The Second City Training Center is proud to launch its new TV, Film and Digital program offering students of all skill levels the opportunity to experience classes that focus on on-camera acting and improvising, writing, producing, and directing for TV, Film and the web. The program teaches students to better create their own films and videos all while learning about the filmmaking process and its industry. Registration information and class descriptions are available at www.secondcity.com/training/chicago.

The Second City Training Center has continued to develop an entirely unique way of creating and performing comedy since opening its doors in 1985; the TV, Film and Digital program continues that tradition with a curriculum fine-tuned to help students prepare for new and changing media within the comedy industry. The program is developed by Jack C. Newell, Head of the Second City Training Centers TV, Film and Digital program and whose work as a writer, producer, actor and director of award-winning films has screened at the Montréal World Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner and The Boston Film Festival.

“What’s really cool about this program is that we are offering current students as well as graduates of the program, the necessary skills to succeed in the film industry,” says Newell. “I believe the creation of this program is the moment we will look back on where things changed in filmed comedy. The Second City has the right history, resources, attitude, infrastructure, people, and foresight to imbue students with a better practical understanding of filmmaking as they make the adaptation from stage to screen as well as create a whole new category of improviser – one that is a filmmaker and improvisor.

Class Schedule:

Audition Workshop for Voiceover Actors: TBA

History of Comedy on Film: Mondays 7-10pm, June 23- Aug. 11, 2014

Intro to Writing for TV & Film: Fridays from 6-9 pm, June 27- Aug. 15, 2014

Introduction to Filmmaking: Thursdays 5-7pm, June 26-July 17, 2014

On-Camera Workshops with Matt Miller: TBA

Voiceover for Improvisers: Mondays 4-7pm, June 30-July 28, 2014

Writing for TV & Film: Sunday 6-9pm, June 29- Aug. 17, 2014

Writing the Sitcom Pilot: TBA

Writing with the Onion: Thursday 6-9pm, June 26- Aug. 14, 2014

The Second City is the leading brand in improv-based sketch comedy. With theaters and training centers in Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood, 11 full-time touring ensembles, thriving corporate communications and theatricals divisions as well as television and film operations, The Second City has been called “A Comedy Empire” by The New York Times. The Second City Training Center has a current student body of 3,500 per week and is the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the world.

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