Notes: Comic Hero's Journey 1. Normal World - Start with Protagonist who is broken/flawed but isn't aware of it and have a short-sighted goal. We get a glimpse of who they are and also a tiny glimpse of who they should/might be 2. WTF - Comic Premises is setup: Something impossible/improbable happens 3. Reaction - Protagonist desperately tries to crawl back to the real world. Is in Denial and then tries to cope without any character development. New skills that were hinted in the Normal world starts to appear 4. Connection - Protagonist finds unexpected allies and sometimes enemies. Proagonist moving out of their comfort zone and are becoming a more actualized person and are reaching out to new relationships. A getting naked moment occurs where the comedy is slowed down and the protagonist is vulnerable, honest and opens their heart. 5. New Direction -Their initial goals are broken and they discover a more meaningful goal. A Decision Point is made ( There should never be a point where there is no question what the character will do ) 6. Disconnection - Where all seems lost. Where the protagonist is going to fail and the mask ( where their initial flaws remerge ) is put on for a short moment 7. Race to Finish - The Protagonist has a full realization and everything becomes clear of who they are and what they need. It doesn't matter if they're gonna win or not. Success or Failure should hang by a hair's breadth and could believably go either way. The Protagonist literally has to take positive action to achieve their goal. There must be some hint that the future is going to be set on a better path but the protagonist should never transform till the point they are perfect or saints and should still retain their human touch. Important Character Types: 1) Trickster 2) Fool 3) Voice of Reason You are allowed to lie only once under the comic premises be it huge or small. The theme and the need calls for characters You create all the events based on characters
I love what Steve says about "the comic premise is that you can tell ONE lie, and after that everything you tell has to be as close to the truth as possible.". I think that is so accurate, I never noticed before. He really has a way of articulating concepts and ideas.
This is great, because you really don't see a lot of videos seriously discussing the comedy genre. Incidentally, if you listen to this guy with your eyes closed, you'd almost think you were listening to Steven Spielberg (similar voice timbre).
in the future you should put time stamps in the description telling the viewer what is being talked about at what point in the video. great video none the less.
Steve is not giving away the family jewels.I have taken his course.None of that is in here.This is too broad r Bruustroke of generalities that do nothing for the writing. Read his book don't watch the video. Utterly useless.He charges a lot of money so he doesn't want to put an end to his seminars with a video. Take the seminar and buy the book.
![The Hidden Tools Of Writing Comedy - Steve Kaplan [FULL INTERVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-Q9vDjKJbuw/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Hidden Tools Of Writing Comedy - Steve Kaplan [FULL INTERVIEW]](/img/tr.png)
Notes:
Comic Hero's Journey
1. Normal World
- Start with Protagonist who is broken/flawed but isn't aware of it and have a short-sighted goal. We get a glimpse of who they are and also a tiny glimpse of who they should/might be
2. WTF
- Comic Premises is setup: Something impossible/improbable happens
3. Reaction
- Protagonist desperately tries to crawl back to the real world. Is in Denial and then tries to cope without any character development. New skills that were hinted in the Normal world starts to appear
4. Connection
- Protagonist finds unexpected allies and sometimes enemies. Proagonist moving out of their comfort zone and are becoming a more actualized person and are reaching out to new relationships. A getting naked moment occurs where the comedy is slowed down and the protagonist is vulnerable, honest and opens their heart.
5. New Direction
-Their initial goals are broken and they discover a more meaningful goal. A Decision Point is made ( There should never be a point where there is no question what the character will do )
6. Disconnection
- Where all seems lost. Where the protagonist is going to fail and the mask ( where their initial flaws remerge ) is put on for a short moment
7. Race to Finish
- The Protagonist has a full realization and everything becomes clear of who they are and what they need. It doesn't matter if they're gonna win or not. Success or Failure should hang by a hair's breadth and could believably go either way. The Protagonist literally has to take positive action to achieve their goal. There must be some hint that the future is going to be set on a better path but the protagonist should never transform till the point they are perfect or saints and should still retain their human touch.
Important Character Types:
1) Trickster
2) Fool
3) Voice of Reason
You are allowed to lie only once under the comic premises be it huge or small.
The theme and the need calls for characters
You create all the events based on characters
Legend lol. Was gunna watch this but don't really have the time lol. Perfect!
Thank you so much!! I was able to listen to this video while doing art instead of taking notes :)
every comment section has a hero
Thanks bro!
You are my hero
I love what Steve says about "the comic premise is that you can tell ONE lie, and after that everything you tell has to be as close to the truth as possible.". I think that is so accurate, I never noticed before. He really has a way of articulating concepts and ideas.
timestamp?
If you leave in the single character Stephanie, the entire theme of 'Groundhog Day' changes. Great analysis.
Not only informative but gives courage to make a comic film!
Thanks, Kenneth!
This is great, because you really don't see a lot of videos seriously discussing the comedy genre. Incidentally, if you listen to this guy with your eyes closed, you'd almost think you were listening to Steven Spielberg (similar voice timbre).
Yes! I love Steve Kaplan! Thank you Film Courage! You're the best
Thanks Christopher, we wanted to get this full version out ahead of schedule. We hope you enjoy and benefit.
Another excellent video - thank you for sharing
You're welcome!
Awesome. Can't Thank You Enough. Great work Film Courage! 🙂👍
Kind words Pranav! Great to see you find this one helpful. Our best to you as you move forward with your work.
he is tops...so clearly has he laid out a viable path ahead
Amazing video. Very informative.
Thanks a lot. ❤
Thank you so much for these videos, they are so valuable for an aspiring young filmmaker like me.
Sky KJ, our pleasure. Happy to see young filmmakers discovering our channel. We hope your work is better for it.
It's like talking face to face with a mentor, and opens new perspectives on writing.
Amazing! Such great insights not only on writing but on Life ❤
Awesome Video! Brilliant!
Thank you Kaque, we are glad you found value here.
Great video STEFFI
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Thanks, this Video helped big time!
41:20 The movie is Enough Said, not That's Enough
Sorry, you're right--sometimes the facts stay in my head, and the wrong words come out.
Kaplan is tops!
in the future you should put time stamps in the description telling the viewer what is being talked about at what point in the video. great video none the less.
I like his horse.
♥️!
hhaa, he refrenced to this is the end
13:23
Has the guy seen another movie than groundhog day?
Yes. Next question.
If only he was interpreting the impeachment of trump lol...
Very politically correct thank you for the correctness lesson.
Too bad he used the spy movie one of the worst movies of all time to be an illustration of his ideas
Works to use a bad movie because they often make classic tropes overly obvious due to poor writing.
Steve is not giving away the family jewels.I have taken his course.None of that is in here.This is too broad r
Bruustroke of generalities that do nothing for the writing. Read his book don't watch the video. Utterly useless.He charges a lot of money so he doesn't want to put an end to his seminars with a video.
Take the seminar and buy the book.