The Art of Comedy: Getting Serious About Being Funny [Paperback]

Paul Ryan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 2007

Dyin' out there? Learn how to act funny from a top Hollywood expert.


Want to know a secret? Sssshhhh. Great comedy actors aren't born...they're made. Who makes them? Paul Ryan, that's who. Now Ryan, the top comedy acting coach in Hollywood, shares his secrets in The Art of Comedy, a step-by-step guide for turning actors into comedy actors. Packed with exercises, The Art of Comedy explains exactly how to build a character, how to incorporate improvisation into a written scene, where to turn for comic inspiration, and how to increase your comedic imagination. Also included is a technical analysis of comedy greats from Milton Berle to Jerry Seinfeld. For anyone who wants to work in film, in television, or in community theater, here's the complete guide to acting funny.



• Written by Hollywood's top comedy acting coach


• Packed with practical step-by-step exercises


• Gives actors at every level an edge at comedy auditions

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Ryan has been Hollywood’s top comedy acting coach for more than twenty years; his studio is at CBS Television. A correspondent at KTLA Morning News In Los Angeles, he has created, produced, and hosted more than 700 in-depth TV talk shows with such stars as Robin Williams, Jay Leno, Gene Hackman, and Sophia Loren. He recently finished a TV comedy, Hollywood Alive, featuring his CBS students. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books; 1st edition (May 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823084671
• ISBN-13: 978-0823084678
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An informative and fun read!!!, October 16, 2007

By 

TMart (Toluca Lake, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Comedy: Getting Serious About Being Funny (Paperback)

As an acting teacher, I have suugested my students struggling with understanding comedy, buy this book. It's current, easy, fun, funny and will give you a step by step guide on how to be funny, how to understand funny and how to recognize funny. The exercises are very helpful. A must read if you have any interest in getting into comedy as a performer.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Comedian, April 10, 2009

By 

J. Sullivan - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Comedy: Getting Serious About Being Funny (Paperback)

If you are a stand-up wanting to get a book to help you in the craft - this is not the book for you!

You would be much better off buying Ajaye's "Comic Insights" or Carter's "Comedy Bible" and watching a lot of comedy.


This book is more for comic theatre actors, and then it is not much chop. The end.

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding, February 19, 2011

By 

Betty Tucker (Long Island) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Comedy: Getting Serious About Being Funny (Paperback)

"The Art of Comedy" has to be one of the most outstanding books on this subject.The detailed info and lessons are totally amazing. It covers everything you need to know about bringing out the best in an individual.Thank you Paul Ryan.