Screenwriting : How many comedy writers are out there? by Cherie Grant

I've written one romcom. That being said, I infuse lots of humor in everything I write.

Black comedy, but not comedy comedy. When I grow up, I hope to write a real comedy. (I did co-write this one: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0358236/, but that was a lifetime ago.)

Black comedy but I do more action oriented stories.

I should state what I do too. I have three sitcoms one a darker pilot than the others. One a sci-fi/comedy. I am writing a comedy feature now and have two more lined up to go. They are all very different in stories, but probably quite similar in humour. I never set out to write comedy i just happen to fall into it. It's what appeals to me the most. I did a comedy writing course in March to help hone my skills and it was really helpful in helping me improve my joke telling. i now write a joke almost everyday and post it on Twitter. This keeps the comedy wheels oiled.

Everything I write is laughable. That counts, right?

LOL CJ maybe you should write comedies if you don't already. ;)

4) Sarcasm

I like physical comedy and wit something more with a Monty Python edge. Shock comedy isn't funny and fails most times. If it has to be forced it won't work it should be something natural to a situation, but what do I know I kill people for a living.

Cool, I wrote second unit for a season of kids show years ago. Our show critiqued games. Following a theme and being constrained to a time is hard work.

Confirmed: CJ writes comedy.

I write comedy

Ok, that wasn´t very funny I know... I switched off the comedy switcher. Finals stole my sense of humour.

I write comedy.

I specialize in comedy scripts. As a standup comic it is in my nature. Comedy is King. Right now I am half way through my first thriller/Horror and that is coming out terrific. Funny how as a writer you can visualize all sorts of genres.

A few of mine run to dark comedy, I think it's a natural pre-disposition.

I have wanted to be a stand-up for a long time, but i don't have the nerves. I feel better just sticking to writing my comedy in screenplays. Though i think it's a good idea to be into stand-up if you write comedy because it can be inspirational and it's a good idea to immerse yourself in laughter and funny things.

I think it's brave to face any audience with sheer terror, especially if it' doing stand up. I'm fortunate to write enough humor material & frame it with an outline.

2 days later: I never set out to write gross-out sex comedies until I realized that's where my mind kept going. So, now I do. Well, that and silly, ridiculous breaking the fourth wall type of comedy that comments on itself. Those are the most fun and with some science fiction to balance it out. It makes sense.

I just reviewed a gross-out sex comedy on another site & I had to be brutally honest - the premise was not going to sell at a pitch. I think the process of writing comedies with a layer of drama is my strong suite.

I am one! I've had some success marketing one I collaborated on: Paroled in Paradise. Adventure Comedy Romance. Logline: Female ex-con paroled in the Hamptons in the summer must choose between a supposedly easy multi-million dollar heist at the summer fashion show or true love with a quirky agoraphobic local inventor who cannot bring himself to cross the canal West toward Manhattan. I have mostly done my own marketing. Fortis Films said yes twice and then it was tanked, as they were moving the principal into soft romance and she had just done a feisty loud-mouthed character. Kathleen Turner loved this script and actually marketed it herself at HIFF one summer. Long story-- but anyone interested, please contact me as it could be very very low budget, even if shot in Hamptons. I'm new to Stage 32 so have not quite figured out the best way to post my various synopses and loglines. Scripts availabe to anyone who wants to read. I will eventually pull it together to shoot a few good scenes and upload them to kickstarter or other fundraising site with PR material etc.

Hi,Yaedi - go to the black bar on your profile page & you should see loglines. Once you click that, you should be able to post your synopsis & upload your script.

I've tried writing stand up but it's a lot about the performance timing. However a table read can let you know how close your getting. Some skit format doesn't even look a whole lot like screenwriting format either. It would be interesting to see how SNL does it after the chicken scratch on paper. Seth Meyers and Fallon do give some hints of insight from time to time though. Man wouldn't it be cool to land a position on the 40th anniversary season? And while a SNL writer's may not get paid immensely one aspect that those who would get the opportunity should consider is almost instant residuals.

I am in high school right now, but I hope to one day write sitcoms professionally. But I still write a lot.

Working on it.. one musical comedy, two comedy screenplays, one childrens book (fantasy/comedy) one crime/comedy book in progress. sketches, etc. Hi to all the others. Comedy is tough work, but it's the cream on the cake isn't it?

we have the same types of stories going Andrea. I too have two features, children's book (fantasy) crime comedy caper book and a musical from years back that i might revisit someday. but i also have some tv comedy pilots.

People find me funny at all the inappropriate times.

It's odd to me how a selective number of name comedians are given the greenlight for their movies no matter how horrible the premise. I won't mention names ( who has to? ) but I think the standard for comedy has been so marginalized, you wonder how anyone shells out $10 - $15 for lameness.

Yup-- yukko formula. As we are all cabbages out here, looking for fertilizer!

As if-- (typo)

did a spec script for tBBT too, did not cause too much excitement at scr..plza.. though.

I spec'ed TBBT, too, Andrea! ;-) I actually teach an online class on writing the Spec Script. I love comedy! ;-) Hoping to direct a few comedy features in the very new future (if we can find the funding! ;-)

Hi Heather, I know this is asking a lot as you are so busy. I wrote a extremely new concept of a comedy. It on my S32 profile in the log line section. If you have free moment could you check it out. I promise it is funny and fun. No worries if you can't. Just wanted to give you the opertunity to check it out. Thanks. Kindest regards. Zergog.

