Writing TV for Kids and Their Parents meets:

WEDNESDAYS 6PM-9PM
8 WEEKS
May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1
Instructor: Charity L. Miller
Price: $350

Children have ever-evolving, sophisticated palettes when it comes to media consumption. And since parents want to know EXACTLY what their children watch, many watch TV with their kids. Writing tv for kids shouldn’t be boring. Shows such as FAMILY REUNION, GOOD LUCK CHARLIE, MIRACULOUS, ON MY BLOCK, TEEN TITANS GO!, and ADVENTURE TIME exhibit that parents and kids can watch TV together and both will be entertained. However writing smart, creative television that does not pander or heavily lean one way is truly an art form.

In Writing TV for Kids and Their Parents, you will learn the art and balance of creating smart, funny, hybrid television that works for both parents and kids of all ages. At the end of the course, you will complete a first draft of an original half-hour live action pilot or 11-minute animated show. The class will use traditional elements of children’s comedy (education, jokes, physicality, moral structure) along with adult elements (emotional moments, high drama, and of course moral structure) to craft their writing. After brief lessons and lecture, students will present homework and use a traditional writers’ room approach. They will receive feedback and pitches, take notes, and listen to their work being read aloud by/from others. At the end of 8 weeks, Writing TV for Kids and Their Parents will help you craft a completed teleplay that is zero parts generic sitcom or cliched dramatic components both parents and kids can enjoy together.

Charity L. Miller is a multiple Emmy-nominated writer/director/producer of crap no one really cares about. Originally from everywhere-the-US-Army-stationed-her-parents, she now calls LA home. She’s improvised in Netflix’s Between Two Ferns the Movie (only one line). Sold shows to Disney (the Mickey Mouse one). And developed original programming for Imagine Entertainment (you know, like Ron Howard and Brian Grazer). She’s a working kids’ and family television writer (Raven’s Home, Family Reunion, Made by Maddie, Karma’s World, Bird and Squirrel, etc.). She also gets paid to write for awards shows (with like, celebrities and stuff). Theatre-wise, Charity’s written several critically-lauded sketch reviews (UCB’s Jesus Was Ashy, UCB Maude Team: The New Deal, iO West’s Period Panties, and Second City Hollywood’s THIS IS NOT A TAN!); but also wrote, produced, and/or directed other less-lauded stuff (like UCB’s Token, iO West’s Jet Jaguar, and 487 Second City Hollywood Premium Shows). In addition to all that other mess, she’s directed Maude Night (UCB’s house sketch teams) and directed and written for Legitimate Goddamn Theatre, and tons of other UCB main-stage shows. Her comedy training (The Ruby LA, Upright Citizens Brigade, Nerdist School, iO West, Second City Hollywood), master’s degree (FSU, KSU), and Shea-buttered Neo-soul leanings (Women’s Center for Creative Work) directly clash with her family’s southern roots, advanced knowledge of hashtags, and fixation on baby animals. She’s taught hundreds of workshops (Cartoon Network, Black Women Animate, Kickstand Comedy, etc.) and college and university-level writing classes (as a thankless adjunct professor). Charity’s been a finalist/official selection/winner of stand-up competitions (California’s Funniest Female), writing contests (like all of them), and short film competitions (SXSW). She was one of the surviving writers in the 2016 CBS Diversity Showcase (back when it was evil). In addition to sleeping, Charity co-hosts the dope AF stand-up show: Headscarves and Du-rags (HD Comedy) at The Ruby LA every month and performs with her improv troupe The Cabal every week.

Our classrooms are ADA compliant.

WEDNESDAYS 6PM-9PM

8 WEEKS

May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1

Price: $350

THIS CLASS MEETS ONLINE. BEFORE YOUR CLASS BEGINS, WE WILL SEND YOU INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LOG INTO OUR ONLINE CLASSROOM.

Refund Policy

• The Ruby LA has a no-refund policy on all classes and shows. If we need to cancel or re-schedule a class for any reason, you are entitled to take that class or classes equal to the admission price of that class. You may use your class credit for up to two years, after which time it expires.
• The Ruby LA reserves the right to replace a course instructor, without notice, and at any time, with another equally qualified course instructor.
• The Ruby LA also reserves the right to postpone or cancel a course if an emergency or unforeseen conflict arises. In the event of a complete cancellation, students’ tuition will be refunded or credited. Any fees incurred by students for travel, lodging, etc. will not be reimbursed by the Ruby LA.
• Speech to text or ASL interpreter available upon request.