Define Your Comic Character
Remember to define your comic character’s wants, needs and fears.
“Once you introduce the comic premise, you need to trust that the characters–their wants, needs and fears–will create more than enough action and plot to keep the narrative rolling along.”
The Comic Hero’s Journey by Steve Kaplan at p. 68.
Define Your Character Clearly such that the Reader/Viewer Knows the Character’s Reaction
I attended a great family zoom presentation by Jonathan Aibel (Screenwriter, TROLLS, KUNG FU PANDA) and I asked him his advice for making a script funnier. He said (and I’m paraphrasing because my notes are messy) that usually it’s a matter of knowing your character and defining the character more clearly. And so, the comedy comes from knowing the character’s reaction.
It was a family event, so, afterwards, my daughter said to me, like Monica in FRIENDS being a “neat freak.” As soon as the room is messy, you know Monica wants to clean it and she’s having a hard time controlling herself and not cleaning it. My daughter gave the example of the Friends episode “Ross with the Dirty Girl.” Ross tells Monica about a date he had with a very messy woman, and Monica can’t help herself; she goes over to the woman’s house and offers to clean. In that episode, Ross’s date with the woman is the comic set piece (so funny) and Monica’s coming over afterwards to clean it is the topper.
Or if you think of Becky Bloomwood in Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series, what will Becky do if she’s passing by a 70% sale on scarves, even though she’s late to a meeting?
Create another Character who is the Opposite
As discussed in previous posts, use comic opposites to highlight the differences. If you’ve defined your character, create another character who is the complete opposite. This will immediately introduce conflict. Sophie Kinsella created Becky’s sister, Jess, in Shopaholic & Sister. Jess is the complete opposite with respect to shopping. Jess is thrifty and doesn’t believe in the value of material goods. Sophie Kinsella uses Jess brilliantly again in Christmas Shopaholic to question Christmas commercialism:
“As for presents, no, there is nothing I am ‘hankering after.’ Tom and I will be exchanging non-tangible gifts, in the spirit of creating a minimal footprint on our ravaged earth.
If you can’t shake off the pressure to buy pointless items simply to follow tradition, could I suggest that they are sustainable, non-consumerist, locally sourced presents that reflect the true principles of fellowship rather than the hollow presents of shopping?”
Looking forward to a festive day,
Jess.”
Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella at p.37
In SHREK, the donkey is the comic sidekick who wants to befriend Shrek when Shrek thinks he doesn’t need friends. OR think Oscar and Felix in The Odd Couple (to go way back). In TROLLS, it’s dour Harry meets optimistic Sally again.
Let’s Talk
How are you doing? What is your favorite pairing of comic opposites? Do you have any summer beach read recommendations?
Hoping you are doing well.