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Mastering the Art of Comedy Writing: Tips, Techniques, and Tricks

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Anyone can learn the basics of comedy writing and hone their skills through practice. Comedy is a universal language that brings joy and laughter to people of all ages. While some possess a natural flair for humor, anyone can learn the basics of comedy writing and hone their skills through practice. This comprehensive guide will explore various techniques, categories, and tips for writing effective comedy sketches, gags, and jokes. Whether you’re an aspiring comedy writer or a seasoned professional, this guide will provide valuable insights to help you create hilarious content.

Quickies and Sketches: The Building Blocks of Comedy

Understanding Quickies

Quickies are short comedic pieces that lead to a single punchline, often relying on a quick setup and a surprising twist. They are usually brief, delivering a joke with minimal dialogue or action. For instance, a classic quickie from the BBC sketch show “Big Train” features a monk who, while walking in a garden, touches a statue of a naked woman, only to trigger an alarm.

Crafting Effective Sketches

Sketches are longer comedic pieces that build humor through a series of actions or dialogues, culminating in a punchline. A famous example is Monty Python’s ‘Restaurant Sketch,’ where a dirty fork leads to a series of exaggerated reactions from the restaurant staff, ending in a chaotic and unexpected finale. The humor here is derived from the exaggerated overreaction to a trivial issue.

Comedy Categories: Exploring Different Styles

Red Herrings

Red herrings mislead the audience into expecting one outcome, only to reveal a completely different situation. An example from “Big Train” involves a woman who appears to be a forensic pathologist but is actually a beautician applying blusher to an over-tanned customer.

Reversals

Reversals involve characters or situations behaving contrary to expectations. In “Father Ted,” priests are portrayed as foolish, dishonest, or inebriated, which contrasts with the expected behavior of clergy. Similarly, “Absolutely Fabulous” features a mother who acts like a teenager and a daughter who behaves like a responsible adult.

Switches

Switches place characters or objects in unlikely situations. For example, in “Goodness Gracious Me,” a Hindu man treats a cow as a pet, highlighting the absurdity of keeping a cow in a suburban home.

Exaggeration

Exaggeration takes situations to extreme levels for comedic effect. In the “Restaurant Sketch,” the staff’s extreme reactions to a dirty fork exemplify this technique. Another example is a sketch where a minuscule stereo system has an impractically large remote control.

Generating Comedy Ideas: A Creative Process

Applying Techniques to Everyday Situations

To develop comedy ideas, apply techniques like reversals, switches, and exaggerations to ordinary scenarios. For instance, imagine a bank that desperately wants to give away contaminated money or a bank run by an Apache chief.

Asking the Right Questions

When developing a comedic scenario, ask questions like:

Tips for Writing Comedy Sketches

Tailoring Material to the Audience

Ensure your material suits the audience of the show you’re writing for. Research past content to understand the tone and style.

Minimizing Dialogue

Keep dialogue concise. Every word should serve a purpose, and unnecessary words should be eliminated.

Focusing on Visual Humor

Incorporate visual elements to enhance the humor. Show, don’t just tell. Visual gags often have a stronger impact than dialogue alone.

Avoiding Clichés

Steer clear of overused characters and scenarios. Fresh, original ideas are more likely to resonate with audiences.

Crafting Gags and Jokes

Structure of a Gag

Most gags consist of a factual statement followed by a punchline that twists the meaning or conjures a funny image. For example, Groucho Marx’s famous line: “One morning I shot an elephant in my pyjamas. How he got in my pyjamas I’ll never know.”

Examples of ‘Yo Mama’ Jokes

‘Yo Mama’ jokes rely on exaggerated, often absurd comparisons:

Developing Punchlines

To practice writing gags, brainstorm punchlines for setups like:

Developing Gag-Writing Skills

Brainstorming Techniques

Make lists related to your topic, including people, places, objects, occasions, and phrases. Then, list opposites to generate unique connections and unexpected punchlines.

Examples of Brainstorming for Bad Cooking

Opposites for Humor

Tips for Writing Gags and Jokes

Be Brief

Keep jokes short and to the point. Brevity enhances the impact.

Allow Time for Reflection

After brainstorming, revisit your list the next day. Fresh perspectives can improve your material.

Avoid Direct Comparisons

Approach the subject matter sideways for a funnier effect. Indirect comparisons often yield more creative and humorous results.

