Seven Steps to Writing a Comedy Film

Steve's Digicams reports:

"As with any type of movie, there is a screenwriting process to writing a comedy film. While there is a [storyline] to follow, the key is to amuse the audience throughout the entire film...Don't save everything, but include your best jokes. Also, be aware that there does not have to be a joke every other line. Use jokes effectively. Balance out the content with humor to create a great story that is also funny. It is okay to use some classic jokes as well with your new material...When writing a comedy, it is not recommended that you start watching a lot of comedy movies. Many times the subconscious will include jokes from those movies. Unlike other movies, try to distance yourself from other comedies. However, diagramming out how popular comedy movies work can be a good exercise. So, before any writing occurs, watch a few and diagram out the different stages, storylines and where the jokes occur. Or, go and study a famous comedian or character as a mentor when you need some help...As with all jokes, the timing is exceedingly important in a comedy movie. In order to get the most laughs...the jokes should be delivered at the proper time. Being off by a second can make or break the joke. If it is not funny at first, try changing when or how the joke is spoken...Write a lot as the best comics will have reams of paper for a few great jokes. Try to write with a specific person in [mind] and compose jokes at the oddest of times...It can help to duplicate others['] styles, but change the content of the joke. It is okay to take the audience down one path only to have it go in a completely different direction. This can make for some great twists and turns in the [storyline]...Researching topics can help the story along as well as develop different jokes or odd points of view that can be funny. Ask questions about different topics and make sure you completely understand the topic you are writing about...Think about who you are writing the movie for. Jokes for an R[-]rated movie will be different from those that can be found in a PG or PG-13 film. It is important that individuals of all ages will find the jokes funny...Once it is done, if you do not think it is a funny script, then no one else will. Yes, you will know when the jokes are coming, but if it doesn't make you laugh, then you have not written a comedy."