Comedy sketches can be a game changer for your shows, especially your online shows. With the ability to add a pre-recorded sketch into a livestream, the possibilities are endless. In this article, I will show you how to write a comedy sketch.
But what is sketch comedy?
How do you start writing one?
How does it engage people?
This article will answer all the questions above. Let me start with the first one:
What is a Sketch Comedy?
Well, according to Wikipedia, “A sketch comedy is a series of scenes called sketches, which have been performed by one or a bunch of comedians on the stage, by using audio or visual methods. ”
Mostly, sketch comedy is about 10 minutes in length and includes a series of scenes that comedians have planned, according to the script.
Where to Start?
Every comedy starts with an idea. It’s as simple as that. An idea that gets put onto paper or into a script.
When you think of sketch comedy, you have a bunch of characters in your mind and create a unique sketch. It usually ends up with complicated games, where people try to figure what is going on during the show.
The idea is the origin, so it must be straightforward. The idea fuels the writer to get the proper point across to the audience.
Start simple, with two characters, and build a sketch. Think about your original idea and then add other characters into it. Your idea, along with characters, is the raw format of sketch comedy creation.
How to Write a Sketch Comedy Script
Below are the nine steps to write a good sketch comedy quickly. Follow these steps, and I am sure you will come up with a great sketch comedy script.
#1 Brainstorm Ideas
In every scripting or sketching process, the most important and easiest way to get an idea is to brainstorm. It is a process where several ideas are projected by members of a group or by yourself.
Brainstorming will help you gather many different ideas.
First, try to figure out what you need to get your idea across and how you can make it possible.
#2 Capture the Target Audience
What is your target audience? You can’t deliver the same jokes or the same script or sketches to every single audience unless it is a very general subject matter. You need to separate the target audience so that the show could be effective enough for your audience.
Try to figure out the average audience’s age and try to separate your script regarding the content, for example. If your audience is more likely to belong to an age group of 10 to 20, try to reduce the sexual content of it. Otherwise, it will create an awkward experience for everybody.
Similarly, think about the kind of people in your audience. Always keep in mind that your content might not be funny for some people or can hurt somebody’s feelings due to its subject matter. So try to figure out who your intended audience is and group your jokes accordingly.
#3 Research, Research, and Research
The essential step in the whole process is research.
Try to watch different videos and watch various shows to gather knowledge around your topic. Observe other comedians’ patterns that capture their audience. Observe their performance keenly to get some tips out of it. Research will enhance your comedy insight.
#4 Develop Jokes from Research
Always make some notes during your research. Mental notes usually disappear after a few minutes, so make sure to type your notes or write them on paper.
Try and write ideas based off of what you watched and research. During research, you usually will have many new ideas to play with.
#5 Work on Joke Timing
Always work on joke timing. Comedy is all about cracking a joke with perfect timing. Time really plays a significant role in comedy; without timing, the joke might fall flat.
Always work on your timing.
#6 Don’t Copy
Don’t ever try to copy somebody’s jokes. Be unique in your craft. Stealing a joke might give you one more minute of material, but it actually decreases your creativity level and will negatively affect your bookers. So always focus on your craft and never stealing other’s jokes.
#7 Outline
All of the above steps are to get your content created. Now, it’s time to visualize it on paper. Creating a perfect outline will visualize it in the way you want to present.
#8 Go for the Standards
Staying in your comfort zone is good, but reaching industry standards will be more effective. If you can achieve industry standards, you might have a chance to advance your career. Think about all of your research. The shows you watched, the performances you watched, that is the industry standard.
#9 Give it a Proper Ending
Giving a strong ending will optimize your overall script and effort. A strong ending decides if a film is good or not; this is similar in comedy as well. Sometimes experienced writers go for reverse scripting where they try to write a strong ending first and write the rest of the script.
So get out there and create some new sketches! The world could sure use them right now.