This is Part 5 of our Mastering the Art of Screenwriting series.
Start from the beginning here!
Introduction
It’s no secret that comedy is the trickiest genre to write. Yes, every joke, pun, moment of comedy timing and punchline may seem effortless on screen, but every line must be planned, drafted, tested like no other genre.
It all comes down to humor and making an audience laugh. But what actually makes a joke funny? How do you use humor that will make everyone laugh?
In today’s article, we’ll be delving into the funny, funnier and funniest as we explore everything from the different types of comedy, what makes them funny, and how to structure your comedy script to include both visual and spoken comedy.
It wouldn’t be a Celtx blog if we didn’t share some moments from our favorite comedies of recent years, and how you can replicate their styles for yourself, as well as avoid common pitfalls that have befallen many comedy writers that have come before.
So sit back and relax as we take a trip into the world of comedy writing…
What makes a script funny?
The trickiest element about comedy is its subjectiveness. Not all jokes are funny to everyone, and not all characters will amuse all us film lovers. However, there are certain principles to comedy that underpin the craft of writing jokes, scenes and characters that resonate with audiences.
Comedy comes in many types, each with its own techniques and audience appeal. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular, and some of the best examples from the best comedies around.
Satire
Satire uses humor to criticize or mock societal norms, politics, or human behavior. Relying on exaggeration and irony, satire reveals the truths about its subjects.
Saturday Night Live (1985 to Present) often targets current affairs and culture in its sketches that blend absurdity with poignant commentary. Check out one of our favorite satire SNL skits:
In this skit, young girls want nothing to do with Mattel’s latest President Barbie doll, complete with a smartphone that features Snap Chat. The subject matter makes fun of toy companies who are trying to empower young girls by just releasing more dolls. The coinciding social commentary is one of disdain for said toy companies’ lack of understanding around the toys children actually want to play with.Want to hear more about why SNL is a stalwart of comedy writing? Check out our dedicated 50th anniversary blog post for all things SNL history!
Situational Comedy
More fondly known as the sit-com, situational comedy arises from specific circumstances and the characters’ reactions to them. Sit-com is usually set in one place, exploiting the humor of the location and its characters.
The humor of The Office US (2005-2013) centers mainly in the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company’s Scranton office, showcasing mundane workplace scenarios spiraling into hilariously awkward situations.
But where The Office excels is in the characters’ exaggerated inability to navigate the everyday challenges put in front of them, which all of us can relate to.
Dwight and Jim’s child-like rivalry throughout the show’s nearly 10-year run is one of the most beloved comedy relationships in history. The “stapler in Jello” situation is one of the classics:
As a Brit, it would be improper for me to ignore the origins of this moment from the first iteration of The Office (2001-2003).
The audience rivalry between the UK and US Offices will go down in history as one of the most prolific. For more on battles between the modern sitcom and their counterparts, click here.
Slapstick
Exaggerated actions and physical comedy are the bread and butter of slapstick, relying on visual gags, clumsiness and absurdity for laughs.
Dumb and Dumber (1994) is a prime example of slapstick comedy, where characters find themselves in ludicrous situations that lead to hilarious physical mishaps. Check out the chaotic but highly entertaining restaurant scene:
Due to its physical nature, slapstick often transcends language barriers. Think Mr Bean, who doesn’t speak, but has enjoyed wide global appeal.
Irony
Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, often leading to humorous outcomes. Think Parks and Recreation (2009-2015), a show that utilizes irony through character dynamics and the absurdity of local government. It’s a character driven show with much conflict and hilarity.
Here’s Ron Swanson and his new desk, which he aimed to help with accessibility. The ironic thing is… it just made things worse.
Absurdity
The absurd thrives on bizarre and surreal situations that defy logic. Anchorman (2004) is a masterclass in absurdity, with each of the characters embodying over-the-top personalities. They’re placed in the most outlandish of situations, and what results is chaos, and a whole lot of laughs!
The fight scene is one of our stand-out moments from the movie:
Deadpan
Delivered with a straight face, deadpan humor contrasts serious delivery with absurd content. Asteroid City (2023) blends deadpan with surreal situations to create a unique comedic tone.
Here, we see that the humor often arises from the characters’ nonchalant reactions to the most outrageous events. In this scene, an atom bomb is tested, with little reaction.
While you can combine different types of comedy into your script, it’s important to be clear on what stands out for your story. For example, is it a slapstick comedy that relies on physical humor, with a little deadpan thrown in? Or does the humor stem mainly from satire, and the physical comedy adds a little extra flavor?
The structure of a comedy script
The three-act structure is the most common structure for a movie script, while TV shows may rely more on the five-act structure to develop character and plot arcs over a longer period of time. It’s important to say that structure is a preference that many writers develop over time.
If you’re starting out on your first script, we recommend sticking with three-acts, each serving as setup, escalation and payoff.
For Act One, you’ll need to introduce your characters, their goals, and the world they inhabit, as well as the comedic premise and tone. Think of Act One as the springboard into your story.
In Act Two, the situation needs to escalate, with your characters facing more outrageous and hilarious situations.
Act Three is the payoff, where you resolve the conflict in a surprising or funny way, giving your audience a satisfying ending.
The three-act structure is a solid framework to get started. Check out our complete guide to the three-act structure and how to use it to create a compelling narrative for any genre!
Top Tips for Pacing and Comedic Timing
Keep it Tight
Trim any unnecessary dialogue or scenes that don’t serve your jokes.
Use Beats
Establish comedic beats to create rhythm, allowing moments for your audience to laugh. Our Celtx beat sheet can help you map these out easily!
