Acting & Performing Arts

Film & TV

Boost Your Film Editing Skills

Develop Comedy & Improv Skills

Develop Iconic Cinematic Characters

Overcome Stage Fright & Gain Confidence

Pitch & Write Stories for Film & TV

Techniques for Directing Your Movie

Teaches Comedy

Judd Apatow

Meet your new instructor: writer, director, producer, and stand-up extraordinaire Judd Apatow. In your first lesson, Judd tells you what you’ll learn, why he’s teaching, and why we need comedy now more than ever.

1. Introduction

Introduction

Judd shares stories and lessons from a lifetime in comedy. Hear how he fell in love with comedy, interviewed his childhood idols, and went from washing dishes to making Hollywood hits.

2. Judd's Journey

Judd's Journey

When it comes to stand-up comedy, Judd's thesis is simple: the more personal you get, the funnier you'll be. Learn how to find, develop, and refine gut-busting stand-up material based on your own experiences.

3. Writing Stand-Up Comedy

Writing Stand-Up Comedy

Don't let nerves or inexperience stop you from getting up on stage. Judd educates you on how to work the crowd, overcome stage fright, and find value in every performance.

4. Performing Stand-Up Comedy

Performing Stand-Up Comedy

Many of Judd's most hilarious and heartfelt stories are based on his own experiences—but real life is just one ingredient. Judd offers guidance on how to examine your life, identify humorous moments, and use them as jumping off points for comedic stories.

5. Developing Life Into Story

Developing Life Into Story

After taking a detailed look at two projects that are based on real experiences, Judd shares valuable lessons on how to create stories that are hilarious, relatable, and engaging.

6. Case Studies: Developing Life Into Story

Case Studies: Developing Life Into Story

Judd believes that when you write, you should look at your comedies as dramas. In this lesson he shares the tools he uses to infuse heart and humor into everything he does.

7. Crafting Comedic Storylines

Crafting Comedic Storylines

Judd reveals how he cracked the code on story structure and shares the basic template that he uses for many of his projects.

8. Structuring Films, Part 1

Structuring Films, Part 1

Judd teaches you how to make the most out of your opening scenes and utilize "set pieces" for maximum comedic effect.

9. Structuring Films, Part 2

Structuring Films, Part 2

Judd shares his step-by-step process for brainstorming scene ideas, creating an outline, and setting reasonable writing goals for a first draft.

10. Writing Process: First Draft

Writing Process: First Draft

The prospect of filling the blank page is scary—even for Judd. Learn Judd's personal habits for finding his flow and allowing his creative mind to take the reins.

11. Writing Habits

Writing Habits

Amazing characters are at the heart of any great comedy. Judd reveals a secret weapon that he uses when he's looking for character inspiration. Plus, he teaches you how to craft compelling, authentic, and funny characters through psychology, ego, and emotion.

12. Character, Part 1

Character, Part 1

Learn how to milk the most humor out of your characters through carefully designed dynamics and strong presence.

13. Character, Part 2

Character, Part 2

A joke always works better when it is true to character. Learn how to use your characters’ desires, insecurities, and personalities to craft realistic, funny dialogue.

14. Dialogue

Dialogue

Writing an entire season of television can be a daunting task. Judd gives you guidance on how to familiarize yourself with writing for this unique format, plus insight into how he and his collaborators plan a full-season arc.

15. Tips for Writing Television

Tips for Writing Television

Collaboration is an essential aspect of Judd's creative process. Learn how you can use input from peers and friends to take your projects to the next level.

16. Workshopping Scripts, Part 1

Workshopping Scripts, Part 1

Everything in screenwriting is about rewriting. Judd examines the fundamental role that rewrites have played in his projects and how he refines his work until the picture is locked.

17. Workshopping Scripts, Part 2

Workshopping Scripts, Part 2

Casting is key in bringing a character to life. Judd explains his process for finding the right actors and conducting auditions in a way that encourages improvisation and collaboration.

18. Casting

Casting

Judd discusses his guiding principles for working with actors and lays out the methods he uses to help them give their best performances.

19. Working With Actors

Working With Actors

Learn how to knock 'em dead in your next audition. Judd explains the essential dos and don'ts for actors who are trying out for roles.

20. Advice for Actors

Advice for Actors

When you're making a comedy, it's all about establishing and maintaining your tone. In this lesson, Judd examines this crucial component of filmmaking and describes the steps you should take to communicate your creative vision with your collaborators.

