Formula for sketch comedy.

Interesting. I've never plotted it out before so detailed like you did here. I typically just try and follow a generic story ark when planning our episodes. Most of our sketches are written with an opening problem or obstacle->funny attempts at achieving the goal->a comedic resolution of some sort. It's really interesting to see other people's approach to comedy!
 
I am going to say this now, after being 100% intrigued by your thread.. I checked out your channel, after cleaning the poop out of my pants after seeing over 190,000 subscribers..

I wanted to tell you, I am your 192, 879th subscriber.. Because.. You. Are. Incredible. <3

I was just about to start writing for a new video, and I'm definitely going to use this Formula now. :)
 
KGATV said:
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I give you these two gifs for your epic gif battle

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[DOUBLEPOST=1366948701,1366948647][/DOUBLEPOST]Didn't even notice the username.. TIL Petercoffin is on yttalk :o
 
PeterCoffin said:
I've came up with a format/formula for skits (what I typically make) to make it both accessible and have some kind of subtle point.

1. Broad humor moment (lowbrow humor but not blue) :15 max
2. Exposition (what you're referencing or talking about in one or two lines) :15 max
3. Exploration/Bread and Butter (a few different angles on what you're talking about, with broad humor laced in) :30 - 1:30
4. Twist (this is where subtlety can be used, surprise and confuse people) :30 max
5. Wrap up (drive the point home, end on something big and memorable if possible) :30 max

These rules can obviously be broken but the things I have made lately which have been getting a favorable response have pretty much followed this, though I've kind of only realized it just now looking back on them - in fact that is how I would say I stumbled on this.

Any thoughts?
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My formula would be
1. ridiculous premise
2. seeming completely serious about this ridiculous premise
3. if they expect you to go right? Go left, no screw directions, go loop de loop.
4. Over the top is always a good thing if it's believable
5. keep it random.

oh and lastly, if you watch it back and you yourself don't laugh out loud, repeat steps 1 through 5.
 
symphonious7 said:
My formula would be
1. ridiculous premise
2. seeming completely serious about this ridiculous premise
3. if they expect you to go right? Go left, no screw directions, go loop de loop.
4. Over the top is always a good thing if it's believable
5. keep it random.

oh and lastly, if you watch it back and you yourself don't laugh out loud, repeat steps 1 through 5.
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Dunno bout the keep it random, I personally prefer comedy that isn't too random. You know, they stay on target..Kind of hard to explain comedy xD
 
Styxie said:
Dunno bout the keep it random, I personally prefer comedy that isn't too random. You know, they stay on target..Kind of hard to explain comedy xD
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That's why they're MY rules!!! Lol... I literally don't laugh at anything that's not random. Topical humor does nothing for me, but I'm also the minority here.
 
pawtaytoe said:
I am going to say this now, after being 100% intrigued by your thread.. I checked out your channel, after cleaning the poop out of my pants after seeing over 190,000 subscribers..

I wanted to tell you, I am your 192, 879th subscriber.. Because.. You. Are. Incredible. <3

I was just about to start writing for a new video, and I'm definitely going to use this Formula now. :)
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Thank you very much! That's really cool of you. I have watched a few of your videos throughout the last few weeks, you're a funny dude. I am a sub haha
symphonious7 said:
That's why they're MY rules!!! Lol... I literally don't laugh at anything that's not random. Topical humor does nothing for me, but I'm also the minority here.
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Well, I'm with you to a point. I don't really believe pure topical humor is the best. But I also see it as a vehicle to do things. Bait, so to speak.

I also try to do satire of it rather than just "har har har, thing happened!"

When I was younger my friends and I did purely random stuff, and to be honest I feel like today I'm making better/funnier things. If you had told me at that point I would ever think that about topical humor, I wouldn't have listened.[DOUBLEPOST=1366989536,1366989410][/DOUBLEPOST]
TylorSkory said:
Interesting. I've never plotted it out before so detailed like you did here. I typically just try and follow a generic story ark when planning our episodes. Most of our sketches are written with an opening problem or obstacle->funny attempts at achieving the goal->a comedic resolution of some sort. It's really interesting to see other people's approach to comedy!
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That's part of why I posted it, was hoping other people would talk about their approach. I find it just as interesting.
 
PeterCoffin said:
Thank you very much! That's really cool of you. I have watched a few of your videos throughout the last few weeks, you're a funny dude. I am a sub haha
Well, I'm with you to a point. I don't really believe pure topical humor is the best. But I also see it as a vehicle to do things. Bait, so to speak.

I also try to do satire of it rather than just "har har har, thing happened!"

When I was younger my friends and I did purely random stuff, and to be honest I feel like today I'm making better/funnier things. If you had told me at that point I would ever think that about topical humor, I wouldn't have listened.
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My humor can be topical, but then it's only gonna be funny if I'm not trying to make it funny. If I set out to do something funny it's gonna be randomness, if I'm just talking about a subject passionately it often times just gets funny. And I've noticed can be way funnier than my comedy vlogs.
 
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