who is marla?
Marla DuMont is a TV writer and producer whose credits include the Chuck Lorre sitcoms Bob Hearts Abishola and Mike & Molly on CBS. She teaches TV Comedy Writing at UCLA Extension.
She was selected for the WGA Writers Access Project in comedy in 2018. As a playwright, her plays have been performed across the country including California, New York, and Florida. She holds an MFA in Writing for the Stage and Screen from Florida State University.
In her free time, Marla does agility training with her dog Deacon, plays basketball with the famous Talls & Smalls and The Traveling Pants - (okay, maybe they’re not so famous, but The Traveling Pants do have an Instagram). She’s an animal lover and Irish dancer, but most of all, Marla likes to write. (And she really wants you to like it too.)
“I consulted with Marla on an original pilot script and a spec script. She made my spec sing and she helped me flip my pilot upside down so it flowed. She has valuable insight in breaking story and helping you tell a story, while staying true to your voice. Very grateful to have her in my corner. She is succinct and encouraging and inspires me to keep writing. Thanks, Marla!”
testimonials:
“I have never had a discipline so beautifully distilled and demystified. Marla keeps you on track with clear assignments. Her notes are thoughtful and precise. She breaks the process down into manageable steps so it never feels overwhelming. And she gets you to the finish line with humor and efficiency. I feel like I have a new secret weapon! With Marla, I can write anything! Thank you Marla!!! :-)”
“The first time I received Marla’s feedback, I said out loud to myself, “Wow! This is good stuff!” Her insights are helpful and clear. The constructive criticism she has to offer is fully invested in improving story and strengthening characters, with an eye toward the practical considerations of the industry. She is an incredible guide that you want in your corner!”
“I’m currently taking Marla’s 3-month mentorship course, and I’m beyond happy I signed up for the most intensive package. As a new writer, having Marla as my personal writing coach has been invaluable. I can reach out with questions or ideas at any time, and she always responds promptly and thoughtfully.
Marla is a truly dedicated, skilled, and personable teacher. I’ve never had a teacher in any subject who puts as much effort into my work as I do. Her feedback is detailed, clear, and completely honest – no sugar-coating or wasted time – just productive, actionable notes.
She not only helps refine your ideas and elevate your concepts, but also teaches the fundamentals – character description, story arcs, punch-up jokes— in a way that’s incredibly easy to grasp and apply. I feel fortunate to have Marla as a resource and hope to continue working with her as my writing develops.
As a new writer, I feel incredibly lucky to have met Marla. She’s given me the confidence and knowledge to finally give writing a real shot; something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Truly one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.
10/10 teacher and person—highly recommend!”
“As a drama writer, stepping into comedy was a completely new challenge for me, and I was initially anxious about the process. However, Marla’s guidance made all the difference. She breaks down every step of writing in a clear, structured way, making it easy to follow. Her detailed notes and insights, drawn from her experience in the writers’ room, were invaluable from outlining to drafting. Marla is an incredibly reliable teacher, and I would love the opportunity to work with her again in the future.”
“I spent thousands of dollars on script coverage and “script doctors” before I met Marla. Marla was the only person giving me precisely what I needed: detailed notes page by page to pinpoint the issues and actionable items to make my script more professional. I won’t submit my scripts before letting her take the first look.”
marla outtakes:
