Learn how to tailor your comedy pilot for networks, cable, and streamers

Only 10 spots available! 3 Spots Remain!

Learn from a top literary manager whose projects have sold to Amazon, Netflix, and Amblin, earned Emmy nominations, and launch emerging writers straight onto the industry radar!

Payment plans available at checkout or email edu@stage32.com for more info!

The comedy world is electric right now with The Studio taking audiences by storm and proving that bold, character‑driven humor can dominate the conversation and become a cultural touchstone. In this exclusive Stage 32 lab you will learn how to craft a pilot that stands shoulder to shoulder with the comedy shows executives are clamoring for by strengthening your concept, developing unforgettable characters, building a story that balances laughs with heart, and tailoring your work to the tastes of networks and streaming platforms. You will walk away with a complete professional‑quality comedy pilot, a clear process you can use again and again, stronger instincts about what makes comedy land on the page, and the confidence to get your script read by decision makers!

Many writers find comedy pilots challenging because there are so many moving parts, but the process is completely manageable with the right guidance. You may have hilarious characters or a strong concept and want to make it shine in the right format. Maybe Act 2 needs more momentum, or you want your jokes to land more consistently. Writers also often want to learn how to tailor their pilot to a specific network or streamer and balance multiple storylines effectively. This lab tackles all of these challenges step by step, covering character development, world building, outlining, acts, and polishing so you always know exactly what to do next.

You will be guided by Spencer Robinson, a top literary and talent manager at Art/Work Entertainment with over a decade of experience shaping careers in television and film. Spencer has staffed writers across every major network and streaming platform and has sold original projects to companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Amblin. His clients have competed in bidding wars, earned Emmy nominations, and advanced to prestigious programs like the Sundance Episodic Lab. He has also discovered and signed writers directly through Stage 32 labs, helping them package projects with talent and financing. With his insider knowledge of exactly what decision makers are looking for, you will learn how to position your work to get noticed and taken seriously.

You will walk away from this exclusive Stage 32 lab with a fully polished comedy pilot, a repeatable roadmap for creating hits, razor-sharp instincts for what makes jokes and stories land, and the confidence to get your script read and taken seriously by the people who can make it happen!

This interactive Stage 32 lab is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with your Stage 32 Educator and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to them. You will have access to your Educator for the duration of your class by email to ask them any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!

TESTIMONIALS FROM SPENCER'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION:

"I cannot speak highly enough of Spencer Robinson. His lab was absolutely life-changing for me. Spencer's knowledge of the scriptwriting process and his first-hand insights into the industry were invaluable. Spencer has an uncanny ability to pinpoint issues with your script, and his notes really helped to elevate the story and characters of my TV Pilot. He is thoughtful, empathetic and understands the challenge of being a writer." - Emma S.

"Spencer will get those who are ready on their way to a kickass first draft that you can send for coverage, which is what I did. 2 Considers, and I'm in rewrites now to move that needle. This was my first ever TV pilot!" - Erika N.

"Had a great time learning and progressing my knowledge of the craft of writing and working directly with a mentor who is a professional in the industry. Spencer was fantastic to be taught by! Thank you!" - Natalie A.

"Spencer's teaching style is the best! His patience and easygoing approach is ideal and unique to him. Kudos to Stage 32 and to Spencer!" - Armando O.

PRE-CLASS PREP

Read your syllabus and decide on an idea for the comedy pilot you want to write. Do appropriate research about the world of your show.

Session #1– Introduction, Character, World

This week we will cover the syllabus, your instructor's background and experience, your goals for this six-week lab and launch into a discussion on creating strong characters for your pilot.

• The types of comedy pilots and how they differ from network to network
  • Single Camera and Multi-Camera comedies
• Character - what makes for strong characters and weaker ones
• Story engine - what is it and how to create it for your pilot
• How setting, tone, and character point-of-view affect your story
• How to build complex relationships and use them to propel a series
• Ensemble comedies vs star driven vehicles
• Q&A with Spencer

Assignment: Create a document with a detailed description on each of your series regular characters and an explanation of the world.

Session #2– Pilot Outline

This week we will break down pilot structure, plot and subplots.

