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The Hidden Tools of Comedy: The Serious Business of Being Funny Paperback – July 1, 2013

by Steve Kaplan (Author)

139 customer reviews

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While other books give you tips on how to “write funny,” this book offers a paradigm shift in understanding the mechanics and art of comedy, and the proven, practical tools that help writers translate that understanding into successful, commercial scripts. The Hidden Tools of Comedy unlocks the unique secrets and techniques of writing comedy. Kaplan deconstructs sequences in popular films and TV that work and don’t work, and explains what tools were used (or should have been used).

The Hidden Tools of Comedy: The Serious Business of Being Funny

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

For more than a decade, Steve Kaplan has been the industry’s most sought-after expert on comedy writing and production. In addition to having taught at UCLA, NYU, Yale, and other top universities, Kaplan created the HBO Workspace, the HBO New Writers Program, and was co-founder and Artistic Director of Manhattan’s Punch Line Theatre. He has served as a consultant to such companies as DreamWorks, Disney, Aardman Animation, HBO, and has worked with producers and production companies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, London, Ireland, and Sweden.

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Product details

Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions; 6/20/13 edition (July 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1615931406
ISBN-13: 978-1615931408
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (139 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #59 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Comedy
- #425 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts
- #512 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies

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Customer Reviews

139

4.6 out of 5 stars

5 star		83%
4 star		12%
3 star		2%
2 star		1%
1 star		2%

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Top Customer Reviews

Fun and Educational for Specific Writers

ByKNHYon November 14, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I bought this book thinking I would get tips on how to make my blog funnier and more engaging. That's not what this is about at all. His focus is on writing funny stories for movies, sitcoms and theater. How to create an engaging character in a funny situation. I can now articulate why I think some tv shows are funnier than others, but I don think I'm going to write a funnier blog as a result of this read.

11 comment 12 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Swiss Army Knife of Comedy Tools at your fingertips

ByJustin P Bechtoldon March 17, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

What I love about this book, is that it just makes sense. It's not bogged down in formulas or structures, it reminds us that being human is comedy enough. Best of all, this is not a paint-by-numbers lecture on how to write comedy, it's a Swiss Army knife of practical comedy tools to apply whenever something isn't working.

This book transforms you from 'Non-hero' to 'Hero'. Arming you with the required skills and tools with which to win at sharpening your comic ability to see what's wrong with your scenes and how to fix them.

I've been writing comedy for over 20 years and I still discovered countless 'ah-ha!' moments. Things I never realised or considered before and things I knew and felt, but could never articulate. The thin line/wavy line theory is a prime example of that.

I would recommend this book to anyone who writes comedy in any shape or format, as a must-have compendium to your comic toolbox.

0Comment 13 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

WARNING: Once you read this you'll never again be able to watch half-assed comedy with the same respect. After reading this book

ByChris Sharpon August 23, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Steve Kaplan will open your mind to what comedy really is if you're a writer. His insights and many, many examples provided for each are worth much more than the price of this book.

I like the book so much I'm going to attend his two-day intensive session in Los Angeles in January 2016. I'm flying from Colorado to do it.

If you're trying to write and trying to add humor to scenes you NEED this book.

Don't think you can sit and just read this. If you're a writer you're going to need a notebook with you while you read.

I want to gush about the things I've learned but then that would spoil your fun.

Okay... I'll share just one good thing I got. Don't try to write funny. In each situation let your Bill Murray character just do what they would naturally do in a scene to get what they are trying to get. As Steve Kaplan says, "Give them permission to win." If you try to write funny bits, and wouldn't it be neat if--you're going to fail. Instead, just ask, "What would I do in this situation? What would a normal person do in the situation?" Don't try to make them do something silly or funny for a gag or a laugh-be honest. Let your characters be honest. The humor will come from their struggle.

The book is stuffed with things like this (and it will make much more sense when you read it from Steve Kaplan's own words.

I laughed out loud several times reading this book. Really. Wait until you encounter the three people leaving the room, and also the slap interview.

If you're a writer or story lover, or film student this book is a must.

