A comedy writer creates jokes and humorous dialogue for television, radio, films, and other forms of entertainment. They may also work with comedians, test and review scripts, pitch stories and ideas to editors, travel to support live shows, or research news or history to find new material.
The Basics of Comedy Writing and Stand-Up Humor
A good comedy writer knows what makes a story funny or at the very least, entertaining to readers. They can take any subject – happy, sad, stupid – and turn it into a witty tale that will make the audience or reader laugh out loud.
They know that comedy is about upturning expectations and making people think in a different way. That’s why most comedy writers have had their share of experiences being laughed at or dead silent, a situation that made them work even harder to get their material across.
Whether you’re working on a comedy movie or TV sitcom, you need comprehensive knowledge of screenplay structure. This includes understanding the 3-act structure for movies and a well-defined format for sitcoms.
Editing a Comedy Project
Comedy editing prevents plot holes and character inconsistencies that ruin a comedy script. A professional comedy editor can also tell you if a joke might offend certain viewers or cause negative backlash in the industry.
Interviewing a Comedy Writer
Before hiring a comedy writer, you need to prepare a detailed project description. This will help you narrow down your choices of professionals. Using Upwork or other online freelancer platforms is an easy way to do this. You can post your project requirements for free on these sites and receive proposals from interested professionals. Shortlist your favorite candidates and request interviews.