COMEDY WRITING: Every Script Deserves a Good Beating || ScriptMag.com
Vary the Pace
Mix fast-paced dialogue with slower moments for dramatic effect to keep your story as dynamic as possible.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021) does pacing extremely well. Take Amy and Jake’s blossoming relationship. Most of their scenes are filled with quick-fire witty dialogue that often results in Jake winding Amy up.
When Jake proposed to Amy in Season 5, we build up to the moment with the same fast-paced dialogue and an even more chaotic episode as a whole, eventually slowing to allow for the proposal and subsequent emotional moment to happen.
Not only does this keep us engaged all the way up to the pivotal moment, but the dramatic dip in pace takes us by surprise, leaning us into the proposal itself, making it extremely impactful. Amy herself reflects the audience’s surprise, in keeping with her character.
The show uses the classic comedy character (love alliteration!) tropes and twists them into something completely new. While Jake Peralta is introduced as a typically charming yet reckless detective, as we spend time with him, we see him gradually grow and navigate the more serious situations, especially in his bond with Amy.
Creating comedic characters
Speaking of characters… let’s take a look at how you can create your own compelling and relatable characters for your comedy. For this genre in particular, characters need to have distinct personalities that either clash or complement each other.
Pairing characters with opposing traits can create comedic tension and laugh-out-loud moments. For example, pitting Leslie Knope’s uptight nature with Ron Swanson’s deadpan, straight-talking one in Parks and Recreation.
Other examples include Dwight and Jim in The Office, and Ted and Robin in How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014).
Ensemble casts who drive each other up the wall and help each other out of tight corners in equal measure, can make for effective comedy tension. These work particularly well for TV comedies, such as Arrested Development, where the quirks and rivalries of everyone in the dysfunctional family create endless comedic possibilities that resonate with audiences.
Arrested Development is also a prime example of how to subvert comedic expectations. The writers employed a layered narrative within the show, the setups leading to unexpected punchlines both in the characters and plot.
For example, the family dynamics are completely opposite to what we’d expect. The Bluths are constantly backstabbing and undermining one another, leading to unexpected outcomes, keeping the audience on their toes.
There’s no need to overthink creating your comedy characters with our blog on Developing Your Characters which includes a handy questionnaire for all your character needs.
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Writing sharp, witty dialogue
Snappy dialogue is crucial in a comedy to keep your audience on their toes. Too much long-winded and complicated dialogue can leave them confused and sometimes bored.
When writing your own dialogue, it’s crucial to ensure it carries comedic weight, exudes character and pushes the story forward.
Make sure your dialogue is brief and eliminate any unnecessary words; comedy thrives on brevity! Also consider the rhythm of how each of your characters speak. Short, punchy lines often yield the best results.
Ensure your characters engage in back-and-forth exchanges, bouncing banter between them that highlights their personalities.
Take JD and Dr. Cox’s mentor-mentee relationship from Scrubs (2001-2010) is the ultimate battle of wit, with JD’s idealistic and goofy outlook as the intern battling against Dr. Cox’s more experienced, yet jaded and sarcastic approach. The clash between these two characters gives us both hilarious and heartfelt moments.
The suave, self-centered lawyer in Jeff against Abed’s quirky love of pop culture also makes for some great comedy in Community (2009-2015)
Visual comedy and physical humor
Combining visual comedy and physical humor can elevate a script, adding layers of comedy beyond dialogue. We’ve already talked about blending different types of humor, but how can you find the right balance without overwhelming the narrative?
Using brief but vivid descriptions to set the scene for physical gags can paint a strong picture that invites humor. Align these action lines with the scene’s pacing; a well-timed visual gag can produce laughter without dialogue at all.
In the classic Dumb and Dumber, we see a constant stream of visual gags, from outrageous outfits to ridiculous physical hijinks. The restaurant scene we showed earlier on is a great example of how dialogue isn’t necessary to generate laughs!
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
We know comedy is one of the trickiest genres to write, and that comes with unfortunate pitfalls that sometimes catch us out. But never fear – here’s what to look out for as you start to develop your next comedy screenplay:
Avoid cliches
The age-old advice to strive for originality in your humor will always ring true. Avoid overused jokes that you’ve heard one hundred times before!
Don’t try too hard
If you feel like you’re forcing your jokes, it’s probable they won’t land how you want them to. Let your characters and the situations you put them in naturally create the humor.
Also, don’t overexplain your jokes and trust your audience to understand the punchline.
Limit cringe or second-hand embarrassment
While cringe can add a different sense of humor to your comedy, it should never overwhelm the narrative. Balance it with relatable moments to ensure it truly resonates with your audience.
As with all screenplays, we highly recommend doing a full revision and edit of your script, before sending it out for feedback. As you revise, identify all the jokes that fall flat, and improve or replace them accordingly. Also test out the timing of your jokes on yourself and others to gauge a reaction.
Eliminating unnecessary dialogue can also do your script the world of good.
Conclusion
Writing comedy is a delicate balance of structure, character development, and timing. By understanding different types of humor, mastering the three-act structure, and crafting distinct comedic characters, you can create a script that resonates with audiences.
Remember, the best comedy often lies in surprising the audience, embracing the absurd, and, most importantly, having fun. Here at Celtx, we’re here to help you do exactly that!
If you love learning about writing scripts in different genres, check out the rest of our series:
- Part 1: Mastering the Art of Screenwriting
- Part 2: From Dreams to Screams: How to Write a Horror Script
- Part 3: From Dreams to Screams: How to Write a Horror Script, Part 2
- Part 4: Beyond the Stars: How to Write a Science Fiction Script
- Part 6: From Tears to Triumphs: How to Write a Drama Script
- Part 7: From Meet-Cutes to Happy Endings: How to Write a Rom-Com Script
