This is by far the best explanation of comedy that I have ever seen. I've watched countless videos about how to create comedy but none of them have addressed it in such a digestible manner. I can't stress enough how underrated you are, your channel is incredible.
About the Ghostbusters scene, I think what it misses, first and foremost, is not conflict, but action. The jokes could be told in a manner that develops visual dynamics and ups the stakes. Hotlzmann could check on the car while delivering that line about the uses of a cadaver. Then, BOOM, there's an actual corpse inside there. Holtzmann would try picking the body while Patty'd run and try to stop her from doin' it, claiming they've got to deliver it back. Then Erin would refuse riding in that car, while Abby would mention they should give it some painting. Next scene, the corpse is in the lab. Patty is still arguing and Holtzmann is moving around, escaping the conversation.
I dont think that would really be an improvement. You dont need there to be action in the scene to make the dialogue funny. Good dialogue is funny on its own
I love the visuals with all the abstract ideas that are hard to understand unless you already know a little bit at least, but the graphics really go a long way
I love your example at 8:37 about the two punchlines, and you are 100% correct that the first is funnier. However, I think with the right actor/performance, the 2nd punchline has more funny awkward performance opportunity to be the funnier choice. The first punchline can also be affected by performance, I just think the 2nd punchline gives the actor more to play with. What do you think?
There is an excellent appreciation of Billy Wilder a few clicks away. It's a scene from the Apartment at the office Christmas party. Earlier C.C. Baxter's boss, Sheldrake, shows Baxter a lady's compact which his current mistress threw at him, breaking the mirror inside. He does this to show Baxter, whose apartment he uses for his affairs, how he's leading La Vida Loca and appreciates Baxter's loaning him his key. At the party Baxter who has gotten promoted to Sheldrake's assistant shows Fran Kubelik the new bowler hat he's bought. He wants to wear it right so he asks Fran if she has a mirror. Fran does, in her comkpact, and the mirror is broken.
I love the points you’re making, but the examples kind of undermine the point; just not funny. I understand humour is subjective-but this ‘comedy’ feels contrived, poorly written and hacky. Conflict for conflict sake, doesn’t creat tension just makes people roll their eyes-Dad jokes.
Is there a story topic that you'd like me to cover? Let me know in the comments!
Hi Nick, I'd love to see you cover The Lubitsch Touch.
Hey! This is a fascinating concept, I never heard of it before. Thanks for the suggestion!
This is by far the best explanation of comedy that I have ever seen. I've watched countless videos about how to create comedy but none of them have addressed it in such a digestible manner. I can't stress enough how underrated you are, your channel is incredible.
Thank you! I just published a romcom and I still used these techniques. I'm glad you were able to find value out of it :)
About the Ghostbusters scene, I think what it misses, first and foremost, is not conflict, but action. The jokes could be told in a manner that develops visual dynamics and ups the stakes.
Hotlzmann could check on the car while delivering that line about the uses of a cadaver. Then, BOOM, there's an actual corpse inside there.
Holtzmann would try picking the body while Patty'd run and try to stop her from doin' it, claiming they've got to deliver it back. Then Erin would refuse riding in that car, while Abby would mention they should give it some painting.
Next scene, the corpse is in the lab. Patty is still arguing and Holtzmann is moving around, escaping the conversation.
I dont think that would really be an improvement. You dont need there to be action in the scene to make the dialogue funny. Good dialogue is funny on its own
I love the visuals with all the abstract ideas that are hard to understand unless you already know a little bit at least, but the graphics really go a long way
Criminally underrated channel
fl333r Thanks! These videos take a lot of work so I appreciate the support :)
This is genuinely an amazing lesson in comedic theory.
I love your example at 8:37 about the two punchlines, and you are 100% correct that the first is funnier. However, I think with the right actor/performance, the 2nd punchline has more funny awkward performance opportunity to be the funnier choice. The first punchline can also be affected by performance, I just think the 2nd punchline gives the actor more to play with. What do you think?
Great video! Thank you!
There is an excellent appreciation of Billy Wilder a few clicks away. It's a scene from the Apartment at the office Christmas party. Earlier C.C. Baxter's boss, Sheldrake, shows Baxter a lady's compact which his current mistress threw at him, breaking the mirror inside. He does this to show Baxter, whose apartment he uses for his affairs, how he's leading La Vida Loca and appreciates Baxter's loaning him his key. At the party Baxter who has gotten promoted to Sheldrake's assistant shows Fran Kubelik the new bowler hat he's bought. He wants to wear it right so he asks Fran if she has a mirror. Fran does, in her comkpact, and the mirror is broken.
The first scene didn’t really make me laugh 😢😢
Those scenes were painfully unfunny…
I love the points you’re making, but the examples kind of undermine the point; just not funny. I understand humour is subjective-but this ‘comedy’ feels contrived, poorly written and hacky. Conflict for conflict sake, doesn’t creat tension just makes people roll their eyes-Dad jokes.
I think the point is to set general guidelines for comedy.