WARNING: Once you read this you'll never again be able to watch half-assed comedy with the same respect. After reading this book you're going to see good story, good acting and good comedy much more clearly.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A few more tools for the toolbox

ByTimon December 29, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This was definitely worth the read! Chock full of great information and techniques about comedy writing for TV, film and web series. Comedy writing for TV and film is different from stand-up. It's not setup joke, setup joke. It's a more organic, character driven process. When you start writing anything, you'll get stuck eventually. Steve introduces you to some very helpful tools that you can whip out when you're stuck that will help get you unstuck and on your way. The only con to it is there aren't any exercises to help reinforce the material. Other than that,an amazing book.

0Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Chock full of valuable material you can use again and again, a true writing reference book

ByHands On Equineon October 13, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I'm actually still reading this book, but that's one of the reasons I wanted to write a review--it's so densely packed with information and ideas to ponder that I have been reading it in installments and trying to apply it as I go, both in viewing and in writing comedy. I can already tell this will be a long-term reference for me as a writer. The book is thorough in its approach and unique in presenting comedy writing outside of most formulaic techniques. I also like that the author takes the time to answer personal correspondence from his website related to the book's material. I would like to take a workshop with him one day in the near future. Lots to absorb here, so plan on reading it slowly or re-reading after you've had a chance to think about the content over time.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A Prescription for Writers

ByKaren Haason November 21, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Back when doctors used to make house calls, they often carried a mysterious black bag for the tools of their trade. Like what you can find in that bag, Steve Kaplan’s book, THE HIDDEN TOOLS OF COMEDY, can help diagnose and treat what ails a comedy writer’s work, keep it healthy, and prevent tragedy.

Like a doctor, a comedian also uncovers the truth about what it’s like to be human. Even though some of us may simply give up hope, as a species we tend to go on and get up after being knocked down, worse for wear, but alive and kicking. According to Steve, the courageous person who gets up again and admits to being human, telling the truth about the experience is the comedian. The person in trouble who doesn’t give up hope is the premise of all comedy.

I learned a great deal from the tools in this book but mostly I learned not to be afraid to trust my own vision. Steve’s book lets me know that following characters honestly and organically does not always result in side-splitting results, but that’s OK. Whatever you can create this way will be your own version of sweet, silly, touching, moving and truthful because such is life.

We all know that laughter is the best medicine. Thanks to Steve Kaplan, not only will struggling writers recover and smile again, but everyone who reads their resulting work will become healthier. He’s the Surgeon General of Comedy and this book is his black bag.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most Recent Customer Reviews

An invaluable book!

I read this book from cover to cover and it has really helped me put into perspective what it is that's going on that works in good comedies, and what doesn't work in bad...Read more

Published 23 days ago by Sean Sohacki

misses many elements of humor

I got this book as a gift. The author has not taken into account any of the research data accumulated over the years on humor and instead of doing that and building on it and...Read more

Published 26 days ago by dzapak

A quality book on comedy made for all people.

Kaplan reveals the 'hidden tools' so that anyone can be a comedian. He puts an artistic spin on conventional knowledge of comedy.Read more

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer

Best "How to Write Comedy" Book Ever Written

I've read about 15 "how to write funny stuff" books, most of which are either too vague or ridiculously complicated and impractical (step #387 - spend 35 minutes a day...Read more

Published 1 month ago by Anthony Green

Excellent tool for writers, performers, and general communication!

Steve Kaplan knows his comedy stuff. His ideas, suggestions, and explanations are clear (and fun). You can incorporate his ideas int to all kinds of situations and work.Read more

Published 2 months ago by NOLA Judy

Five Stars

Hilarious !!!!Read more

Published 2 months ago by Maria Ujifusa

the need to be comfortable with not knowing – that common

I have been in process of workshopping a solo show I'm planning to take to Edinburgh Fringe and this book has been invaluable.Read more

Published 3 months ago by W. D. Temple

Five Stars

Great tool learning !!Read more

Published 3 months ago by Patricia Lisun

Great tool to improve your inner funny bone

Excellent book on how to write comedy as well as perform comedy Read more

Published 5 months ago by Amazon Customer

Four Stars

The first half is better than the second half.Read more

Published 5 months ago by Kan Chun Kong

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