Suber Lesson #2
From the pages of Howard Suber's The Power of Film" (Michael Weise, 424 pages), here's Suber Lesson #2: "I.A.L. Diamond,who co-authored Some Like it Hot with Billy Wilder, once said that a good comedy uses 'a sub-structure that's as strong as it would be in drama...I think any comedy, with a slight change of emphasis, should be able to play as a drama." People who have never learned the essence of telling a joke will often begin by telling you, 'This is funny.' But effective humor, whether it's in a joke or a feature film, depends on the teller of the story pretending not to knowit's funny."
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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 19, 2006 at 4:59 PM
comment #1
Thrudvangar
says ...
Nacho Libre. Perfect example.
Posted by Thrudvangar
at September 20, 2006 3:16 AM
comment #2
Edward
says ...
Comedy is difficult, because it's so subjective. Saying, "This is funny" is not a good way to start a comedy or joke. It's either funny or it's not and if we're told it's funny, it could more possibly be not funny.
Posted by Edward
at September 20, 2006 12:45 PM
comment #3
Joe Leydon
says ...
Look at "Dr. Strangelove." A classic example of a movie in which the characters are dead serious while being extraordinarily (albeit bleakly) hilarious.
Posted by Joe Leydon
at September 20, 2006 9:15 PM