Teach Yourself Comedy Writing,9780844226835

Teach Yourself Comedy Writing

by
ISBN13: 9780844226835
ISBN10: 0844226831
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 1999-02-01
Publisher(s): MCG
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Summary

Author Jenny Roche shares her firsthand experience of what it takes to be a successful comedy writer. She takes aspiring comics through every stage, from creating ideas and learning the craft, to understanding the business and marketing material. All genres of comedy writing are explored, including jokes, sitcoms, stand-up, cartoons, and comic strips. Exercises to improve technique are included.

Author Biography

Jenny Roche is a freelance comedy writer, creative writing tutor and runs comedy writing workshops.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi
Introduction
1(4)
Can comedy be taught? The scope for comedy material How to use this book To market Terms used
The Nature of Comedy
5(13)
The need for laughter The therapeutic nature of comedy The laughter triangle Comedy as a coping mechanism Comic distancing Taboo topics Insult humour Stereotypes Social control mechanism Safety valve Banana skins Comedy as a non-aggressive tool No butts Social context Subjectivity of humour
Beginning Comedy Writing
18(9)
What is a comedy writer-the facts and the fallacies Standard presentation Arrogance+humility= comedy writer Generating ideas
Comedy Writing Techniques
27(14)
Golden rules of comedy Comedy techniques Structural techniques Specialized modes of comedy Combining the techniques
One-liners
41(9)
Thought required Visual imagery Construction of one-liners Switching Gag sheets Joke books Speeches Greeting cards Competition slogans and tiebreakers Copywriting Radio Television Spot cartoons Magazine and other publications
Sketches
50(5)
So, What is a comedy sketch? Structure To market Other markets for sketches
Writing for Radio
55(12)
Advantages of writing for radio The creative tools of a radio writer General points Ways of establishing radio sketches To market Layout
Writing for Television
67(10)
Writing visually Camera terms Production considerations Other considerations To market Layout
Situation Comedy-1
77(7)
What is a sitcom? Special features of the sitcom Creating an original series The `situation'
Situation Comedy-2
84(8)
Evaluating an original script Devising sitcom characters
Situation Comedy-3
92(10)
Arenas of action Storylines To market Team writing A final word
Theatre
102(8)
Advantages and limitations of theatre The revue The sketch show The pantomime The The comedy play The farce To market
Stand-up comedy
110(17)
Research Comic persona Components of a comic persona Forms of material Mannerisms/catchphrases/props Material and the audience Set structure To market
Cartoon and Comic Strip, Greetings Cards
127(10)
Some basic considerations Writer/artist relationship The script Forms of cartoon and comic strip Greeting cards
Animation
137(8)
Why use animation? Types of animation The components of an animation story To market
Humour for Fiction and Non-fiction
145(6)
Observation Tools and devices for humour To market
Writing Comedy for Children
151(11)
Writing for children, not about them Special considerations Age groups Outlets for children's writing Children's theatre Theatre for children to watch Theatre for performance by children
The Business of Being a Comedy Writer
162(6)
Marketing your work Marketing yourself Other business concerns
The Comedy Writer as a Human Being
168(6)
Motivation Time management Writer's block Getting feedback Rejections The luck factor
Appendices 174(11)
Useful addresses Further reading Useful information: Recording suppliers; Specialist bookshops; Course and seminar organizers; Internet web sites
Index 185

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