In Comedy Writing Combine BIG EMOTIONS with calm reactions

When writing a comedy scene or a sketch aim to have contrasting energies in the scene

Firstly, the classic comedy sketch or scene features a clash of behaviour:

* One character behaves normally for the situation.

* The other character behaves in an absurd or unreasonable way for the situation.

In the above video, the shop assistant in the langerie department appears to be the normal, reasonable one, but as the (Smack the Pony) sketch develops she starts to exhibit unusual behaviour which heightens the embarrassment for the awkward customer! At the end of the video there is an excerpt from a Key & Peele sketch with a class full of reasonable school kids and an absurd teacher (who pronounces their names on the register in an idiosyncratic way).

Out of sync emotion is key to heighen the comedy. Classic comedy out-of-synch emotions include:

* One is embarrassed while the other is not. (See the Smack the Pony example in the above video).

    * One character remains calm while the other gets angry. (See the Key & Peele example at the end of the above video).

Essentially, the contrast in energy and behavior is the engine for the comedic conflict that drives the scene.

Try it! Create a scenario where a character wants something but is very awkaward and embarrassed. Pair them with a character who remains cool and detached.

Alternatively, create a scene with a character who is becoming absurdly angry over a their own pet peeve or obsession (that you really shouldn't be angry about) and have the other character reacting in an even-temerped (but slightly puzzled way).

You'll find the bigger the contrast in the emotional energy, the bigger the comedy.

The above video is an edited excerpt from one of my Zoom comedy writing classes. The next course is a Xmas and new year special! Info and booking