The Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing

Ebook
On sale Jul 06, 2004 | 352 Pages | 9781440696206

Comedy is serious business—and serious money. In this guide, comedian, writer, and teacher James Mendrinos explains the principles of comedy and how to apply them to forms from stand-up to sitcoms- including fiction, film, speeches, articles, essays, and more. He also includes exercises designed to hone the craft, break through writer’s block, and tailor a piece to its intended audience.

In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get:
•  Foolproof advice for writing scripts, feature films, plays, cartoons, stand-up jokes—even working humor into your presentation at work.
•  Terrific techniques for brainstorming, free associating, and drafting lists to make your writing better—and funnier.
•  Stand-up tips on identifying with and writing for your audience and genre.
•  Navigation tools for the inroads to marketing and selling your comedy.
James Mendrinos is a New York-based writer and comedian and long time comedy writing teacher for the Gotham Writer’s Workshops. He is a former touring stand-up comic, working with Chris Rock, Colin Quinn, and Sam Kinison, and has appeared on Comedy Central. He was the sole writer for USA Network Presents: The Problem Child, starring Gilbert Gottfried, and has written and contributed to numerous other network projects for MTV, NBC, and more. He is also an active writer for film and stage, including many film options and over 60 stage productions in New York City. View titles by James Mendrinos

About

Comedy is serious business—and serious money. In this guide, comedian, writer, and teacher James Mendrinos explains the principles of comedy and how to apply them to forms from stand-up to sitcoms- including fiction, film, speeches, articles, essays, and more. He also includes exercises designed to hone the craft, break through writer’s block, and tailor a piece to its intended audience.

In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get:
•  Foolproof advice for writing scripts, feature films, plays, cartoons, stand-up jokes—even working humor into your presentation at work.
•  Terrific techniques for brainstorming, free associating, and drafting lists to make your writing better—and funnier.
•  Stand-up tips on identifying with and writing for your audience and genre.
•  Navigation tools for the inroads to marketing and selling your comedy.

Author

James Mendrinos is a New York-based writer and comedian and long time comedy writing teacher for the Gotham Writer’s Workshops. He is a former touring stand-up comic, working with Chris Rock, Colin Quinn, and Sam Kinison, and has appeared on Comedy Central. He was the sole writer for USA Network Presents: The Problem Child, starring Gilbert Gottfried, and has written and contributed to numerous other network projects for MTV, NBC, and more. He is also an active writer for film and stage, including many film options and over 60 stage productions in New York City. View titles by James Mendrinos