Want to become a better comedy writer? We're detailing all three MasterClasses focused on comedy writing and performance from Steve Martin, Judd Apatow, and David Sedaris.


Steve Martin Teaches Comedy

Steve Martin teaches you everything from finding your comedic voice to nailing your act. The course starts with Steve recounting how he overcame a lack of talent to get into comedy, and how anyone can do the same and jumpstart their comedic journey. Learn how to gather material from experience, techniques for finding your voice and cultivating a comedic persona, ways to analyze comedy structures for maximum laughs, pacing and presentation techniques, escaping stage fright and presentation pitfalls, overcoming failure and competition, character creation techniques and process, case studies in screenwriting, and Steve's editing process for polishing material.

  • 25 Video Lessons – Watch, listen, and learn as Steve Martin shares wisdom from his five decades in comedy.
  • Class Workbook – A downloadable workbook accompanies the class with lesson recaps, assignments, and supplemental material.
  • Anytime, Anywhere – Learn on your own terms, at your own pace on mobile, desktop, or Apple TV.

Judd Apatow Teaches Comedy

Judd Apatow teaches you how to write, direct, produce, and perform comedy for film and television. This is not just a workshop on telling jokes, but a set of lessons and exercises that will surprise, challenge, and inspire the way you think and act on your comedy. Hear Judd break down the differences between performing comedy and writing it, collaborating with other writers and actors, overcoming writer's block, hitting lucky breaks, and structuring the technical side of your writing, directing, and pitching for success.

  • 32 Video Lessons – Learn Judd's creative process through case studies, scene deconstructions, and practical insight in 32 on-demand video lessons.
  • Class Workbook – A downloadable workbook accompanies the class with lesson recaps, assignments, and supplemental material.
  • Anytime, Anywhere – Learn on your own terms, at your own pace on mobile, desktop, or Apple TV.

David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor

David Sedaris teaches you how to turn everyday moments into seriously funny stories that connect with audiences. Whether you're just starting to put pen to paper or dream of being published, writing demands time, effort, and commitment to the craft. Award-winning essayist and humorist David Sedaris shows you how to sharpen your powers of observation, how to translate what you see, hear, and experience in the real world into memorable stories, and how to grow as a writer.

  • 14 Video Lessons – Celebrated essayist David Sedaris teaches his approach to writing and storytelling with meaning, from finding ideas to connecting through humor.
  • Class Workbook – A downloadable workbook with excerpts from David's diaries, tips for essay writing, and prompts to get your humor juices flowing.
  • Anytime, Anywhere – Learn on your own terms, at your own pace on mobile, desktop, or Apple TV.