Writing A Great Script Fast: Step 19 Humor

Learn how to add funny moments and humor to your film or story. Based on the book "Developing Digital Short Films" (2004 Peachpit) by Sherri Sheridan from www.MindsEyeMedia.com.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• screenwriting
• free
• class.
• DV
• filmmaking
• animation
• script

[rinpoche1]

I thought one of the funnies films ever was "the lIfe Aquatic with Steve Zissou". Everything was just ridiculous and over the top with Murray's nonchalant style. This created a juxtaposition that I found hilarious.

[MyFlik1]

All of Wes Anderson's films have the same quirky humor style. When you think about it, all great comedians have their own style too, along with funny characters or shows. Make a list of what you think is funny from your favorite films and then mix them together to create your own distinct comedy style.

[aftereight01]

I like the way humor was used in The Silence of the Lambs. Examples: Starling: Questions Lector about how Miggs swallowed his tongue the night before. Lector: 'Not anymore'. Creepy but Lector is amused and Starling is appauled. Lector: tell me mom where will it tickle you Senator is appauled at the creepy joke. I thought these were funny: Lector: thrill me with your acumen Lector: the newspapers wont say Lector: people will say we are in love Buffalo Bill 'tucking' was amusing.

[MyFlik1]

You are on the right track studying films that are like the one you want to make. Borrow the best ideas and reuse them with your own story in a new way. Look at taking your favorite humor moments from all the top horror movies and see where you can put them into your own film.

Notice how Lector's twisted sense of humor and mirthful attitude make us like him more even though he kills and eats people. Great character identification and humor for a serial killer character.

[MyFlik1]

I read about 10 books on how to write funny scripts and none of them worked for me very well. Then while watching Ace Ventura I started to see humor techniques being repeated. Then I started seeing these same techniques in every funny movie and they were easy to change a little to fit with other film ideas I was developing. Creating original humor comes from doing what you suggested - looking at situations that make you laugh in your own life and putting them in a story. Humor is tricky!

[KaleidoKat]

Oooh, I completely see what you're saying. Study like take things from around you, movies, films. That makes sense. I thought it meant pick up a book like "how to be funny for dummies".

[MyFlik1]

I get what you are saying and I use to think the same thing until I started teaching story to 1000's of people. Reading books on how to make films funny did not help teach it for me, but breaking down funny films did reveal patterns anyone can use. If you create a funny looking character, you will get a little laugh each time it appears. Pushing everything a character does to the extreme is also funny. I came up with over 200 funny techniques that when used in layers make a very funny film!

[KaleidoKat]

Thank you for the help, but I'm going to disagree with you on some points (no offense meant whatsoever! I'm no professional).

I don't think you can ever "study" humor. People who TRY to be humorous end up sounding overly forced. I say, if you want to be funny have fun (wow that's really helpful huh?). When it's forced, it sounds cheesy. Just go with situations you've laughed at before in your normal life.