Amisha:
I’ve taken courses at acclaimed screenwriting programs and Kiyong’s class ranks among the best in script consulting. Kiyong was dedicated to his students and offered insightful feedback to push you to write your best. Fellowships and working as a writer is about more than just the script and Kiyong guided each writer through that minefield of actually talking about yourself so you don’t blow interviews and being able to accept and incorporate notes, which was worth the price of the workshop alone. In addition, the workshop offered a community of like-minded serious writers who were fun, were great sounding boards, and gave good notes. It’s not a fly-by class: there are homework assignments and deadlines — just like the real world. And if you keep up and put in the work, the cost of the workshop will pay itself tenfold. I would recommend this workshop to anyone wanting to take their script to a competitive level.
Caitlin:
I knew from reading Kiyong’s blog over the years that he was a talented writer who was writing at a professional level as an alum of both the Nickelodeon and NBC Writing programs. At the stage I’m at in my career, I needed honest feedback from someone who knew what it took to write a high-quality spec.Kiyong’s precise, clear notes on my work definitely helped define my storylines in the planning stages, and his lessons on goals and stakes especially resonated with me. The caliber of feedback throughout the course, both from Kiyong and the other students, really pushed me to write what I consider to be my best sitcom spec to date. Beyond the class meetings each week, Kiyong also provided written notes on each assignment and one-on-one meetings over two months. I enjoyed being put through my paces and writing a spec on the same schedule as professional writers. I would enthusiastically recommend the course to other people looking to up their sitcom spec skills, and I would love to go through the program again with another spec!
Jonterri:
After three years of following Kiyong’s blog and being in awe of the way he gets things done and makes things happen for himself on the tv writing fellowship circuit, I was so excited to hear about his spec writing workshop. This class session began just as I’d finally completed my first ever spec, which I wrote on my own. So I feel like I can speak with some authority and credibility when I say that Kiyong’s way of conceptualizing, writing, and completing a spec was a million times easier, more efficient and it made more sense than how I’d struggled through my previous spec on my own. More specifically, on my own, I created a spreadsheet to help me breakdown produced scripts. No lie, it would take me 3-4 hours per script doing it my way. I lost desire to even write during that process. Kiyong’s way of breaking down scripts? An hour per script! And he had more information on his spec breakdown worksheet that was relevant to the actual spec writing process than I had. I really feel like I got a good grasp of the structure of the show with his guidance. And I got it quickly. This workshop was totally worth the time saved. Also, getting to see other people’s specs develop in a small group was beneficial. Any feedback I gave to my classmates was feedback I tried to also apply to my own writing. Kiyong’s feedback was delivered in a way that got straight to the point and he doesn’t add a lot of fluff around it. He sets high expectations as far as meeting deadlines and that’s exactly what I needed to finish several drafts of the spec in 8 weeks. Several drafts! Not just one crappy draft so I can say I wrote a spec! One of the biggest compliments I can think to give to Kiyong is to say that I would not take this class again….because he taught it so well that I got what I needed to get in order to keep writing specs in the most efficient way possible on this first time through. But if he ever teaches a pilot writing workshop (or one on features, or short films, or even gymnastics), I’m so there.
Amanda:
Before taking Kiyong’s class I had pretty much no idea how to approach writing a spec or how the industry worked. I had gleaned some insights from blogs and books about the industry, but I felt like I needed a more structured and interactive platform rather than me weeping in a corner with my laptop because I didn’t really know what I was doing. Going to grad school wasn’t an option and l and local colleges didn’t offer courses about TV writing, so it seemed that Kiyong’s workshop would be a perfect fit. Fortunately, it was!After completing the workshop I feel so much more confident and informed about the writing process, the way writer’s rooms work, and the skills I need to polish not only as a writer whose job is to create content but as a potential employee who needs to brand myself in interviews and in general. Kiyong was always supportive and helpful and the weekly assignments broke down the previously daunting task of writing a spec into smaller steps that ensured that our end product would be something great. He also made time for one on one tutorials in addition to our weekly class which were extremely helpful and really helped me when I was stuck. Kiyong is extremely approachable and funny and always had creative ideas and notes. His weekly feedback was so valuable as was getting the perspectives of the other classmates. I learned so much just in reading their drafts, seeing how other people approached the writing process and where they struggled and succeeded as I was going through the same process. I really enjoyed our dynamic of brainstorming and collaboration which, from what I understand, mimics the dynamic of a writer’s room. The fact that I enjoyed the entire process (though it could be challenging) has made me feel confident about pursuing TV writing full time.
I would highly recommend Kiyong’s workshop to people from all backgrounds and levels of experience. It would be beneficial to those who are starting from square one, to writers who are much more experienced but are looking to polish their skills, and anyone in between.
David:
I took Kiyong’s pilot writing class this summer and it was one of the best investments I’ve made in a while. Not only did Kiyong give detailed and extensive notes, but he also checked-in between classes to make sure we were all on track. Due to his expert guidance, I was able to finish the class with a first draft! I highly recommend Kiyong’s pilot class if you’re serious about writing.
Duke:
Kiyong’s Sitcom Spec Workshop is worth the investment if you’re serious about writing. Having been through the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship and NBC Writer’s on the Verge, Kiyong is very knowledgeable about the industry and knows what it takes if you want to break into Hollywood as a TV writer. Prior to taking his class, I had never written a spec before. However, through his 8-week program, I was able to write two drafts of my “Master of None” spec, and couldn’t be happier. I highly recommend taking this workshop and can’t wait for the Pilot Workshop.
Juliet:
A writer friend highly recommended taking a class from Kiyong, and word of mouth about his spec writing class did not disappoint. I’ve taken a few different TV writing classes before and none were as helpful as Kiyong’s! The most helpful aspect was the one-on-one sessions that we had. We looked at my stories and really broke them out, and he helped articulate what was needed to make the story stronger. I’m specifically writing for the writing programs, so it was also helpful to get his guidance in terms of hearing what they’re looking for in interviews and what would be good anecdotes or stories to have ready to go. If you have the same goal — to get into one of those programs, then take his class!