Smoking Page 2

Quote: Gully @ November 19 2008, 7:11 PM GMT

Working on a sub plot for my sitcom, with a character trying to give up smoking.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to extend the storyline or just funny jokes about it (i love that green wing episode where Caroline needs a cigarette but her lighter doesn't work, so she rips up her cigarette only to find her lighter working afterwards)

But an extended storyline would be great, not afraid to go a bit wacky!

Thanks

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Sorry, Gully, but this is one of the most over-used, predictable and generally unfunny sub-plots you can use. The jokes are almost never funny on this subject. If you want an abstinence sub-plot then have your character try and give-up insulin/ordering decorative plates/mini-squid in tins/a prostitute who dresses-up as 'Little Orphan Annie'... anything other than smoking. It no longer resonates... All the best.

Why is it legal for actors to smoke indoors (their place of work) when they're filming something where the character smokes?

Do writers put extra smoking scenes in things just so they can smoke at work?

I thought that too. Mind you, isn't a lot of stuff that's on now, still filmed from before the smoking ban and only just finishing off now? It's a long, old cycle, isn't it?

Dan

Do people still smoke? How passe.

Quote: Tim Walker @ November 20 2008, 3:17 AM GMT

Sorry, Gully, but this is one of the most over-used, predictable and generally unfunny sub-plots you can use.

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Though the whole Jen smoking sub-plot was very amusing in the IT Crowd. About how difficult it is to smoke now, rather than trying to give up though.

An old subplot done differently can be the most surprising thing ever.

Check out Father Ted's reinvigorating of old stories.

thanks for the suggestions, i think i will go with the smoking - introduces the character personality well. I thought i would have him go into a drugs support clinic with the camera going round the table with people explaining there addictions, then they all get angry with the character for his more minor addiction, and he defends himself comically etc..

I have much more solid main storyline as well now

i was sitting in on a film shoot at Bournemouth University the other day and they were smoking in the studio (obviously only the actors) It was my job to light the cigarettes for them! Its so exiting smoking indoors now! They also brought a car into the studio!

thanks

Quote: Gully @ November 20 2008, 2:35 PM GMT

then they all get angry with the character for his more minor addiction, and he defends himself comically etc..

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Maybe a funnier minor addiction might be something like nail biting, su doku, werther's originals, thumb sucking? Then you've got scope for a more original and potentially more comic scenario?

Maybe you could use the incident where he is desparate for a cig and asks someone for one. The 'someone' shows him a packet of cigs on which is written
'f**k off buy your own
they cost 40p each'

They actually sell those stickers at joke shops and when affixed look as if it has been printed on originally by the cig company.
It happened to me and I just split my sides laughing. I still got a free cig though