If you love to write and have a great sense of humor, being a comedy writer could be the ideal career for you. When we see our favorite comedians on stage or TV, making people laugh seems like child’s play. The truth is, it takes a lot of skill to make people laugh.
That’s why comedy writing is big business. It takes a unique talent to write laugh-worthy material. A gift for the written word, coupled with an understanding of comic timing are just two traits a successful comedy writer needs.
There are many paths you can take to becoming a comedy writer. Many comedy writers start as stand up comics and later transition into writing. Some comedy writers spend their careers writing books. Perhaps you want to write a sketch for late-night TV or a sitcom. There are many options, so before getting started, you may want to think about your niche.
Becoming a comedy writer requires passion, grit, and a little bit of luck. Prepare yourself for rejection. The competition is stiff. However, with determination and talent, you can make it as a comedy writer. So you want to know how to become a comedy writer now? In this article, we’re going to tell you how.
What is a Comedy Writer?
A comedy writer’s main job is to make an audience laugh. They do this behind the scenes, crafting jokes for your favorite sitcom or writing dry humor for a satirical magazine. The career path is broad. You could find yourself working in any number of positions.
Comedy writers bring a knowledge of the elements of comedy and an understanding of what makes a good joke to their jobs. Comedy writers can apply these skills to any number of positions within the field.
Comedy writers home in on the funny in what many would consider the mundane moments of everyday life. They may write about whatever interests them. If they are scriptwriters for a TV show, they will focus their comedy on interpersonal issues.
Other comedy writers satirize the news. If you have ever read the Onion or watched the Daily Show, you know what this is all about. Comedy is universal. Therefore almost any topic is fair game. The most important element is that it must make people laugh.
What Type of Training Do Comedy Writers Need?
If you’re asking how to become a comedy writer now, you definitely want to know what kind of training you need. There are no formal educational requirements for becoming a comedy writer and like in all writing professions, getting hired boils down to whether your content is good. If you write good content that makes people laugh, nobody will care about your formal qualifications.
That being said, many comedy writers do have college degrees. Some of them have gone to top colleges. So if you already have your degree in hand, please don’t feel like you wasted your time and money. Comedy writing is above all about writing skills. You may have refined your writing skills in college.
Taking a class at your local improv theater is a great way to network with others interested in comedy while gaining experience. There are also formal comedy courses available. Many of them focus on the performance aspect of comedy, but there are some writer based courses available.
Plus, as a comedy writer, taking a few performance-based classes won’t hurt. As a comedy writer, it is important to understand both sides of the industry. Watching hours of TV and movies will help you learn the art of comedy as well. Performing stand-up comedy is excellent training as well. Many stand up comics have transitioned to comedy writers.
Breaking into Comedy Writing
As we mentioned earlier, comedy writing is a vast genre. Some of the most well-known career paths include writing for television, becoming a comedic playwright, and writing for a satirical website.
Writing For Television
If you are going to write for TV, you will need a portfolio. You may wonder how you could possibly have a portfolio if you have never had a job in television. The trick is, start writing your material now. You could create a personal blog to host your material.
The comedy writer’s job hunt is much like everyone else’s. You will have to review job board listings and apply to openings. Networking and looking for opportunities on social media such as Twitter may also lead you to opportunities.
Comedic Playwright
If your goal is to become a comedic playwright, consider networking with local theaters. You will also need a portfolio to showcase your work when opportunities become available. Open calls for work are common in the theater industry, so be sure your work is ready when those opportunities come along.
Satirical Websites
If you have a gift for dry humor, a sharp wit, and a love for current events, a satirical website may be a good fit. You will follow the same steps as all freelance writers to apply for jobs. Visit the different websites to determine their submission requirements. Some websites will take pitches. Others will accept full submissions.
Late-Night TV Writer
Jokes are a requirement for late-night TV comedy writers. You will need to have a portfolio full of them. Some shows require a written submission in addition to the jokes portfolio. You will be required to tailor your submission package to the specific show.
Final Thoughts
If you have a gift for making people laugh and can translate that talent to the written word, comedy writing may be the career choice for you. There is no easy way to break into the industry, it’ll take a lot of hard work, but it is certainly worth the effort.
Whether you want to write for television or satirical websites, you will need a strong portfolio to showcase your work. For some positions, you may need to submit a packet of jokes or a monologue. Whichever path you choose, it is essential to network with others on a similar career path.
If being a comedy writer is your dream, it is doable. It’ll be hard work, but the end result will be a gratifying career. Follow the steps set out above on how to become a comedy writer now, and you’ll be well on your way.
