The National Institute of Dramatic Art and Tisch School of the Arts at New York University have launched an exciting new partnership where students from both schools work together to create original TV comedy.
This unique project is the first time these two leading institutions have worked together. A select group of NYU Tisch students have travelled to Australia to spendfour monthsexploring writing, directing and creating TV sitcoms, sketch-coms and comedy web series.
With guidance from some of the best Australian comedy writers, NYU Tisch studentsaredeveloping original material for NIDA Acting students and will then produce and direct a range of comedy works under the leadership of NIDA’s Head of Screen, Di Drew.
Di Drew confirms that the project will give NIDA actors the valuable experience of an international collaboration with their creative peers from NYU, and an opportunity to explore the cultural context of comedy and how it translates to the global market.
“In Australia, we have a strong history of using comedy as commentary on contemporary issues, everything from politics to gender equality for Australian comedians no topic is sacred,” comments Drew.
“This is a great opportunity for the NYU Tisch students to try their hand at writing and creating comedy and will give NIDA students a valuable insight into the US film and TV sector.”
Associate Professor, Film and Television and Chair of Study Away at NYU Tisch, Paul Thompson said they are pleasedto beworking with NIDA and its students to see what ideas arise from the project.
“Both Australia and the United States have a strong tradition of comedy so we are looking forward to seeing what happens when we combine the students’ ideas,” commented Mr Thompson.
“In addition to students applying and honing their TV production skills, this project will explore the culture and history of screen comedy, from satire to sitcom.”
The partnership is an extension of NYU’s collaboration with other leading performing arts training and education schools around the world and was initiated by Paul Thompson and Annie Stanton, NYU Tisch Executive Director.
The students arrived at NIDA on 21 March for technical production workshops and begin working on their pilots with NIDA students from 20 April.
