|
|
MT Elite user 414 Posts |
Anyone got any suggestions?
It could be books, DVDs, CDs, websites. Thanks MT, that's me! |
olivertwist Special user Nashua, NH 588 Posts |
There are many but Steve Taylor's, Humoring Your Dummy, is a good place to start.
|
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
Mark and Ken recommended this during a talk in the conference:
http://www.killerstandup.com/ I think it can help. |
Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
On Ken's strong recommendation I just ordered the Killer Stand-Up system. I'll report back soon.
B |
kidshowvent Elite user 410 Posts |
I'm writing a new book on comdey writing techniques for kidshows which I hope to have out by next spring. I had to take a break from writing due to the ConVENTion. I'll release the title soon! Please watch for it. BTW..did you know the Japanese consider me a "great man"?
Mark markwade@kidshowvent.com |
Steve at The Dummy Shoppe Elite user 479 Posts |
Mark,
Just wanted to say publically that you pulled it off again. I never try to say much at the ConVENTion, because you already have over 500 others who just want (as Terry said) 30 seconds of your time. Thanks so much for another wonderful year. Also, if you will send $5.00 to P.O. Box _ _ _ _, I will agree with the Japanese people - lol. Steve and JET http://www.thedummyshoppe.com |
MT Elite user 414 Posts |
I would love to hear what you think about it Bob.
I find that comedy writing is sooooo important. You can be good at vent and puppet manipulation, but if you recycle already heard lines/jokes and don't have good patter overall it's not going to be a good performance. And yes, Mark Wade is a great man. MT, that's me! |
Marco Koch New user Germany 63 Posts |
I can strongly recommend "Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy" by Greg Dean.
"The New Comedy Writing Step by Step" by Gene Perret (I read the old version...), is also quite good, imho. Marco. |
Budihaha Veteran user Bandung - Indonesia 328 Posts |
Tom Ladshaw recommend Comedy Writing Secrets by Mel Helitzer. He highly recommended anything by Mel Helitzer and Gene Perret.
I'm reading Punch by Tom Ladshaw right now. |
Chatterbox41 Veteran user Atlanta, Georgia 349 Posts |
I have found "The Comedy Bible" by Judy Carter to be a very good book on writing comedy. Also the Killer Stand-Up Comedy System, although I found I got more out of it after I had some experience. Taylor Mason's "Complete Idiot's Guide To Ventriloquism" appears to be very good and is geared towards the ventriloquist. If you've ever seen Taylor perform stand-up or vent, you know he's a credible source and he makes a point of writing everyday.
Gary |
CaptKirk Loyal user 263 Posts |
Make yourself a "Joke Journal" and write down ALL the jokes you hear that are funny TO YOU. Then you can review them and adapt them to a routine via a common thread that fits the character of your puppet or figure when using them. The Perret book was recommended to me and I bought it and it is superb. The other fellows have already listed several other options.
|
Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
I'm 3/4 through the writing portion of "Killer Stand-Up." (There's also a performance book.) I think it's very good. The author, Steve Roye, teaches you to write funny routines based on "the truth as you see it." He is not about teaching you to write one formulaic, unconnected joke after another.
If you watch the lesser comics on Comedy Central, they have a topic with about 2-3 jokes and then on to the next unconnected topic: "My girlfriend broke up with me the other day....I said this....she said that...blah blah blaah. How many of you like to go to the movies?" And so forth. The great comics (Carlin, Rock, Klein, Pryor, Cosby) just seem to be talking to you as a friend and saying one funny thing after another. This is the type of writing the Roye strives to teach. He concentrates on making the comedy sound natural and gives specific techniques on writing set-ups, punch lines, and tag lines. He teaches you how to edit and refine a routine to make it tighter and funnier. He gives you exercises to do each step of the way. There is also a performance guide, which I have not read yet. I've read a lot of books about comedy. This is the first that really strives to teach you how to write big chunks of comedy. Admittedly, it is geared to the stand-up, and writing for two is different than writing for one. However, I am already starting to re-work my material to make it funnier. When you go to the web site (killerstandup.com), don't be put off by the long blurb. The system makes sense and works. Bob |
KeithS Elite user 449 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-08-09 17:49, Bob Baker wrote: Exactly. Instead of telling a string of unrelated jokes, these guys are more story tellers who usually make funny social commentary. They are similar in that respect to writers like Mark Twain, which I really appreciate. Thanks again, Bob, for recommending Killer Stand-Up. |
Ony Carcamo Special user Manila, PHILIPPINES 608 Posts |
I have been using the Steve Roye's killer standup writing and performing system for about 6-7 years already and I must say it rocks!
|
Servante Inner circle 1330 Posts |
Comics say funny things.
Comedians say things funny. -Philip |
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Quote:
Comics say funny things. This part - not so much any more.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
MT Elite user 414 Posts |
Speaking of stand up comedians I watched my first 2 live stand up shows ever the last week. It's interesting because some are funnier than others. And just because you try harder doesn't necessarily mean you're funnier.
Pat Fraley said that there were several elements to comedy including timing, misunderstanding, play on words, saying something completely unexpected and so forth. I'm finding that a good comic knows how to emPloy these |
Chatterbox41 Veteran user Atlanta, Georgia 349 Posts |
I actually found a stand-up comedy class near my house. Six weeks of training and then we had a graduation performance at the local comedy club to a sold out show. I learned a lot about comedy in general and now just need to transfer some of that info to dialogue instead of monologue.
Gary |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » I'm a real boy! » » What are some good resources for learning to do comedy writing? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |