Amherst resident involved in creation of sitcom

Ithaca College freshman Joe Pera, son of Amherst residents Catherine and David Pera, survived a weekend locked in a room with seven fellow students and Rick Shaw, producer of "The Nanny" to create a sitcom outline.

Pera was selected from 100 entrants who submitted essays aimed at demonstrating his ability to generate laughs.

The students spent 48 hours bantering, cajoling and retorting to create characters in a bizarre but identifiable situations.

"The most memorable part of the sitcom experience was being able to work with a professional to create something funny," Pera said. "It would be great if the script is sold, but I think that if it is good enough that someone could read it and laugh a bit, the process would be worth it."

Pera is a 2006 graduate of Amherst Central High School.