The worldwide pitchfest is on! Who´s going? I´m not going because I have lots of things to improve before I go anywhere.

Zergog - post the link here. ;-)

Hi Heather, thanks for asking, I don't really have a link as it is in a pdf file on my computer, but if you could be so kind and go to my profile on Stage 32 and look into my Logline section I have the whole screenplay titled "Metal Masters" it will come right up just click view screenplay and it will be there. Thanks again. Zergog.

Zergog, You want to make it easy on the people you're pitching to. Don't make them dig around, clicking through multiple pages to find what you're referencing – they won’t. A simple copy and paste would be appreciated – especially after being asked – especially as a nice response to a blind solicitation. ;-) LOGLINE: "When the world of Heavy Metal collides with Science we get chaos, and that chaos is “Kid Skeleton” a band that brings Heavy Metal to a higher state of confusion, an experimental contribution to the heavy metal community and an unsolicited malfunction to the rest of the world." From the above, I don't know that it’s a comedy. I also don’t have any idea as to what I will see on the screen. What kind of chaos? Chaos at a rock concert? Or in a lab? Is Kid Skeleton a musician who runs a band? Or is he the newest member that creates the chaos? Or is that the name of the band (which we will learn later IF we read your synopsis ;-) "Experimental contribution" and "unsolicited malfunction" are too vague...what am I watching? Explosions? People undergoing heavy metal music therapy? ;) What's the malfunction? A robot rocker? You see? This could be comedy, could be drama, could be Sci Fi, could be action, could be mystery or suspense, a thriller... After reading your brief synopsis (which has four typos by the way in almost as many paragraphs - you want to be careful of that if you want to be perceived as a professional writer), I see that it's a fun concept. ;-) But it took me about five paragraphs to discover that – most people won’t work that hard. “School of Rock” is going to be a new TV show - so that bodes well for you in terms of timing - especially if that's successful. Jack Black is starring, full series season pick up ordered. All good for you. Whets the appetite for that kind of comedy – yours has a Sci Fi Comedy spin. Almost a head banging, probably a “Dude Where’s My Car?” burner element with just a tad of Encino Man and Blast from the Past. At 45, maybe Brendan Frasier could play the heavy metal geneticist? ;-) You want ALL of your writing for this project, at least, to be FUNNY. The logline and 1st paragraph or so aren't. You might want to play on the” Are you sick of Justin Bieber, too? ;-) approach. When you say “Detroit Rock City” what do you mean? Are you referring to the 1999 comedy? Or the KISS song? Is this your fictional setting? Maybe play with it? Spin it so we know it’s a comedy: Demoines, Rock City Or DNA, Rock City. Or something far more brilliant! ;-) BTW: Re: Detroit Rock City - Edward Furlong is actually in my movie that’s hitting Walmarts next week! Here’s a brainstorming starting place… POTENTIAL REVISED LOGLINE: Sick of Justin Bieber, a maniacal geneticist splices together the donated sperm of the world’s best Heavy Metal Rockers to breed the ultimate genetically modified Heavy Metal Band: Kid Skeleton. If only he had paid any attention to brain cells before unleashing these five 18-year-olds on the world. At least you get a sense that it’s meant to be FUNNY ☺ you get a sense of the characters, the age bracket, understand the audience demographic, the kind of music (or not ;-) the catalyst's motivation, probably the theme, hints of what we might see, etc. For what it's worth: Kid Skeleton (to me) sounds like one person (like Kid Rock) – how about something like Hybrid Kids? Helter Skeltered DNA Or...something far more brilliant? Hope that helps! ;-)

I am! my game is comedy and porn

Apparently there are only a few really funny people here.

comedy is hard, sex is harder

Thanks Heather for adding me to your network. As CEO of Master Motion Pictures Ltd. we look forward to building a relationship you and inform you that Northern Alberta, Canada, is a wonderful place for shooting films of all sorts. I extend an invitation to all filmmakers to come fly with the snow birds.

Thanks Tyrone! We'd love to come shoot there! We actually have one project that would be perfect! :-) Sins of the Midnight Sons: http://www.slated.com/films/56462/ But of course - as with all...raising the money! Do you have any independent film investor leads? :-)

We work through Telefilm Canada. They require you raise 41 percent of your budget and they will fund the rest.

We are in the Oil Belt of the North. Cinamatically beautiful.Sounds like a project worth while persuing. As far as independent investor leads, we would persue our Canadian Oil Corporations, our Television Broadcasters, Canadian Distributors, etc.If you are interested, for further discussions, you can contact me through the following Information: email: mastermotionpictures@hotmail.com. or Call me at: 1-780-805-1602.

Great Tyrone! I sent you the pitch package and connected you with the Executive Producer and rights holder (author). Fingers crossed!

Thank you, Heather. Tyrone, thank you for the comment and interest. I've been told by David Prytula, Black Rock Films, in Canada (B.C.) that "Sins of the Midnight Sons" has global appeal. And no matter which side you're on with the oil/gas industry, there is a story here to be told. We feel confident enough with the material, I'm currently beginning work on the sequel. I think I saw where Heather has sent you a film package. Once you have time to look it over feel free to contact me by e-mail, kimmer12@bellsouth.net or my cell, 662-523-1648. If we can get the investors on board, the A-list cast will come easy, as I have been working toward this endeavor. Look forward to speaking with you soon.