Many have tried to tackle the topic and teach other how to be funny, few have succeeded. Mel Helitzer may just be one of them. In his bestselling book, Comedy Writing Secrets, Helitzer (along with co-author Mark Shatz) outlines his six essential ingredients for all things funny, which he refers to as the “THREES” formula, an acronym which stands for:
1. Target
2. Hostility
3. Realism
4. Exaggeration
5. Emotion
6. Surprise
To summarise:
1. Humor must be specifically targeted, and while our target can be anything or anyone, it’s important to know who our audience is.
2. Humor may contain a certain amount of hostility towards our target. Comedy can be cruel, after all.
3. There’s a bit of truth behind every joke, as many of us have heard through a variety of famous quotes.
4. Exaggeration is often nothing more than expanding on reality, with perhaps the occasional metaphor thrown in for good measure.
5. Emotion can produce tension and anxiety, which serves to build up the anticipation in our audiences.
6. Surprise is one of the primary reasons why people laugh, as Helitzer puts it, and the proper punchline, though unexpected, will produce the perfect reaction.
Armed with the ingredients you’ll be ready to craft some creative comedy and will have audiences laughing hysterically in no time! Helitzer’s book remains in print to this day for those looking to go beyond the basics.
Looking for some hilarious reads? Visit our online library at www.wantate.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from all your favorite devices, and sure to put a smile on your face!
No comments:
Post a Comment