Scriptwriting (Comedy)
Step 1: Watch this video on writing good comedy.
Step 2: Brainstorming
Make a list of funny stories, jokes, or images that you have seen on TV or YouTube, at the movies, in books. Share your ideas with the class. Discuss why some of these are funny and some are not. What makes something funny? What strategies that were used to help make the jokes or stories they shared humorous.
Make a list of funny stories, jokes, or images that you have seen on TV or YouTube, at the movies, in books. Share your ideas with the class. Discuss why some of these are funny and some are not. What makes something funny? What strategies that were used to help make the jokes or stories they shared humorous.
Step 3: Read Comedy
Read “Travails of Adolescence? He’s Been There” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20070105friday.html),
Answer the following questions:
1. Who is Lil’ J J?
2. How did James Lewis become famous?
3. Why do you think visiting his hometown of Little Rock, Ark. keeps Mr. Lewis grounded?
4. To what other shows can “Just Jordan” be compared? Why? Consider the formula of having two constant companions, for example.
5. What factors help motivate Mr. Lewis to keep his comedy clean?
6. Why do audiences find Mr. Lewis’s comedy appealing?
7. Would you watch this show? Why or why not?
8. How would your life work if your parents “would just stay out of the way”?
Read “Travails of Adolescence? He’s Been There” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20070105friday.html),
Answer the following questions:
1. Who is Lil’ J J?
2. How did James Lewis become famous?
3. Why do you think visiting his hometown of Little Rock, Ark. keeps Mr. Lewis grounded?
4. To what other shows can “Just Jordan” be compared? Why? Consider the formula of having two constant companions, for example.
5. What factors help motivate Mr. Lewis to keep his comedy clean?
6. Why do audiences find Mr. Lewis’s comedy appealing?
7. Would you watch this show? Why or why not?
8. How would your life work if your parents “would just stay out of the way”?
Step 3: Write your comedy sketch
Brainstorm topics relating to school or being young (a tween, teenager, etc.). Then decide on a topic for your comedy sketch. You can use any or all of the following in your sketch:
Make sure that you can identify the following things in your comedy sketch.
-What is the subject of your humorous piece?
-What would an audience expect to hear about this subject?
-What aspect of this subject can you alter to make it different or unexpected?
-How might you change the details of your topic to make it funny?
Brainstorm topics relating to school or being young (a tween, teenager, etc.). Then decide on a topic for your comedy sketch. You can use any or all of the following in your sketch:
- satire: making fun of something, usually a bad habit
- metaphor: a comparison of unlike things
- simile: a comparison using “like” or “as”
- hyperbole: to exaggerate and make bigger or larger than reality
Make sure that you can identify the following things in your comedy sketch.
-What is the subject of your humorous piece?
-What would an audience expect to hear about this subject?
-What aspect of this subject can you alter to make it different or unexpected?
-How might you change the details of your topic to make it funny?
Step 5: Add Technical Aspects
In your script begin to add in actor actions and camera movements/ placement.
Step 6: Production
Shoot your comedy sketch
1. Create a production schedule. What days will you shoot, re-shoot, edit which parts of your scene?
2. Make sure your actors and crew are familiar with their specific jobs/lines.
3. Identify proper locations for your scene and make sure they are available.
4. Check out proper video and audio equipment for your scene.
5. Shoot your scene.
Step 7: Post- Production
Edit your comedy sketch
1. Make sure all footage is imported and labeled properly in your folder.
2. Edit your scene making sure to pay special attention to continuity, audio, and lighting.
3. Add any additional special effects or audio that you need to make your scene professional.
4. Export your scene at H.264.
In your script begin to add in actor actions and camera movements/ placement.
Step 6: Production
Shoot your comedy sketch
1. Create a production schedule. What days will you shoot, re-shoot, edit which parts of your scene?
2. Make sure your actors and crew are familiar with their specific jobs/lines.
3. Identify proper locations for your scene and make sure they are available.
4. Check out proper video and audio equipment for your scene.
5. Shoot your scene.
Step 7: Post- Production
Edit your comedy sketch
1. Make sure all footage is imported and labeled properly in your folder.
2. Edit your scene making sure to pay special attention to continuity, audio, and lighting.
3. Add any additional special effects or audio that you need to make your scene professional.
4. Export your scene at H.264.
