their sketches. They are all due Wednesday at 10am. Wednesday afternoon there will be a read through of all the sketches with the guest host. That night, 12 sketches will be picked. On Thursday, the group will be divided in half and sketches will be rewritten at two tables all day. Friday, the sketches that have been picked will be rehearsed with our cast of performers and the guest host. Saturday, there will be a dress rehearsal of the show at 8:00pm and at 11:30pm on Saturday night, we go live.

 

To register for this class you must submit an application via email before payment, and admission is based on an evaluation of a short commercial parody sketch written in any basic television format. In order to apply, email your commercial parody along with a short description of sketch/television writing experience or training, to Classes@thepit-nyc.com. Please write “SNL Submission”in the subject line. 

Please note the day-to-day schedule of writers’ meetings below. This class is a week-long experience with long hours, both day and night; students who apply do so with the understanding that they must be available for the entire week to write, rewrite, produce and direct sketches. No exceptions. In staying true to the nature of writing for the show, not all sketches will be selected for the final dress rehearsal or performance. 

Sunday, 8-10pm (First meeting)

Monday, 7-10pm (Pitch Session with Producers, Head Writers, Host, Cast)

Tuesday, (Writing day)

Wednesday, (10am – sketches due; 2pm – read-through)

Thursday, (12pm – rewrite day)

Friday-Saturday, (12pm – Sketches produced and rehearsed all day)

Saturday, 8pm Dress Rehearsal/11:30pm “Live From The PIT, It’s Saturday Night!!”

NOTE: If you have previously taken any class at The PIT, this is class is $495 for you! Please indicate that in your email to us when you apply. 

PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE APPROVAL OF YOUR SKETCH. Spots in this class are available on a first-come first-served basis once sketches are submitted.

 

ALI REZA FARAHNAKIAN (SAG, AEA, WGA, AFTRA) studied extensively with Charna Halpern and Del Close in the 1990s at ImprovOlympic (IO). He was also a founding member of the UCB with whom he helped to create the critically acclaimed show Virtual Reality. At The Second City in Chicago he was part of the Jeff-nominated showThe Revelation Will Not Be Televised (dir. Jeff Richmond) for which he also received a Jeff nomination for Best Actor in a Revue. His one-man show Word of Mouth was an official selection to the US Comedy Arts Festival 2001 in Aspen. He was a writer on Saturday Night Live during its 25th anniversary season and received a Writers Guild Award nomination. He has worked on The Steppenwolf Mainstage in Chicago and BAM in Brooklyn. Television credits include all the Law and Order‘s,All My Children, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, 30 Rock (3x), Louie, Delocated,  He has been in many commercials, voice overs, films, 3 of which have gone to Sundance and one went to Cannes. In 2002 he founded The Peoples Improv Theater (aka The PIT). Spread the Word!

By Request

Thanks for letting us know you're interested in this class! The more demand we hear from folks, the sooner we'll try to post a new session! Please note: this does not promise you a spot in a future class. Email classes@thepit-nyc.com if you have a group of friends that would want to take a class together

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