Keep a Comedy Notebook

Jot down ideas, funny observations, and double meanings. Use these notes for inspiration when writing gags and jokes.

Explore Multiple Meanings

Playing with different interpretations of words can lead to great gags. For example:

Becoming a Comedy Writer

Speculative vs. Commissioned Writing

Comedy writing can be speculative (submitting material in hopes of it being used) or commissioned (writing a specific amount of material for a show). Most writers start as spec writers and move to commissioned work if successful.

Approaching Production Teams

Contact the script editor of a show to submit material. Script editors manage submissions and often have a background in comedy writing.

Finding Comedy Shows

Established Shows

For established shows, contact the production company to inquire about upcoming series and submission guidelines.

New Shows

Discovering new shows can be challenging. Stay informed through industry periodicals like “The Stage,” “Broadcast,” and “Televisual,” which often feature news about new comedy projects.

Online Resources

Comedy forums, social media, and websites like the British Comedy Guide can provide leads on new and ongoing shows seeking material.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Comedy Writing

1. What is the difference between a quickie and a sketch in comedy writing?

Quickie: A quickie is a short comedic piece that leads to a single punchline, often using minimal dialogue or action. It’s designed to deliver a quick laugh with a simple setup and an unexpected twist.

Sketch: A sketch is a longer comedic piece that builds humor through a series of actions or dialogues, usually culminating in a punchline. Sketches often explore a specific situation in more depth compared to quickies.

2. What are the main categories of comedy?

Red Herrings: These mislead the audience into expecting one outcome, only to reveal a completely different situation.

Reversals: Characters or situations behave contrary to expectations.

Switches: Characters or objects are placed in unlikely or absurd situations.

Exaggeration: Situations are taken to extreme levels for comedic effect.

3. How can I come up with comedy ideas?

Start by applying techniques like reversals, switches, and exaggerations to everyday scenarios. Ask yourself questions about how these techniques can be applied to ordinary situations and brainstorm possible humorous outcomes.

4. What are some tips for writing effective comedy sketches?

5. How do I structure a gag?

Most gags consist of a factual statement followed by a punchline that either twists the meaning or conjures up a funny image. A good example is Groucho Marx’s famous line: “One morning I shot an elephant in my pyjamas. How he got in my pyjamas I’ll never know.”

6. How can I improve my gag-writing skills?

Practice regularly by brainstorming punchlines for various setups. Create lists of related words and their opposites to inspire unique and unexpected connections. Review and refine your gags over time.

7. What should I include in a comedy notebook?

Keep track of:

8. What is the difference between speculative and commissioned comedy writing?

Speculative writing: Writers submit material to a show in hopes of it being used, and they get paid if any is used.

Commissioned writing: Writers are paid to create a specific amount of material for a show. Most writers start with speculative submissions and move to commissioned work if successful.

9. How can I find comedy shows to write for?

10. What should I do if I want to write for a specific comedy show?

Contact the show’s production company or script editor to ask if they accept speculative material. If they do, request their guidelines and tailor your submissions accordingly.

11. How important is visual humor in comedy writing?

Visual humor is crucial as it enhances the comedic effect and often delivers a stronger impact than dialogue alone. Incorporate visual elements whenever possible to create a more engaging and entertaining piece.

12. How can I avoid clichés in my comedy writing?

Avoid using well-worn characters and scenarios that have been done many times before. Focus on creating fresh, original ideas that offer a new perspective or twist on familiar situations.

13. What role do multiple meanings play in comedy writing?

Playing with multiple meanings of words can lead to great gags. Look for double-meanings and create jokes that twist the usual interpretation, like the classic Groucho Marx elephant joke or Tim Vine’s gym joke.

14. How do I contact production companies or script editors for comedy shows?

Research the contact information for the production company or script editor of the show you’re interested in. Send a short, polite email inquiring about submission guidelines and expressing your interest in writing for the show.

15. What online resources can help me find new comedy shows?

Comedy forums, social media, and websites like the British Comedy Guide are excellent resources for discovering new and ongoing shows seeking material. Keep an eye on these platforms for updates and opportunities.

Conclusion

Writing comedy is a skill that can be developed with practice and dedication. By understanding the various techniques, categories, and tips outlined in this guide, you can improve your ability to craft hilarious sketches, gags, and jokes. Remember to keep your material concise, original, and tailored to your audience. With persistence and creativity, you can master the art of comedy writing and bring laughter to countless audiences.

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