The Comic Toolbox

1. Comedy Springs from Truth and Pain

COMEDY IS TRUTH AND PAIN.

The human condition. Comedy isn't just about jokes; it's rooted in the shared experiences of truth and pain. Whether it's the sting of lost love, the absurdity of social situations, or the fear of death, humor arises from acknowledging these fundamental aspects of the human condition. Jokes resonate when they tap into these shared truths, allowing us to laugh at the things that also make us ache.

Examples of truth and pain:

• A clown getting a pie in the face: We feel empathy for their humiliation, but also recognize the potential for it to happen to anyone.
• Adam and Eve joke: Highlights the problematic nature of relations between the sexes.
• Lucille Ball in the candy factory: Shows situations can get out of hand and we pay for our failures.

Universality is key. The most effective comedy speaks to universal truths and pains, making it relatable to a wide audience. While specific references may vary, the underlying emotions and experiences remain consistent.

2. Risk Failure to Unleash Your Comic Potential

To my mind, the will to risk is a tool, and like other tools, it can be learned and understood and mastered.

Embrace failure. The fear of failure often stifles creativity. Overcoming this fear requires a willingness to risk, to put yourself out there, and to accept that not every joke will land. The "will to risk" is a tool that can be developed, allowing you to experiment and push boundaries without the crippling weight of self-doubt.

Bogus thinking. False assumptions and faulty associations often sabotage our attempts at humor. We assume our jokes won't work, that people won't like them, and that this reflects poorly on us as individuals. This kind of thinking needs to be eradicated.

Strategies to overcome fear:

• Kill your ferocious editor: Silence the inner critic that stifles creativity.
• Embrace the rule of nine: Accept that most jokes will fail, liberating you from the pressure of perfection.
• Lower your sights: Focus on the task at hand, not the ultimate outcome.
• Positive reinforcement: Applaud small victories to build confidence.

3. The Comic Premise: Where Real and Funny Collide

The comic premise is the gap between comic reality and real reality.

Defining the gap. The comic premise is the foundation of all humor, representing the space between what is expected and what actually occurs. It's the difference between our everyday reality and the skewed, exaggerated version presented in a joke, story, or character. Identifying this gap is the first step in creating effective comedy.

Types of comic conflict:

• Global conflict: A normal character in a comic world (e.g., Marty McFly in Back to the Future) or a comic character in a normal world (e.g., Mork from Ork).
• Local conflict: Battles between individuals, either a comic character versus a normal character (e.g., Mork and Mindy) or comic characters in opposition (e.g., Felix and Oscar in The Odd Couple).
• Inner conflict: A character at war with themselves, often involving a transformation (e.g., Michael Dorsey becoming Dorothy Michaels in Tootsie).

Exploiting the gap. By understanding the different types of comic conflict, you can create situations that maximize the comedic potential of your premise. The richest comedy often involves all three types of conflict interwoven together.

4. Crafting Comic Characters with Perspective, Flaws, and Heart

The heart and soul of any comic character is his STRONG COMIC PERSPECTIVE.

Strong comic perspective. The foundation of any memorable comic character is their unique way of seeing the world, a perspective that deviates significantly from the norm. This perspective acts as a filter through which they experience events, driving their actions and reactions.

Building blocks of a comic character:

• Comic perspective: A unique, skewed worldview.
• Exaggeration: Amplifying traits to create larger-than-life personalities.
• Flaws: Imperfections that create distance and allow for humor.
• Humanity: Qualities that make the character relatable and sympathetic.

Synergy is key. The most compelling comic characters are those whose flaws and perspective are intertwined, creating internal conflict and driving their actions in unexpected ways.

5. Tools for Comic Brilliance: Clash, Inappropriateness, and More

Clash of context is the forced union of incompatibles.

Clash of context. This tool involves placing something in an environment where it doesn't belong, creating humor through the unexpected juxtaposition. A hooker in a convent, an elephant in a bathtub, or a sophisticated dinner party at a fast-food restaurant are all examples of clash of context.

