World Famous Comics: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
By: James Mendrinos Publisher: Alpha Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Alpha Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 352 Publication Date: July 06, 2004 Release Date: July 06, 2004
Product Description: Comedy is serious business-and serious money. In this guide, comedian, writer, and teacher Jim Mendrinos explains the principles of comedy and how to apply them to forms from stand-up to sitcoms-including fiction, film, speeches, articles, essays, and more. He also includes exercises designed to hone the craft, break through writer's block, and tailor a piece to its intended audience.
I MAKE FUNNY JOKES YES? U LAUGH HARD FOR ME NOW LARGE CAPS ARE SOO LIBERATING. THIS BOOK HAS HELPED MY SEX LIFE. VERY USEFUL. I HOPE TO STAY OUT OF JAIL NOW.....THANKS AMAZON...I HAVE TOSSED MY ROPE IN THE TRASHCAN. SEE YOU WHEN I AM FAMOUS!
not funny, educational I like that the writer (Jim M.) takes the writing of comedy seriously, it doesn't mock those who want to learn but encourages in all the right ways. The book itself is witty and gives you top-notch instructions on how to create funny. although a lot of the references are a little outdated for me, it's still good stuff.
...and this is the line where normally you'd read something amusing and think "yea, that seems like a good book" but i'm an expert procrastinator and haven't gotten around to writing anything funny just yet.
Perfect tool for new writers There is a school of thought that you shouldn't write about comedy because disecting a joke makes it horribly unfunny. This book does something amazing, it details all the basics, quotes some funny stuff, and lets the reader find his own comedy style as a writer.
It covers everything from getting the idea, to editing the piece, and it does it as a broad look at comedy instead of a narrow look at screenplay comedy or comedy for books. This allows you to get the basic knowledge to try out these different styles, and then research further once you know what genre you want to write in.
I got a ton out of it.
Don't waste your time I've never been compelled to write a review on amazon, but I feel I must warn others from purchasing this book. It is a complete waste of time. It is an exercise on the part of the author to say absolutely nothing in so many words. There is nothing funny in the book. The examples of his writing and of others' writing are horribly not funny. Throughout the book are lame cartoons that are not funny. Save your time and money; there's nothing practical in this book.
Step by step advice on being funny Wow, it's amazing how different people can read the same thing and get different results. I'm a NYC writer (Theatre) and I picked up this book because I wanted to put more comedy into my writing.
I learned and then some!!!
The book layers information in the first part. Basically it is a deconstruction of humor -- what's funny and finding your own individual sense of humor. It's the roll up your sleeves part of comedy writing -- getting useable ideas, and seperating the rich concepts from the common ideas.
Part 2 is an overview on comedy construction -- not genre specific, but the universal components that every writer who uses humor must master in order to write something that's funny.
The "UJF" -- Universal Joke Formula is simple and easy to follow, and amazingly complete. As for the assertion from an earlier reviewer that the writer didn't cover "Twists," there's an entire chapter dedicated to twists. Anybody can understand the concepts and examples the writer used in the twist chapter,and it is simplified as much as possible -- after all, this is an idiot's guide!
Part 3 focuses on the artistic elements of comedy, from basic language to emotional exploration of a joke. This is the one section I wish was longer. I understand that an idiot's guide has to be basic knowledge in an easy reference form, but I do believe that the writer's opinions on art were wonderful and direct. I would have liked to have gone deeper in the artform with him.
The craft of comedy is the next section. The author does a wonderful job pushing the basics of comedy construction. This is basically polishing, editing, and revision before presentation to the buyer. It contains one of the best chapters on comedy editing I've ever read. As for the A to Z list being too simple -- again, it's an idiot's guide. The writer has to pack it with the simple rules. What the reviewer fails to point out is that the author also has complex information in the book as well. (Like the reason why most double entendres fail is that both possible meanings have to end in a punch line. If the "naughty" ending is funny, and the other ending isn't, the joke fails because the naughty joke becomes too direct.)
Part 5 goes for application. Here's how to do it for theatre, here's how to do it for stand-up, etc. Again, I wish it was longer, but as an overview it was perfect. Just to be clear - the pages on playwriting are very good. I can't judge the others because I don't work the mediums, but playwriting is on point.
Finally, don't overlook Appendix B -- "Something to do Every Day." Quite possibly the best tool I'ver ever seen to jump start the writing process.
Overall I loved the book. The subject matter was interesting, and the writer's style was effortless. I'd read more of his writing, and I believe I will be a better writer when I follow his advice.
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