Screenwriting : Comedic Writing by Lauren McKean

Lauren: A key in the equation is finding humor in unexpected things. But also attempting to define what it is you're trying to do in the realm of comedy. There's a world of difference between what the Marx Brothers were doing and what Laurel and Hardy did. So think about the type of comedy you want to do and study the folks you think do it well. Read a script like Wedding Crashers, to get the timing and feel of the genre. Test out your jokes on people etc. In the meantime, read a few of these articles. https://screenplayreaders.com/comedy-script-isnt-funny/ http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/the-4-rules-of-comedy-writing-for-s... http://www.scriptmag.com/features/comedy-kitchen-sink-art-writing-comedy

Also, just remember to keep it organic. the humor should arise either from the situation or the characters involved. I keep thinking of films like Shaun of the Dead or Dale And Tucker that take classic storylines like Zombies or Redneck Killers and turn them into total chuckle fests. Then again, that might not be your idea of funny.

I'd love to help out. When writing comedy I always think about the situation the characters find themselves in. It might not be anything exciting. Example: Sitting at their desk. But then I think what could make it interesting or funny without any dialog. You can also come up with a funny piece of dialog but it's much easier to do when the situation can be comedic without saying anything. So, using a work setting, someone sitting at their desk. What if the computer won't turn on? What if they have to get into their filing cabinet and it's locked? That's just the starting off point. I can go on and on if you like. I don't think I have all the right answers, or even the correct ones. I just know what works for me. If you'd like to see it in action check out some of my scripts I've got posted on my profile page.

All comedy begins and ends with a preponderance of....one word....one simple word...that is somewhere in between absolution and abysmal. If you can unlock the power of that one word...you can become a comedy God. May the salami be with you, Lauren!

What's the tone of the piece? Hard to answer without knowing the tone.

Regina I'm going for situation comedy/play on words.

Hi Lauren, I have to admit no models come to mind for a series built on a play on words. If I think of a helpful model, I'll write in. If you can't come up with models to reference either, it's possible (or not) that you might benefit from broadening the conceit and defining a more robust series engine.

Arrested Development and Modern Family are examples of comedies that play on words. Ive always thought that was brilliant.

Lauren - "play on words" is a literary technique. P.G. Wodehouse is probably the best example of writers who used that technique in his writings. Underneath that technique, though, were deep farces about absurd people; their customs/manners; and how they dealt with life through the story plots. Shows like JP mentioned - Arrested Development and Modern Family - plus shows like Portlandia, Two Broke Girls, Broad City, Workaholics, South Park, IdiotSitter, The Simpsons and Seinfeld all are based on well-developed absurd characters whose everyday life is affected by their absurdities. The degrees of those absurdities can vary greatly - from the characters' eccentricities on Keeping Up with Appearances to the characters' idiosyncracies on Workaholics. "Absurd" is the word. "Well-developed chararcters" are the vehicle. Any situation can become funny when you combine those two essential elements with a relatable concept/hook (like coping in the big city; dealing with family life; getting by at the job you hate) in a normal or fantastic world/setting. You then have situation comedy. Comedy turns tragedy upside down. Good luck!

Be funny.

Read scripts of shows that echo the kind of style you;re looking to learn, obviously. Comedy writing is a tricky devil. Bill brings up some great shows. Even Friends had some great scenes regarding play on words. I can recall a scene where Phoebe describes a bad haircut she gave to Monica like a surgoen who just came out of surgery. Keep reading and watching examples. Trial and error.

Be careful only writing what you find funny. Everybody has different sensibilities. I find I'm usually funny when I'm not trying to be. Oddity can be extremely funny. Let me know if I can help, Lauren! Congrats on the web series!!

I watch shows and films that resonate with my style and go to live comedy shows and stand-ups. Immerse yourself in comedy. I love a brit show, which names escapes me right now, where comedians are put on the spot, given a topic and take turns doing live jokes without any planning. It's brillaint to watch these guys and I like to take that topic and come up with my own jokes. Take forms of jokes and write about a topic in each form, like make jokes about romances using observational humour, black humour, absurd humour, puns (meh), ironic, overstated etc. Learn to make things funny. It takes work. Comedians don't often just walk up on stage, bar Billy Connelly, and make it up. They study comedy and plan. They work on it.

Hey Lauren - A writer here from Sunnyvale, CA. I would say that the comedy would come out of the situation that you are writing - the dialogue will be funny cause the characters reaction to the situation will be what makes it funny. There is the old adage that what you find funny, others may not. That is entirely true, but also if the situation that is happening isn't 100% niche, then I think you should be fine. Would to help out in any way, even if it just means sending positive vibes from a state below. Best of luck!