Can you teach comedy? Page 2

Quote: Griff @ December 6 2008, 6:56 PM GMT

And to echo myself from the previous thread, I don't think anybody sensible going on a writing course THINKS they are going to be "taught to be funny". That is all.

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True. But I think writers and people who want to be writers have an aptitude and can pick everything up from just observing comedy and reading scripts.

And what can you learn on these courses? Structures? - beginning, middle, end - it's not hard. And if you can't write dialogue, then you probably never will.

I think courses are for people who just don't have it in them to be a writer, and use this type of thing to put it off so they don't have to face the reality.

Quote: Seefacts @ December 6 2008, 7:01 PM GMT

True. But I think writers and people who want to be writers have an aptitude and can pick everything up from just observing comedy and reading scripts.

And what can you learn on these courses? Structures? - beginning, middle, end - it's not hard. And if you can't write dialogue, then you probably never will.

I think courses are for people who just don't have it in them to be a writer, and use this type of thing to put it off so they don't have to face the reality.

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Well I learnt alot from both Mark Blake courses including how to write dialogue (e.g. structures, traditional formats etc).

By the way beginning, middle and end. You worked it out your self.

Seefacts I hate to say it but writings moved on.

It's now all beginning and end, middles are out.

Quote: Griff @ December 6 2008, 7:04 PM GMT

Armstrong and Bain met on a writing course.

Galton and Simpson never did a writing course in their lives.

I found Dave Cohen's sitcom course helpful. If you're saying that means I don't have it in me to be a writer, well that says more about your attitude than my abilities, I think.

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No, but - and I hope you take this the right way - you're a mature guy who's doing lots of other stuff.

I was probably referring to younger, newer people. The type that do Creative Writing at college or something.

There's a breed of people coming through who don't understand HOW the industry works and how you go about operating.

Those damn younger, newer types with their damned creative writing courses.

In your day they'd have national service and a clip around the ear.

Quote: sootyj @ December 6 2008, 7:07 PM GMT

Well I learnt alot from both Mark Blake courses including how to write dialogue (e.g. structures, traditional formats etc).

By the way beginning, middle and end. You worked it out your self.

Seefacts I hate to say it but writings moved on.

It's now all beginning and end, middles are out.

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How to write dialogue. I don't think that can be taught. There are a lot of writers who actually work in telly who CAN'T write dialogue, and I think it's a skill that's natural.

Quote: Griff @ December 6 2008, 7:09 PM GMT

Plus, don't forget prequels.

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Prequels also gone, it's been replaced by surprise, comedy, nude musical.

I imagine courses do help some people; personally I've never done one, or read a 'how-to' book, and it doesn't seem to have hurt me.

Quote: Seefacts @ December 6 2008, 7:09 PM GMT

How to write dialogue. I don't think that can be taught. There are a lot of writers who actually work in telly who CAN'T write dialogue, and I think it's a skill that's natural.

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I'm intrigued because I learnt it and I know others who have.

Your not mistaking comedy writer for Jedi Knight are you?

Aparently the BBC is running a surprise, comedy, nude musical college.

I'm sending in 5.

Quote: sootyj @ December 6 2008, 7:12 PM GMT

I'm intrigued because I learnt it and I know others who have.

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Though that, to be fair, is only your opinion; perhaps your dialogue is actually rubbish? And I'm not saying it is Sooty! Ok! Just that these things are personal opinion, you obviously think you've been taught how to write better dialogue, and perhaps you have.

Quote: sootyj @ December 6 2008, 7:12 PM GMT

I'm intrigued because I learnt it

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Says who?

Quote: Griff @ December 6 2008, 7:13 PM GMT

That's a fair point also. I'm not saying courses are for everyone. Just defending my right to go on one without being labelled a loser for having done so.

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Loser. I mean-quite right!

Quote: Griff @ December 6 2008, 7:13 PM GMT

Damn. I need another course. I'm way out of date again.

That's a fair point also. I'm not saying courses are for everyone. Just defending my right to go on one without being labelled a loser for having done so.

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Not a loser no, but YOU are a realist and a down to earth writer. For others, I think it's a bad idea.

Anyway, no more from me!

Quote: Seefacts @ December 6 2008, 7:15 PM GMT

Anyway, no more from me!

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Come on . . . you know you want to . . .

Quote: Griff @ December 6 2008, 7:15 PM GMT

Aparently the BBC is running a surprise, comedy, nude musical college.

Sooty I think you're getting the BBC confused with this lot:

http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2008/12/04/7924/comedy_audition_was_a_front_for_porn

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Those buggers said I couldn't sing.