Now that I know I want to produce a comedy short film...well...let's just say...I have a lot to learn.😍🥲
To start my research, I wanted to develop a basic idea of how to write a comedic script in general. I got my tips primarily from this article: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-comedy-screenplay-a-guide-to-writing-a-comedic-screenplay-that-will-make-audiences-laugh
According to MasterClass and General Comedy Theory, here are some Core Comedy Principles:
Exaggeration: Comedy thrives on exaggerating ordinary situations.
Reversals: Set up an expectation and then completely subvert it.
Timing and Pacing: Delivery and rhythm matter as much as the joke itself.
Relatable Embarrassment: Audiences connect with humor rooted in everyday awkwardness.
Character-Driven Humor: The best comedy stems from who the characters are rather than just punchlines.
Rule of Three: Repeating a concept three times, with the third being the unexpected punchline.
I then stumbled across this website (https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/comedy-scripts/) which had so many comedy scripts for films that I could read.
I decided to zone in on two films to see how their comedic lines were written.
The first film was The 40 Year Old Virgin. Here are some snippets of the script:
I literally was so gagged when reading this—it was so out of pocket I could not stop laughing.
This is what I learned from reading the script of the film:
The 40-Year-Old Virgin: Key Comedy Elements
Situational Comedy: The humor revolves around Andy’s inexperience and his attempts to navigate a sexual awakening later in life.
Character-Based Humor: Andy is naive but likable, and his friends, who are hyper-experienced, create a comedic contrast.
Dialogue and Improvisation: Many scenes feel natural due to the actors' supposed improvisation.
Awkwardness as Comedy: Scenes like the one where Andy is making up an obviously fake story about having sex heighten the cringe humor through absurdity.
Emotional Core: Despite the raunchy humor, there’s an underlying heart to the film, making it more than just jokes.
The next film I looked at was American Pie.
What I learned from watching American Pie.
American Pie: Key Comedy Elements
Teen Sex Comedy Tropes: Focuses on sexual discovery and the embarrassment of adolescence.
Physical and Situational Comedy: Jim’s encounter with his mother walking in on him watching pornographic content is a prime example of escalating awkwardness in comedy films.
Relatable Stakes: The fear of being inexperienced in high school creates tension that fuels the comedy.
Comedic Structure: The rest of the film builds up to a climax (prom night) where all the subplots humorously converge.
I also watched a comedy short film called "Are We Doing This?"
"Are We Doing This?" (2024) is a short comedy film that thrives on situational irony, miscommunication, and escalating awkwardness. If I want to create a comedic film, it is likely in my interest to include these useful elements. The humor comes from Jeff and Mia’s misunderstanding of the party’s true nature, leading to a clash between their expectations and reality.
Key Takeaways:
Situational Irony & Misunderstanding: The premise revolves around an innocent mistake—Mia failing to read the invitation carefully—leading to an unexpected and uncomfortable situation. This is a great comedic device that builds tension and humor as the characters react in real time.
Character Reactions Drive the Comedy: The humor isn’t just in the setup but in how Jeff and Mia respond. Their discomfort, attempts to navigate the situation, and differing reactions make the scene funnier. In your own film, exaggerated but believable reactions can enhance the comedic impact.
Escalation: The awkwardness doesn’t just stop at the key reveal. The tension likely grows as they interact with other party guests, further misunderstanding the situation or trying (and failing) to blend in. Comedy benefits from escalating stakes that keep pushing characters out of their comfort zones.
Relationship Comedy: At its core, the film explores a couple’s dynamic and how they handle an unusual test of their boundaries. Relationship-based humor is relatable and can create both comedic and emotional depth. This comedy film involves a duo and it focuses on how they react to pressure which adds layers to the humor.
Short & Punchy Setup: The film quickly establishes the premise and moves into the comedic situation without unnecessary exposition. Keeping the setup concise ensures the comedy lands efficiently and keeps the audience engaged.
All of this research has started the foundation to the portfolio project I will be creating. When it comes to writing my script, I have to be incredibly meticulous with the language and timing, or else it is very possible that this short film will not achieve what I want it to. I definitely want to use dialogue that is out-of-pocket to add a shock factor that turns into comedy. This will likely be a technique I utilize often in the script.
I definitely want to look through more comedy short films listed on this website https://ask.metafilter.com/367440/Youtube-Filter-What-are-some-good-5-7-minute-short-film-comedies so I can keep expanding my knowledge on comedic film elements based on all the various comedy short films.
References
Best Free Comedy Scripts Online (PDF Downloads) – StudioBinder. (2023, September 3). Studiobinder.com. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/comedy-scripts/
How to Write a Comedy Screenplay: A Guide to Writing A Comedic Screenplay That Will Make Audiences Laugh - 2024 - MasterClass. (2020). MasterClass. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-comedy-screenplay-a-guide-to-writing-a-comedic-screenplay-that-will-make-audiences-laugh
Puttock, H. (2024, September 12). Are We Doing This? IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22470010/
Youtube Filter: What are some good 5-7 minute short film comedies? (2022). Metafilter.com; MetaFilter. https://ask.metafilter.com/367440/Youtube-Filter-What-are-some-good-5-7-minute-short-film-comedies
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