Producers Everywhere...
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By kyle southam in Writing Published: Sunday, 18 February 07 - 09:14 AM (GMT +12:00) |
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Have you watched a comedy such as Frazier, Taxi, Friends, etc and thought to yourself, boy, I wish I could write that funny. If you look at the credits, you may see "written by" and only one person's name appearing. Boy that person must be funny. Well, they could be, but chances are that that person is the one who either came up with the idea or was the one who strung it all together. You will probably notice that there are myriads of producers, co-producers and associate producers on a sit-com, well, these are more than likely writers.
When a sitcom is written, an idea is round tabled and this is where it all begins. Jokes are thought of and situations worked on. It is a big brainstorming session of collective humor. This was how the old radio shows were also written. So, don't get too dispondent when you don't come up with the perfect comedic gem.
I also think that this is is the problem with New Zealand comedies. They are terrible. It is because only one or two people write the show and ideas are not bounced around. Scripts go from the writer to the producer and are then filmed. There is no decision on what funny actually is. When I write with my partner, if both of us do not laugh at the material we have just come up with, even if one person thinks it is a gem, it does not get in. If we both love it and a few readers think it is sour, then it is removed. You are not going to hit everyone, but you should be aiming for the majority of your target demographic.
Performing stand up is the same, make sure that your material is reviewed by others. Try it out, slip it in here or there. Don't just get up and do it as it may clang. There is nothing better in this world than a team of honest reviewers. Don't give it to your mother who has loved everything you have ever written in your life.
Thank you,
Kyle
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