My best tip would be,"do stand up." I know that involves a lot of sweaty palms and vomiting (and that's just the audience) but nothing will sharpen your writing better than performing live.
we are not taking submissions just now but when we were I could tell from the first few lines who had done live comedy and who hadn't.
Have a good New Year folks.
John
Purple Comedy
Yep standup is an at times brutal tutor on what does and doesn't work.
Even with News Revue, the top notch actors/directors and occaisonal edit by them can cover over the writers own faults.
There's no tutor like a silent audience.
alright, here's one Paul Mendelson gave me many years ago on scriptwriting.
When you are near to finishing for the day always finish half way through a scene. That way you can hit the ground running the next day rather than staring at the tyranny of a blank page and wondering how to kick it off.
That's a very good one. Cheers.
Quote: Marc P @ December 29 2008, 10:22 AM GMTWhen you are near to finishing for the day always finish half way through a scene. That way you can hit the ground running the next day rather than staring at the tyranny of a blank page and wondering how to kick it off.
Oh I like that one.
Quote: oldcowgrazing @ December 29 2008, 11:22 AM GMTOh I like that one.
I think the natural urge when you are on a bit of a roll is to finish the scene and sit back with a sense of accomplishment. If you resist it you can carry that 'bit of a roll' forward to get you going next day.
I used to beat him at racquetball mind!
Quote: Marc P @ December 29 2008, 11:26 AM GMTI think the natural urge when you are on a bit of a roll is to finish the scene and sit back with a sense of accomplishment. If you resist it you can carry that 'bit of a roll' forward to get you going next day.
I used to beat him at racquetball mind!
Fully rounded characters are at the heart of all great writing, so get out more and meet people. All sorts of people. And then listen to them. Analyse what they say, what they do, what you think they really feel and why. Think about what you say, do, feel and think.
I like the idea of calling it a day half way through a good scene.
Quote: Marc P @ December 29 2008, 10:22 AM GMTalright, here's one Paul Mendelson gave me many years ago on scriptwriting.
When you are near to finishing for the day always finish half way through a scene. That way you can hit the ground running the next day rather than staring at the tyranny of a blank page and wondering how to kick it off.
Thank's most helpful, I can't be the only person here to hit writers block.
Quote: Griff @ December 29 2008, 11:48 AM GMTNice tip Marc but it sounds tough. If I've actually got "into the zone" on writing a scene, the self-discipline required to walk away and leave it would be incredible. Like trying to leaving a pint half-finished. But I will try.
I'll go with ... USE FEWER ADVERBS. Not only does Stephen King bang on about this in his book On Writing but it was one of the first things they mentioned in the sketch writing workshop at Recorded For Training Purposes.
Adverbs should be definitively, actively, clearly, indisputably avoided.
Where exactly would that leave Black Adder?
Quote: Marc P @ December 29 2008, 11:26 AM GMTI think the natural urge when you are on a bit of a roll is to finish the scene and sit back with a sense of accomplishment. If you resist it you can carry that 'bit of a roll' forward to get you going next day.
I used to beat him at racquetball mind!
Well if he's wandering out of the match half way through, to refresh for the next day...
Oh another tip from the untidy mind of Sootyj.
If you're going to be gross, controversial or shocking do it for a purpose. It's virtually never funny in and of it's self.
WRITE, REWRITE AND POLISH BEFORE SENDING IT OUT.
Write a scene (or scenes) in full flow.
Then go back and get rid of any unwanted stage directions, cut any superfluous dialogue, rewrite anything that doesn't quite work, and trim, trim, trim.
Then leave it.
Then write more and do the same.
Then go through the whole script again and polish it further.
What I usually do with a completed script is NOT to send it away. I leave it for a few days, then go back to it with fresh eyes and polish it further. (OPTIONAL)
The moral of this story is to perfect your work before sending it out.
Quote: Marc P @ December 29 2008, 10:22 AM GMTalright, here's one Paul Mendelson gave me many years ago on scriptwriting.
When you are near to finishing for the day always finish half way through a scene. That way you can hit the ground running the next day rather than staring at the tyranny of a blank page and wondering how to kick it off.
Graham Greene said a similar thing about novel-writing. Apparently he always stopped a day's writing half-way through a sentence.
My top ten tips for what they're worth...
1) Only ever write what you think is funny, not what you think others might find funny.
2) Carry a notepad and pen or dictaphone with you wherever you go.
3) Watch people. Listen to them. Notice what they're saying and how they say it. I always feel the best writers are also the best listeners.
4) Unplug the internet for one whole day every week - you'll be amazed at how much more work you get done.
5) Never get excited about anything until you've been paid.
6) Expect failure, for it will come to you many, many times.
7) Read your script out loud. It's amazing how words that sound perfectly reasonable in your head sound ridiculous coming from your mouth.
8) Go to industry workshops etc. Get to know other writers and people involved in the industry. Be prepared for a fair few of these people to be wankers. Stay in touch with the good ones.
9) Don't stop writing, no matter how many knockbacks you get. You will get better with every new thing you write.
9) Above all, be nice to everybody. Comedy has enough arseholes without you adding to the list.
LOLs at #4, but makes mental note to try it. Just not today.
Yeah well, he only asked for A tip!