Izzy Hattem has her sights set on bright lights and the big city. A longtime fan of Saturday Night Live, the aspiring screenwriter has dreamed of working for the popular sketch comedy show since she could say “Live From New York.”

Though she grew up with hopes of becoming a novelist, the sophomore television, radio and film and women and gender studies minor, realized the longevity of television. As a devoted fan of “Arrested Development,” “Bob’s Burgers” and “30 Rock,” she would love to write for a number of comedic series.

“I like getting my thoughts down on paper,” Hattem said.

Hattem keeps her writing chops sharp by contributing to “After Hours” on CitrusTV. She draws on personal experiences and embarrassing moments to create timely jokes.

“I say, ‘Huh, I wonder if other people will find that funny.’ Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t,” Hattem said. “It’s really just about laughing at yourself.”

Writing for “After Hours” isn’t your typical gig, Hattem said. The television process requires a team of about twenty actors, crew members, writers and more to get a show up and running.

Between zany shoots and pre-production brainstorms, the writers’ room allows for a deep insight into people’s minds, Hattem said. She is frequently surprised by the subjects her colleagues come up with.

The New York native used her less-than-comfortable experiences on the subway to her creative advantage. In the sketch, Hattem puts a witty twist on “manspreading,” an act in which men let loose and take up as much space as possible in public places.

“I spent a day of my life writing on my friends’ and strangers’ thighs,” Hattem said, explaining her sketch-campaign “Manspread the Word.”

Hattem prefers the idea of writing for television to writing for movies. The ability to focus on trivial gestures and manifestations of characters is ideal, Hattem explained. She believes that obscure moments are often the funniest and the best entertainment highlights its quirks.

“I just have a very unreal obsession with television that I don’t have with movies,” Hattem said. “There’s more time to develop characters.”

She said anyone who wants to should try their hand at writing.

Said Hattem: “If you have ideas, jot them down.”

Published on March 14, 2016 at 3:13 pm

Contact: ghhughes@syr.edu