Whether you think the tiger joke is funny or not, whatever humor is there is made funnier by the buildup that preceded it. As an animal lover, I’m not a big fan of the tiger joke–but I do think it’s funny that Phil goes on and on about how amazed he is by the animal, and then is exposed as a fraud a few seconds later. This buildup is followed by Phil pretending to do lewd activities with the majestic beast. While watching the tape, Phil says, “you know, I just have to say, I have never seen a more beautiful, elegant…just regal creature.” The gang has returned the tiger to Mike Tyson’s home and are reviewing security camera footage in order to see if Doug was with them then (he was). The tiger also plays a part in another example. Plus, when you witness the tiger waking up in the backseat of the car and mauling it to pieces, you should laugh harder because of what the characters anticipated several scenes earlier. If that didn’t make you laugh, at the very least it should have made you smile. But when the car is brought to them, it was in pristine condition (although maybe a little dusty). When the guys are waiting at the impound lot, they muse about how wrecked the Mercedes will be. Why do that? When you widen the gap between your character’s expectations (and therefore the audience’s) and what happens, you widen the scope of the reversal…hopefully producing bigger laughs. To increase the humor in your comedy script, have your characters anticipate the exact opposite of what’s about to occur next. So when you’re sitting down to write your comedy script, ask yourself how can I create a reversal of my audience’s expectations? Comedy Script Screenwriting Tip #2: The big build up The rest of the comedy screenwriting tips in this post are actually just nuances of this basic principle reversals are the blueprint that your screenplay will be built on. When the crew raises the funds through blackjack wins, they make the exchange, only to find that the Doug they rescued wasn’t their Doug, but a black drug dealer Doug.Īs you can see, understanding reversals is the key to writing a comedy.
Phil, Stu and Alan hear a sound in the trunk of the Mercedes.The guys drive the drugged tiger back to Mike Tyson’s house, believing the animal to be sedated–but he wakes up and he’s not happy.The boys use roofies to drug the tiger–not exactly approved by a big cat veterinarian.Alan goes into the suite bathroom, normally a sanctuary for both men and women, and finds a giant tiger inside.Stu plans to propose to his uptight girlfriend and instead marries a stripper.When Phil drives the cruiser, he doesn’t act at all like an officer of the law…remember the lady in leopard print?.Phil, Alan and Stu wait at the valet stand expecting the valet to bring them a 1969 Mercedes–instead he drives over a police cruiser.How do you create humor by going against expectations? Some examples from The Hangover should help clarify: Writing a comedy script is actually pretty easy because the basis of the humor–a one-liner, a complicated joke, repartee, sarcasm, slapstick and comic set pieces–is rooted in reversals.Īll comedy is based on reversals: taking audience expectations and subverting them.
Comedy Script Screenwriting Tip #1: Employ reversals These screenwriting tips are applicable to screenplays for children, adults…and adults who behave like children. While The Hangover is known for its R-rated humor, don’t worry. This post will give you an overview of comedy writing secrets by examining the 2009 summer blockbuster The Hangover.
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If you’re wondering how to write a comedy script, look no further.
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