21. Directing: Tone

Directing: Tone

There is no reason not to make something. Judd demystifies the process of directing, explains how he taught himself filmmaking, and provides rules for always capturing the content you need.

22. Directing: Shooting Comedy

Directing: Shooting Comedy

From budgets to scheduling to managing a crew, Judd discusses important aspects of filmmaking and offers advice on how to tackle each.

23. Directing: Production

Directing: Production

Using some of his favorite scenes as teaching tools, Judd reveals how he uses improvisation to capture hilarious and authentic human interactions between his actors.

24. Case Studies: Improvisation

Case Studies: Improvisation

A lot can change between the script and the screen. In this lesson, Judd takes a detailed look at a scene fromKnocked Upand shows how he and his actors brought his words to life. (Bonus: You also get his Seth Rogen impression.)

25. The Evolution of a Scene: Knocked Up

The Evolution of a Scene: Knocked Up

Judd shares some words to live by for editing films and illustrates how you can use the testing process to make your projects as strong and funny as possible.

26. Editing and Testing Films, Part 1

Editing and Testing Films, Part 1

Judd dives deeper on how to improve your projects through testing and provides some expert tips on how to squeeze extra humor out of your scenes.

27. Editing and Testing Films, Part 2

Editing and Testing Films, Part 2

A bad score can ruin a movie. Learn some of the common pitfalls of music in comedy and how to avoid them.

28. Music in Comedy

Music in Comedy

Everybody has to pitch, even Judd Apatow. Judd discusses what he is looking for when he is listening to pitches, as well the techniques that he personally uses when trying to sell a new project.

29. Pitching

Pitching

Show business is a competition. In this lesson Judd explains the things that you can do to stand out and excel in this demanding industry.

30. Succeeding in Show Business

Succeeding in Show Business

Judd provides some words of wisdom and inspiration for those pursuing a life in comedy.

31. A Life in Comedy

A Life in Comedy

Judd ends his class with some parting advice: Take a risk, find the courage to express yourself, and start writing jokes—because he’s not going to write them for you.

32. Closing

Closing

Judd Apatow Teaches Comedy

variant_1

Enjoy 7 days free

The promo may be over, but your opportunity isn't. Dive into the full experience, worry-free, with our 7-day money-back guarantee.

The offer has ended

Amount charged now

Your 7-day free trial starts today

Proof you've trained with the world's best

Leadership and Decision Making Under Pressure

Get this certificate.

Proof you’ve learned from the best.

Steven Johnson

Nichol Bradford

Conor Grennan

Don Allen Stevenson III

Allie K. Miller

Manuel Sainsily

Pre-enroll now to save 20% on this AI Leadership course from Microsoft.

Pre-enroll and save 20% on this AI leadership course from Microsoft.

msft-preenrollment

Pre-enroll now to save 30% on this AI Strategy course from NVIDIA.

Pre-enroll and save 30% on this AI Strategy course from NVIDIA. 

nvidia-preenrollment

From TIME ©2022 TIME USA LLC. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Times

Wirecutter

Reviewed - USA Today

Editing and Testing Films

Scripting Your Own Success

Mindy Kaling

Teaches Creativity and Film

David Lynch

David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film

Teaches Ballet Technique and Artistry

Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland Teaches Ballet Technique and Artistry

Reframe Your Thinking

Ava DuVernay

Marques Brownlee

Make Compelling Videos That Go Viral

Teaches Music for Film

Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman Teaches Music for Film

Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Spike Lee

Spike Lee Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Prepare to Be Unprepared

Amy Poehler

Mira Nair

Mira Nair Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Teaches Acting

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren Teaches Acting

Teach Developing an Original TV Series

The Duffer Brothers

The Duffer Brothers Teach Developing an Original TV Series

Teaches Filmmaking

Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Storytelling and Humor

David Sedaris

David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor

James Cameron

James Cameron Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Gymnastics Fundamentals

Simone Biles

Simone Biles Teaches Gymnastics Fundamentals

Teaches Screenwriting

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Directing

Ron Howard

Ron Howard Teaches Directing

Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Ken Burns

Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Teaches Writing for Television

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Modeling Fundamentals

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell Teaches Modeling Fundamentals

Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Parris Goebel

Parris Goebel Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting

Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Issa Rae

Issa Rae Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Teaches the Power of Storytelling 

LeVar Burton Teaches the Power of Storytelling

Menu

Best For People Who:

Best For People Who:

Skills You'll Learn

Download