Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips

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Seun (m)
Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« on: September 23, 2007, 04:29 PM »

For a comedy to work it must be grounded in reality.  All the elements of the story that are not realistic should be funny, and any elements that are not funny should be realistic.  The worst thing that can happen to a comedy is when people want to laugh but they are thinking, "this is stupid".  Don't let them think!  Do you have any tips of your own?
adjain (m)
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #1 on: September 24, 2007, 03:31 PM »

I think I have a post of my own.
When acting out a comedy, your facial expression is important.
You should have a comical expression on your face.
Way I see it, if the guys watching do not laugh b'because of your act, then they can laugh b'because of your face.

What thinkest thou??
Seun (m)
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #2 on: December 11, 2007, 09:13 AM »

I agree with you adjian.  The way you present your joke as important as the words of the joke.

Here's a formula for joke writing followed by many professional comedians:
Quote
a good joke format to start out with is setup/punchline/tag. The setup is the premise of the joke, or everything about the joke right before they laugh. The punchline is, well, the punchline. This is the line that brings the laughter. The tag is the punchline after the punchline, which is usually a snippy line to bring in some more laughs. I’ll illustrate this format with an example.

Setup: I was buying wood the other day. The cashier wasn’t wearing a shirt, and her tits were sticking out. She then asks if that’s all the wood I have.

Punchline: I told her, “no, I’ve got 3 inches of oak I’m hiding in my pants.”

Tag: So I whipped it out and she had the biggest, sexiest smile on her face…right before she burst into laughter.

Ok, that wasn’t a good joke. But you should get the basic idea of how to set up a joke.
http://www.43things.com/entries/view/2360789

Setup, punchline, tag.
hayan (m)
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #3 on: December 11, 2007, 11:32 AM »

A good comedy must be natural. You shouldn't act comedy! Great comedy writer's like AristophAnes used the political; social; and econic situation of the then ancient Greek to write great comedies and that's why his comedies has not been surpassed. Writer's like shakespeare also used real occurences i.e. his comedy of error, to make his comedy. She stoops to conquer of Goldsmith is another good one.
A good comediean must look comic, i.e frank Spencer and Mr bean etc. Baba Suwe also used to be a very good comic actor, in some of his early films from bayowa stable his facial expression only will make people roll on the floor, I can remember a film i watched at the national theatre in the 90's, can't remember the title now. He sneaked inside to stael a meat from the stew in a hospital, his look alone made everybody laughed. The laughter was so much that tehy have to pause the paly for some minutes. Nowadays, what we have as comedy in Nigeria are rubish. But guys are still doing great things on Stage.
Good comedies are found on stages now. Plays from prof femi Osofisan and other scholars taht truly understand the art!
imoh82
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #4 on: December 12, 2007, 01:17 PM »

really different cultures have different things which sound funny to them. i was hanging out with a british guy the other day and we got talking so he showed me a clip of a british stand up. while he rolled in laughter almost choking i on the other hand didnt think it was amazingly funny. when writing comedy you have to check out who the intended audience is. if it's something to be localised write Nigerian but an international comedy needs the words to be spoken in a universal way. but in scenarios like that physical comedies are safer like Mr.Bean etc
Ka (m)
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #5 on: December 14, 2007, 10:19 PM »

Seun,

Catchphrases can be used a lot for comedic effect - although I think they should be the flavour rather than the main meal.

Also, good development of characters can do a lot for comedy. Sometimes, we laugh not because what is being said is funny but because of who is saying it. In fact, sometimes we become so familiar with the character's foibles and eccentricities that we laugh even before he has done anything, just as we laugh amongst friends who may not be saying anything particularly funny.

NANYA1887
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #6 on: December 15, 2007, 01:29 PM »

COMEDY, hmmmmmm,to some its an excuse to be annoying,overbearing and abusive.To others its an act,a profession that helps put people in deir best mood ever and show them d humourous side of life!Very therapautic for me!
     Best tip?DONT FORCE IT,if its not in you den its not.
ohh P.S:DONT EVER MAKE JOKES ABOUT STAMMERERs,not only is it derrogatory,its sooooooooooooo OVER RATED!
Bodiga (m)
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #7 on: December 18, 2007, 05:34 PM »

well I go say na u talk so  Lips sealed
Bodiga (m)
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #8 on: December 18, 2007, 05:34 PM »

well I go say na u talk so  Lips sealed abi

bodiga
bikokwe (m)
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #9 on: December 31, 2007, 03:43 PM »

what matters in comedy
1.story line
2.gesticulations
3.coherence
4.suspense
5.stage management
6.use of surrounding material[things around to form the joke]
7.targeted audience[important because what happen among them would sound more funny than something they have hardly experience
8.current/latest gist
9.Experience e.t.c
Damon410
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #10 on: January 12, 2008, 07:32 PM »

 Cool u just need 2 include farts
Damon410
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #11 on: January 12, 2008, 07:34 PM »

Damon
   
        it definetly needs a funny arguement Cool
Damon410
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #12 on: January 12, 2008, 07:40 PM »

 Grin heres a funny story NO1

lom1.wps
* lom1.wps (9.5 KB - downloaded )
Damon410
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #13 on: January 12, 2008, 07:41 PM »

 Grin  and heres the second 1

lom2.wps
* lom2.wps (16.5 KB - downloaded )
ekajsenil4
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #14 on: January 12, 2008, 07:57 PM »

tip number 1. u always av to  use stuff that people find rude u can even use dirty bodys Cool Shocked
Damon410
Re: Writing Funny Stories: Comedy Tips
« #15 on: January 12, 2008, 07:58 PM »

r dey funny
Cheesy lol
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