The definitive guide to sketch comedy

Maggie Scudder Jan 13, 2026

Sketch comedy is chaotic, collaborative, and wildly fun. Trying to tackle the CRAFT of it, however, feels like getting dropped into a cut throat post-apocalyptic wasteland with nothing but a banana peel and a dream. So GOLD built this guide to be the opposite of that: a clear, supportive path through everything you actually need to know to write, shoot, perform, and share great sketch comedy.

This isn’t a course or one person’s hot takes. It’s a curated roadmap built from GOLD’s best sketch resources, organized into four simple steps: learn the craft, level up, study what works, and join the convo.

Whether you’re brand-new to sketch, coming from standup, or trying to get your digital team to the next level, this guide is here to help you move from “I have an idea” to “we made a great sketch” with fewer dead ends, fewer gatekeepers, and way more laughs.

Step One: Learn to write sketch comedy

• How to write a comedy sketch

  • Ever wonder how the writers behind shows like SNL or A Black Lady Sketch Show do it? How do they crank out so many funny sketches? Well, turns out there’s a pretty exact science to writing sketches. If you plug your goofy ideas into this structure, you’ll probably have a sketch at the end! Isn’t science cool? The secret to sketch success, the special sauce, is called 5-Point Structure. And it’s about to change your whole life!

• 10 Sketches that teach sketch comedy

  • I’ve been teaching sketch comedy for many years, and writing sketches for years before that. This kind of experience gives one an knack for watching sketch differently. How much can be learned from watching some of the very best sketches that the world has to offer? Turns out, quite a bit!

Step Two: Level up your skills

• How to write better dialogue: 10 essential rules

  • When you’re starting out in screenwriting (or sketch comedy, or playwriting, or…graphic novels?), one of the toughest parts is nailing dialogue.  Never fear! Firstly, you’re not alone. Dialogue can be tricky for even the most experienced script writers. Secondly, I got you, babe. If you implement all ten of these hacks, you’ll nail your dialogue every time.

• How to direct a comedy sketch: 5 essential tips

  • Directing isn’t just yelling “Action!” and “Cut!” I mean, okay, those are really fun parts. But, really directing is a lot of juggling a million decisions while making sure everyone else on set feels supported enough to do their best work. Whether you’re shooting a sketch on your iPhone or running a full crew for a feature film, here are the core rules every new director should follow.

• How to nail character acting for camera: 5 rules every comedian (and actor) should steal

  • Character acting isn’t just about slapping on a funny accent or goofy walk. (Though who doesn’t love a funny accent or goofy walk?) The best performances—comedic or dramatic—come from layered, lived-in choices that make the character feel real, specific, and memorable. Whether you’re auditioning, shooting a sketch, or stealing the scene on set, here are five pro-level tips to elevate your character work.

• How to shoot comedy on a budget

  • If you want to film something funny, but you don’t have a Netflix budget or a semi-truck full of gear, there’s good news: you don’t need that stuff. I told you it was good news! What you do need is a solid grasp of the basics, some scrappy problem-solving, and a focus on what actually matters—the material (jokes!). Here’s how to shoot comedy on a time crunch and budget without making it look like a college group project.

• Thumbnails and more: 6 tricks to get your video more views

  • Making a great sketch is only half the battle. The other half? Making sure people actually watch it. That means thumbnails, captions, descriptions, and all the tiny details that help your video stand out in a scroll. Here’s how to market your comedy sketches like a pro without losing your mind in the process. Let the platforms and your designs do the work of gathering eyes–you have jokes to write!

• 10+ Things I learned from producing my own sketch

  • I found it so valuable to reflect on the process from start to finish and encourage all creators to treat themselves to a post-mortem date! Here are 10 things I learned while writing, planning, and filming my sketch…

• How to virtually produce comedy sketches

  • You’re probably thinking, “But Kristina, how do you produce sketches when you’re not all together?”  And, if you had asked me this six months ago, I would’ve said, “You can’t—it simply can’t be done!” But it turns out five songs and as many green screens later—you CAN do it! Here are the tips and tricks my team discovered while producing sketches remotely.

Step Three: Watch, laugh, and learn (even) more

• 10 Queer Comedy Sketches For Pride!

• Top Five Halloween Sketches

• Top 10 SNL Thanksgiving sketches

• For your viewing pleasure: GOLD’s holiday sketches

Step Four: Participate in The Dialogue™️

• Please Don’t Destroy is out. Who will be SNL’s next shorts team?

  • SNL just lost Please Don’t Destroy. Who will take over as America’s favorite digital short team? Will SNL finally break their white-dude streak?

• The problem with SNL’s digital short teams

  • Problem: SNL keeps hiring digital teams of white dudes. Solution: Make some kickass digital teams that center women and nonbinary folks.

• Sketch comedy is everywhere… except where it should be

  • Sketch comedy is having a moment—just not on TV.

comedy writing digital shorts how to performance production screenwriting sketch sketch comedy snl tips workshop writing