• Different types of pilot structure
  
  • Varies depending on the type of comedy pilot (single-camera or multi-camera) and the network (broadcast, cable, streaming, digital, streamer  etc.)
• What kind of network or steamer should you target for your specific story idea?
  
  • And how to structure your pilot accordingly
• How to craft an effective storyline for your pilot
• Pacing
• Building and maintaining high stakes
• Creating jokes
• Act breaks
• Q&A with Spencer

Assignment: Complete an outline of your pilot episode. Spencer will read and provide you detailed notes.

Session #3– Act 1

This week we will focus on both the Single-Camera and Multi-Camera act structures.

• What are the qualities of effective (and ineffective) scenes, dialogue, and jokes?
  
  • Emphasis on teasers and Act 1
• The necessary story beats that exist in a comedy pilot
  
  • Traditional page count
  • Act breaks
• Q&A with Spencer

Assignment: Complete Act 1 of your pilot. Spencer will read and provide you detailed notes.

Session #4– Act 2

We will continue the discussion on both Single-Camera and Multi Camera act structures. We will talk about what makes up Act 2 of a pilot.

• Why most writers struggle in Act 2 and how you can overcome Act 2 issues
• Why it is important to maintain high stakes in Act 2 and how to do it
• Balancing B & C stories in Act 2
• Q&A with Spencer

Assignment: Complete Act 2 of your pilot. Spencer will read and provide you detailed notes.

Session #5– Act 3

We will continue the discussion on both Single-Camera and Multi Camera act structures. We will talk about what makes up Act 3 of a pilot. 

• What is a "tag" and what constitutes a good one? 
• Bringing your A, B & C stories to a close 
• How to wrap up your pilot to point forward to the rest of the season
• How to hook the viewer by the end of the pilot
• What are the next steps to take when your pilot is complete?
• Q&A with Spencer

Assignment: Complete a full draft of your pilot. Spencer will read your full pilot and you will have a one-on-one call with him the following week.

Session #6– Finished Pilot Consultation (one-on-one consultations - no online class)

You will have an in depth call or Zoom meeting with Spencer to go over notes on your entire pilot script.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• This is an intimate, in-depth, practical, and detailed class held on Zoom where you will be interacting with your instructor.

• This class consists of 6 sessions roughly two hours in duration and offers significantly more in-depth content than a standard Stage 32 webinar.

• ***Your instructor will be available on email during the entire duration of the lab to answer any questions you have about your project.***

• To stay motivated and inspired you will have access to a dedicated Stage 32 Lounge post where you can meet, connect and communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the class and beyond. Let Stage 32 help you find your tribe!

• Can't make it live? Don't worry, each session will be recorded and you can watch it on demand at your convenience. 

• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.

• Payment plans are available at checkout through Shop Pay

• Writers who have a comedy idea but need a clear, step-by-step path to turn it into a finished pilot

• Emerging and mid-level writers looking to break into TV or get staffed with a strong comedy sample

• Screenwriters transitioning into television who want to understand pilot structure, acts, and story engines

• Writers struggling with structure, pacing, or sustaining jokes and stakes across an entire episode

• Creatives who want direct feedback, accountability, and guidance from a working industry manager

• Anyone ready to commit to writing a full comedy pilot and take it to a professional, market-ready level

TESTIMONIALS FROM SPENCER'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION:

"I cannot speak highly enough of Spencer Robinson. His lab was absolutely life-changing for me. Spencer's knowledge of the scriptwriting process and his first-hand insights into the industry were invaluable. Spencer has an uncanny ability to pinpoint issues with your script, and his notes really helped to elevate the story and characters of my TV Pilot. He is thoughtful, empathetic and understands the challenge of being a writer." - Emma S.

"Spencer will get those who are ready on their way to a kickass first draft that you can send for coverage, which is what I did. 2 Considers, and I'm in rewrites now to move that needle. This was my first ever TV pilot!" - Erika N.

"Had a great time learning and progressing my knowledge of the craft of writing and working directly with a mentor who is a professional in the industry. Spencer was fantastic to be taught by! Thank you!" - Natalie A.

"Spencer's teaching style is the best! His patience and easygoing approach is ideal and unique to him. Kudos to Stage 32 and to Spencer!" - Armando O.