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DRAFT ZERO

DZ-116: Writing Physical Comedy

How do you make extended technical scenes funny on the page?

⏱ 1h 35m
Words · Structure · Genre | 26 FEB 2025

Show Notes

Mel joins Chas to tackle physical comedy. We limited our homework selection to extended scenes (as opposed to moments and sight gags) in live action projects and – with the help of our Patreons – selected early sequences from BRINGING UP BABY, the pilot for HAPPY ENDINGS and that wonderful food poisoning scene in BRIDESMAIDS.

We discover how these incredible writers take their time (on the page) to set up geography, framing and running gags. We also get tips on judicious use ALL CAPS, ellipses and M-dashes to recreate visual gags… and when to just let a paragraph go long and draw attention to itself.

This episode brought to you by (drum roll) ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a pro subscription!

"Having characters talking about what’s happening is the funnier option than doing it in big print."

Chas Fisher  |  DZ-116: Writing Physical Comedy

Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre and Lily.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.


Chapters

  • 00:00:00 – Cold Open
  • 00:00:19 – What physical comedy scenes are we looking at?
  • 00:10:27 – BRINGING UP BABY
  • 00:31:44 – Thank you, Arc Studio Pro!
  • 00:34:34 – HAPPY ENDINGS pilot
  • 00:58:15 – BRIDESMAIDS
  • 01:27:31 – Key learnings
  • 01:33:56 – Thank you amazing Patreons!

More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons.

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We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.