spotted_leaf
New member
Does anyone know anything about comedy writing for feature films?
Comedy Writing
- Thread starter spotted_leaf
- Start date
Ted Spencer
Veteran
Sure. It's a lot like what the old actor said...
A young actor visits an old one, on his deathbed in a hospital, to pay his respects:
Young actor: This must be really hard for you...
Old actor: No. Dying is easy...*comedy* is hard...
So it is with writing comedy. If you have a knack for it, it's not so hard, but if you don't, it's almost impossible. And "trying to be funny", but not succeeding, is almost always much, much worse than not trying at all.
It's a lot like music talent - you pretty much have it or you don't. If you do, you can develop it. If you don't you should probably forget it.
I hope this isn't too discouraging...
A young actor visits an old one, on his deathbed in a hospital, to pay his respects:
Young actor: This must be really hard for you...
Old actor: No. Dying is easy...*comedy* is hard...
So it is with writing comedy. If you have a knack for it, it's not so hard, but if you don't, it's almost impossible. And "trying to be funny", but not succeeding, is almost always much, much worse than not trying at all.
It's a lot like music talent - you pretty much have it or you don't. If you do, you can develop it. If you don't you should probably forget it.
I hope this isn't too discouraging...
EJ Pennypacker
Well-known member
What do you want to know Spotted?
EJ
EJ
Capt Quirk
Veteran
It is easier than drama or romance.
Ted Spencer
Veteran
I disagree. Comedy that is actually, genuinely funny, as opposed to just silly or dumb, is pretty widely agreed to be among the hardest things for most writers. There are relatively few highly successsful ones, and a relatively large number of otherwise good writers who don't write comedy at all or write it badly.
Acting-wise, comedians can very often do drama well, but relatively few dramatic actors can do comedy well.
At least that's how I see it.
NinjaVsPenguin
Active member
Writing comedies is like telling funny stories to your friends. If they laugh, then you may have it.
There are a few things that makes comedy so hard. One is that comedy is social. When you watch something on your own, you know intellectually that it's funny, but won't laugh out loud nearly as much as with friends. The second is that comedy is subjective. One person may find something hilarious, the other will just find it meh.
Good luck, Spotted.
There are a few things that makes comedy so hard. One is that comedy is social. When you watch something on your own, you know intellectually that it's funny, but won't laugh out loud nearly as much as with friends. The second is that comedy is subjective. One person may find something hilarious, the other will just find it meh.
Good luck, Spotted.
JasonFox
Internet Sensation
Proof that comedy is hard: Watch TV commercials. How many try to be funny but aren't? That's why so many brands go with lame music-driven montage spots.
I do believe that comedy writing can be learned, BUT you yourself have to be pretty witty to begin with. Okay, even that can be learned, but if you're 30 and dullard, good luck.
And, of course, it isn't enough to just be funny. You have to be a good storyteller, as well. Unless you're doing the rare film that's meant to be a series of bits, you don't want a film that feels like a series of bits.
Also, toss in a midget.
I do believe that comedy writing can be learned, BUT you yourself have to be pretty witty to begin with. Okay, even that can be learned, but if you're 30 and dullard, good luck.
And, of course, it isn't enough to just be funny. You have to be a good storyteller, as well. Unless you're doing the rare film that's meant to be a series of bits, you don't want a film that feels like a series of bits.
Also, toss in a midget.
Capt Quirk
Veteran
Midget Tossing was found to be Politically Incorrect, and as such is banned in most places.
JasonFox
Internet Sensation
That's a production issue, not a script issue. :beer: