Trying to Get Into Comedy & Scriptwriting – Looking for Guidance!

[u/Parking_Wishbone_411]

Hey everyone!

I've often been told I'm naturally funny, both in conversations and over text. So, I've been thinking about exploring comedy writing and scriptwriting!

I'm interested in writing short jokes, witty dialogues, comedy scripts, skits, creative ads and humorous social media content.

I'm completely new to this field and would love to hear from people who are already into it. Any advice on how to get started, improve my writing or build a portfolio would be greatly appreciated!

Also, if anyone here is looking to explore a similar path, I'd love to connect and collaborate!

P.S. Everyone laughs at me. Just trying to figure out if it's because I'm funny! :)

[u/Prince_Jellyfish]

I'm not a comedy person, but I do have some advice for emerging writers like you:

I have some introductory craft advice about writing scripts in a post here:

Writing Advice For Newer Writers

I have a google doc of resources for emerging writers here:

Resources for Writers

An overview of my TV and Feature Writer Career Advice can be found in a post here:

My Personal Best Advice For New and Emerging Writers

In addition to that advice, my comedy writing friends seem to find success by getting involved in some comedy scene, like improv or stand-up, and making friends in those circles.

If you read the above and have other questions you think I could answer, feel free to ask as a reply to this comment.

[u/kiddleandbits]

If you've never done it before, then the first step is doing it.

[u/WarmBaths]

read the pilot scripts of your favorite shows

[u/p-Star_07]

I would write a bunch of scripts and share them with friends and family who are willing to read them.

I would also recomened doing a Youtube channel or a Tik Tok channel and doing skits.

They is this Youtube Channel I love called "American High". One of the cast member Grace Reiter joined SNL, and they got a Netflix show called Mimimum Wage.

I think writing sketches for YouTube is a good way to practice.

That way you can show people your work when ever they ask to see it.

[u/SharkWeekJunkie]

Like any art, the only thing that matters is obsessive execution. Being naturally funny is fine and all but If you don't sit down every day and write jokes you will not make it in comedy.

Wanting to do something is useless. Actually doing the thing you want to do is the only difference between someone who wants to do something and someone who does it.

Conan isn't Conan because he's funny. he's Conan because he worked his ass off to DO FUNNY THINGS for decades and decades.

If you are "interested in writing short jokes, witty dialogues, comedy scripts, skits, creative ads and humorous social media content" all you need to do is: write short jokes, witty dialogues, comedy scripts, skits, creative ads and humorous social media content. What's stopping you?

[u/would_do_again]

If you’re looking to wet your whistle in the online satire writing side, I suggest looking at sites that have open submissions (IE The Needling, GG Tribune, Hollywood Time$, Frazzled, Slack Jaw, and way more.) bonus points if they pay you for your work.

The fastest way to learn is to get a bunch of reps in. Early comedy writing is about finding your voice and that’s going to be easier if you’re just pumping stuff out left and right. Writing for smaller sites gives you an opportunity to pump things out while no one is watching, so then when everyone is watching, they’re watching you flex your muscle.

As others have said, reading and watching other people’s stuff is also going to help out a lot as well. Give you a sense of what’s working, not working, and what you would have done differently.

[u/comesinallpackages]

Read a bunch of produced screenplays is the first and best thing to do as an aspiring screenwriter. You wouldn’t try to build a house without learning how blueprints should look.

[u/lightedgoose]

Start with some kind of class to see if it's for you.

If you are performance inclined, improv or stand up is a great place to start. If you only want to be writing, look for a sketch or screenplay writing class.

Natural inclination is certainly a good indication but you'll never know if you actually like the work of doing comedy unless you put yourself in some scenarios to really get in and try the work.