Event Starts In
LIVE 3-HOUR INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP
Punching Up With Michael Jamin: Make Your Scripts & Stories Funnier
A one-time, 3-hour live Zoom workshop on the craft of joke writing. The August workshop completely sold out. We’re bringing it back on Saturday, April 11 at 10:00 AM Pacific—live only, no replay.Understand the DNA of funny so you know why some lines kill and others die
Build a joke toolbox you can use on your scripts, essays, and stories
Watch jokes get punched up in real time so you can copy the process
Saturday, April 11th, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern
Limited Zoom workshop. Seats capped to keep it interactive. No recording— Live Attendance Only.
"I had no benchmarks or idea what was good, bad, or ugly about writing jokes. Now I know. I also didn't realize that a joke can be replaceable in a script. That was an eye-opener!"
From The Writer Of All These Hit Shows
The Details
What Your Ticket Includes
Live 3-hour Zoom Joke Writing workshop with Michael Jamin
Q&A and live joke “hot seats” (as time allows)
Downloadable workbook so you can keep using the tools after the session
Saturday, April 11th, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in your writing, this is it.
Tickets $147
This Event Goes Live In
Saturday, April 11th, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern
You've written a scene. You know it's supposed to be funny, but the jokes feel flat. The dialogue is functional, but it doesn't sing. You read scripts from professional writers and wonder, "How do they do that? How do they make it look so easy?"
You're not alone. The difference between "good" and "great" writing isn't magic—it's a set of professional techniques that are rarely taught outside of a real TV writers' room.
Punching Up With Michael Jamin
In this deep-dive, 3-hour session, you will learn how a professional writer crafts jokes.
When: Saturday, April 11th, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern I will cover:
Hour 1: The DNA of Funny
Understanding the "Quantum Leap": Learn why the funniest jokes skip a step, taking the audience from point A to C without going through B. You’ll learn how to create these surprising, yet logical, connections.
The Power of Premise: Discover why a funny story premise is more important than a handful of great jokes. Michael will show you how to build a comedic engine that works for your entire script.
Pitching Psychology: Master the unspoken rules of pitching jokes in a writers' room. You'll learn how to present your ideas with confidence and how to bounce back when a joke doesn’t land.
The Three Pillars of a Joke: Get introduced to Michael's joke-writing grading system and understand how the best jokes come from character, not from clever wordplay.
Hour 2: The Writer's Toolbox
Jokes from Character: Learn how to dial up a character’s unique traits to create jokes that only they could say.
The Rule of 3 & Specificity: Discover how to use a classic comedy device and why adding specific details to a joke makes it ten times funnier. You’ll learn how to turn general observations into laugh-out-loud moments.
The Art of "The Flip": This simple tool will add a layer of surprise and irony to your scenes.
What to Avoid: Michael will show you what jokes to avoid at all costs.
Hour 3: The Pitch & The Practice
Deconstructing a Great Joke: Michael will break down clips from popular shows like King of the Hill, Just Shoot Me, and Rules of Engagement to show you how a joke is built and why it works.
Building a Joke: Learn about "steam theory" and the value of "callbacks" and "conceits" to layer your humor.
Michael's Personal Process: Get a deep dive into Michael's unique process, from "Black & White Thinking" to finding jokes by looking for the "Easter Eggs."
Hands-On Practice: The workshop concludes with interactive pitching and writing exercises. You will use the tools you've learned to write and pitch your own jokes and get feedback in a supportive, creative environment.
The Details
What Your Ticket Includes
Live 3-hour Zoom Joke Writing workshop with Michael Jamin
Q&A and live joke “hot seats” (as time allows)
Downloadable workbook so you can keep using the tools after the session
Saturday, April 11th, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in your writing, this is it.
Tickets $147
This Event Goes Live In
Saturday, April 11th, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern
No Hype Guarantee
Punching Up is a live, working session—not a fluff “inspiration talk.” If you show up live, stay for the full 3 hours, take notes, and participate when asked you will approach comedy in a whole new light. If you honestly feel you didn’t get tools you can use to make your scripts and stories funnier, email my team within 24 hours and we’ll refund your ticket.I can’t promise you’ll suddenly become the funniest writer in the room. I can promise to show you the same joke-writing principles and punch-up process I’ve used in writers’ rooms for years.
This guarantee covers the workshop itself and your learning experience—not specific career outcomes. I can’t promise you’ll sell a show or get staffed. I can promise to teach you the tools I’ve used to make a living as a comedy writer for almost three decades.
FAQs
Common Questions
Q: Will there be a replay or recording?
A: No. This run of Punching Up is live only. There will be no replay or recording sold afterward. If you want the material, you need to be there in the Zoom room on the date of the workshop.Q: What if I buy a ticket but can’t make it live?
A: This is a live workshop with limited seats. If you can't make it at the last minute, we can't resell your ticket. If you’re not reasonably sure you can attend at the scheduled time, it’s better to skip this round.Q: Who is this workshop for?
Punching Up isn't just for aspiring comedy writers. It's for anyone who wants to add humor to their writing. This includes:- Drama writers who want to add a little levity to their stories
- Anyone delivering a speech to a conference, boardroom, or classroom
- Stand-up comedians
- Creators who post publicly
Q: Will this workshop make me funny?
I can only guarantee that this workshop will make you FUNNIER. Whatever level you're currently at, I can help you improve. I can also assure you that being more comfortable wielding humor will bring more joy to your life.Q: Will I get personal feedback on my jokes or pages?
This is a group workshop, not a one-on-one consult. I’ll do live punch-ups and examples using material I select from volunteers as time allows, but I can’t guarantee we’ll get to everyone.Even if your specific joke isn’t chosen, you’ll see the same process applied over and over so you can use it on your own work.
Q: What do I need to bring or prepare?
You’ll get the most out of the workshop if you bring:
- Something to take notes with (digital or old-school)
- A quiet place, headphones, and a stable internet connection
- You’re not required to share your work out loud, but you’ll get more value if you participate.
Q: How late can I sign up?
To keep the workshop manageable and interactive, seats are capped. Once we hit capacity, the checkout will close and no additional tickets will be sold. If you want in, it’s better to grab your seat now rather than take your chances. The last time we hosted this event, tickets were completely sold out.Copyright ©2026 - MichaelJamin.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide