Wednesday, April 27, 2005

I'm 52,000 words into Crafty TV Writing. I think it's going to be a good book. Lots of stuff that "everybody knows" but I haven't seen written down anywhere, except possibly in the occasional obscure post on a blog somewhere, by inference.

I've got the chapters on writing in general written, and most of the chapters on working. The big gaping holes where I have nothing but notes are the chapters on comedy and (if I decide to have one) animation. Animation's not going to be hard, I don't think -- I just need to find some animation writers who can tell me how much of a difference there is between animation and live action. Comedy, on the other hand ... as the great Shakespearean, David Garrick, said on his deathbed: "Dying is easy. It's comedy that's hard."

How do you write about writing comedy? The books on comedy writing are pretty useless -- at least the ones I've read, please feel free to recommend better ones. I've written romantic comedy -- yes, for money, even -- but never so-called situation comedy. I've read John Rogers' excellent comedy writing glossary, which is a list of lessons in its own right, and he was kind enough to give me an interview, too.

Ahhh ... just bitching, that's all. I'll get there.

8:43 AM

6 Comments:

Though more about films than TV, I sitll thought Stuart Voytilla and Scott Petri's "Writing the Comedy Film" was a good book.

Peace.
Fun Joel

By  Anonymous, at 12:34 PM  

Can't help you with comedy, I'm afraid, Alex. I've never been a fan of the set-up/punchline concept of sit-coms such as Friends, Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond. Well, I DON'T love Raymond and have never watched his show -- or any of the others mentioned above.

But if you're looking for animation writers -- really good ones -- to chat with for your book, then may I suggest you start with Larry Brody, the writer/producer of numerous animated series such as Spawn, Spiderman and The Silver Surfer. His email address (and this is no secret) is larry@tvwriter.com . Good luck!

By  Anonymous, at 12:47 PM  

have any opinion on Smith's Writing Television Sitcoms? Or Vorhaus' The Comic Toolbox? Toolbox seems to be in fashion these days, widely recommended and assigned as a text for various reputable programs. As for the Smith, I've read it cover to cover. A thorough, if uninspired catalogue of the structures and techniques of sitcoms.

By  Anonymous, at 4:20 PM  

I enjoyed Laughing Out Loud: Writing the Comedy-Centered Screenplay by Andrew Horton, though I'm not sure how much the advice in it made me a funnier writer and how much it fed my academic neurosis. It's very analytical about the process of comedy, so it appeals to me, because I love to analyze things to the point that annoys most people.

By  Anonymous, at 4:26 PM  

I got Larry's email addy wrong. Duh! It's larrybrody@tvwriter.com

By  Anonymous, at 9:43 PM  

Thanks for the heads ups, guys! Very helpful.

By  Alex Epstein, at 9:57 PM  

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