I love comedy because it's one of the most beloved genres in film. It ain't easy, and also, you know, humor is subjective. In a business that relies on opinions, comedy writers are just asking to have our hearts ripped to shreds with the three small words: IT'S NOT FUNNY.
That said, it may not be funny to one person and hilarious to another. Comedy is different to everyone.
Why even bother then? Because it's also the greatest thing, IMHO, really, it is. I love many films but the ones I watch over and over are comedies and there's a reason for that.
Comedy tells the truth, and it makes us feel good.
Writing a successful comedy feature requires a unique blend of wit, timing, heart, skills, blood, sleepless nights, carpal tunnel, broken relationships, sleeping on your laptop, endless self-loathing, and tears. JUST KIDDING---sort of.
As a screenwriter who loves comedies, romantic comedies, and holiday movies, I've put together some essential tips to help you craft a hilarious and engaging comedy feature film.
1. Start with a Strong Concept/Premise
Every great comedy begins with a strong, unique concept. Your premise should be fresh and intriguing, something that can sustain laughter and interest over the course of the film. Think about classic comedies like Groundhog Day or The Hangover—their concepts are simple yet offer endless opportunities for humor. If your premise is weak, you won't be able to write the story, make sure it's strong.
2. Develop Relatable Characters
Characters are the heart of any comedy. Your audience needs to connect with them, root for them, and laugh at their antics. Create characters with distinct personalities, flaws, and quirks. They should be relatable yet exaggerated enough to bring out the humor. Use character archetypes but give them unique traits that set them apart. For example, the "lovable loser" or the "overbearing boss" can be made fresh with new, unexpected characteristics.
3. Master the Art of Timing
Timing is crucial in comedy. The placement of jokes, the rhythm of dialogue, and the pacing of scenes all contribute to the comedic effect. Pay close attention to the flow of your script and ensure that the humor builds naturally. At the end of scenes, you should end on a joke/something funny, usually in the last thing said by the characters---see tip #8. It is not necessarily a joke but a funny moment that surprises the audience and makes them laugh. That is the joke, not so much as a joke.
4. Use Visual Comedy
Comedy isn't just about dialogue—visual gags and physical humor can add another layer of hilarity to your film. Remember that screenwriting is a visual medium at the end of the day. You don't need to have slapstick either. Look at Groundhog Day, the humor in the way Phil acts is very physical. When he is shoveling down sweets at the cafe, or dating all the women, or when he is in the truck with Phil the groundhog, it's funny just by site. In Big, Josh's actions like a child are what make it funny. It's real and honest.
5. Create Conflict and Escalation
Conflict is the engine of comedy. Your characters should face obstacles and challenges that escalate throughout the film. The higher the stakes, the funnier the situations.
Build scenes with conflict one after the other; things should seem like they may go the right way, and then BAM!! They are hit with something bad, creating tension. This structure not only keeps the audience engaged but also maximizes comedic potential.
6. Write Authentic Dialogue
Comedy dialogue should feel natural and authentic. Avoid forced jokes or overly scripted lines. Instead, aim for conversations that flow organically and reflect how people really talk.
Listen to conversations around you to get a sense of natural speech patterns and incorporate that into your script.
7. Infuse Heart into Your Story
The best comedies have heart. While making your audience laugh is important, you also want to create an emotional connection. Give your characters depth and include moments of sincerity and vulnerability. Balance the humor with heartfelt moments that reveal the characters' motivations and growth.
8. AVOID JOKES Refine
Yup, you heard me; stop writing jokes. I mean, like, you've been told to write three jokes per page. Stop that right now. I learned many years ago that COMEDY COMES FROM CHARACTER.
If you want to learn how to craft this I recommend STEVE KAPLAN'S two books on comedy and his online workshops.
9. Leave out WOULDN'T IT BE FUNNY IF...scenes
If you think that, chances are you are forcing humor. See above. Comedy comes from character. You don't need to think of funny things to put in because just putting your character into a situation and watching how they react is funny enough, especially when we can relate to that.
10. Use metaphors and similes.
There are a lot of ways to do this, but in many successful movies, this is done in a way that we don't even notice.
One example is 9 to 5, it's an oldie but really well done. Its message about women going underpaid and overworked also made a box office splash, becoming the 20th highest-grossing comedy of all time.
Mentioned above is STEVE KAPLAN and his books and courses on COMEDY are the best in the industry. You can find out more about Steve here. https://www.kaplancomedy.com/
Here is a list of some of my favorite comedies in the order they came to me.
Big
Groundhog Day
When Harry Met Sally
Legally Blonde
Miss Congeniality
Office Space
Bridesmaids
Pitch Perfect
For television which I also use for reference and you should too.
Friends
Seinfeld
Everybody Loves Raymond
Schitt's Creek
The Office
Will & Grace
Frasier
Tell me some of your favorite comedies.
Thanks for reading--I hope this was helpful. Please share on social and tag me @stephobourbon
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