Other essential tools:

• Wildly inappropriate response: Reacting to a situation in a way that is completely out of sync with the expected response.
• Law of comic opposites: Pairing characters with diametrically opposed personalities and forcing them to interact.
• Tension and release: Building anticipation and then delivering a punchline that breaks the tension with laughter.
• Telling the truth to comic effect: Stating the obvious in a way that highlights the absurdity of a situation.
• Telling a lie to comic effect: Saying the opposite of the truth to create humor.

Mastering the tools. By understanding and practicing these techniques, you can add layers of humor to your writing and create moments that are both surprising and satisfying.

6. Mastering Comic Storytelling: From Center to Slapstick

In a center-and-eccentrics configuration, you have everyman surrounded by comic characters.

Center and eccentrics. This structure places a normal character in a world populated by eccentric individuals, allowing the audience to experience the comedy through their eyes. Examples include Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and Taxi.

Types of comic stories:

• Fish out of water: A character is placed in an unfamiliar environment, creating humor through their attempts to adapt.
• Character comedy: Direct emotional war between strong comic opposites.
• Powers: The comic premise is the power itself, often involving magic or fantasy.
• Ensemble comedy: A group of people in conflict with each other and the world.
• Slapstick: Physical comedy that relies on exaggerated actions and absurd situations.
• Satire and parody: Attacking the substance of a social or cultural icon or phenomenon.

Choosing the right structure. Understanding these different types of comic stories allows you to select the best framework for your ideas and maximize their comedic potential.

7. The Comic Throughline: A Map for Funny Journeys

If the tale is a comic one, then the throughline is a Comic Throughline...

The throughline. A simple, direct path from the beginning to the end of a story. It provides a framework for building a compelling narrative, ensuring that the story has a clear direction and purpose.

Elements of a comic throughline:

1. Who is the hero?
2. What does the hero want?
3. The door opens.
4. The hero takes control.
5. A monkey wrench is thrown.
6. Things fall apart.
7. The hero hits bottom.
8. The hero risks all.
9. What does the hero get?

Inner and outer needs. A well-constructed comic hero has both an outer need (what they think they want) and an inner need (what they really want). The journey to fulfill these needs drives the story forward.

8. Elevating Comedy: Microconflict, Ear Tickles, and Detail

For every flaw, there is an equal and opposite humanity.

Micro vs. macro conflict. Microconflicts are small, localized skirmishes that reflect the larger themes and conflicts of the story. They add depth and texture to the narrative, creating opportunities for humor and character development.

Enhancing the writing:

• Ear tickles: Alliteration, internal rhymes, and puns can add a pleasing sound to the writing.
• Details: Vivid descriptions and specific details bring the story to life and make it more engaging.

Humanity is key. Even in the midst of chaos and absurdity, it's important to ground your characters in humanity. This allows the audience to connect with them on an emotional level, making the comedy more meaningful.

9. Comedy's Edge: Jeopardy and High Stakes

In general, the more stored tension there is, the greater will be the comic release.

Tension and release. The greater the jeopardy, the better the comedy. By putting your characters in high-stakes situations, you create tension that can be released through laughter.

Raising the stakes:

• Increase the price of failure: What will your character lose if they fail?
• Increase the prize for success: What will your character gain if they succeed?

Emotional core. The most effective jeopardy is that which touches on a character's deepest fears and desires. By tapping into these emotions, you can create moments that are both funny and meaningful.

10. Polishing the Gem: Rewriting for Perfection

The real work of comic writing takes place in rewriting.

Embrace the rewrite. The first draft is just the beginning. The real magic happens in the rewriting process, where you refine your jokes, deepen your characters, and tighten your story.

Strategies for effective rewriting:

• Mining and refining: Separate the creative process into distinct phases of generating ideas and polishing them.
• Write fast, write long: Overwrite initially, then cut ruthlessly to reveal the strongest material.
• Good is the enemy of the great: Don't settle for "good enough"; push yourself to achieve excellence.
• Trust yourself: Develop your own sense of what's funny and what works.
• Use beta testers: Get feedback from trusted sources to identify areas for improvement.

Commitment is key. Rewriting is hard work, but it's essential for taking your comedy to the next level. By embracing the process and trusting your instincts, you can transform your raw ideas into polished gems.

Last updated: April 12, 2025