Laughing Out Loud: Writing the Comedy-Centered Screenplay Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book provides some marvelous exercises for learning to think comically, which Horton claims is essential to writing good comedy. He also provides a rich history of comic traditions in many genres, which adds to the book's usefulness. He does, however, manage to skim both subjects too lightly in his attempt to put both in the same book. Thus, those who are looking for a how-to book will be dissatisfied, and those who are looking for an academic book will be dissatisfied. His treatment of comedy as a genre is too light to be considered anything other than watered down for screenwriters who are supposed to care. Did *I* enjoy the book? In most instances, yes. However, I found it too selective of what Horton considered good examples of comedy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Laughing Out Loud: Writing the Comedy-Centered Screenplay

Whoever wrote "Make 'em laugh!" knew that it's easier said than done. But people love to laugh, and good comedy will always sell. With the help of this complete and entertaining guide, writers and would-be writers for film and television can look forward to writing comedy that goes far beyond stereotypic jokes and characters. In Laughing Out Loud, award-winning screenwriter and author Andrew Horton blends history, theory, and analysis of comedy with invaluable advice.Using examples from Chaplin to Seinfeld, Aristophanes to Woody Allen, Horton describes comedy as a perspective rather than merely as a genre and then goes on to identify the essential elements of comedy. His lively overview of comedy's history traces its two main branches--anarchistic comedy and romantic comedy--from ancient Greece through contemporary Hollywood, by way of commedia dell'arte, vaudeville, and silent movies. Television and international cinema are included in Horton's analysis, which leads into an up-close review of the comedy chemistry in a number of specific films and television shows.The rest of the book is a practical guide to writing feature comedy and episodic TV comedy, complete with schedules and exercises designed to unblock any writer's comic potential. The appendices offer tips on networking, marketing, and even producing comedies, and are followed by a list of recommended comedies and a bibliography.

Click here for more information about Laughing Out Loud: Writing the Comedy-Centered Screenplay