You're Funny. DB Gilles
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“The irony of laughter is it not only heals us, it's contagious, and when something is really funny, it brings tears to our eyes. I highly recommend You're Funny for all writers who would like to add more humor, joy, happiness, and healing energy into our world.”
– Ann Baldwin, screenwriter & author, The Power of Dreams; writer, http://ahigherfrequency.blogspot.com
“Fast. Funny. Informative. D.B. Gilles has written a delightful book about tapping into your inner funny. Read it. You'll laugh. You'll learn.”
– Matt Williams, co-creator/producer, Roseanne, Home Improvement
“Reading D.B. Gilles' You're Funny! is like having a friend in the business. A really good friend! He's funny, he's honest, and he speaks the truth. He tells you things you didn't even think to ask, like why writing for TV makes you fat.”
– Ellen Sandler, former co-executive producer, Everybody Loves Raymond; author of The TV Writer's Workbook
“When D.B. speaks, smart people listen. He is the Sancho Panza of writing teachers, full of worldly wisdom and common sense, and funny – you won't find a funnier book on comedy writing. Plus his advice is practical and can put money in your pocket.”
– Christopher Vogler, author of The Writers Journey
“Gilles' straightforward how-to teaches you all the rules you need to play this crazy comedy game. A useful and enjoyable guide for any aspiring television writer.”
– Marika Sawyer, writer, Saturday Night Live
“D.B. is a positive force for comedy. You're Funny! is a funny, entertaining, and practical guide for anyone wanting to break into the world of comedy writing.”
– Jeff Cox, writer, Blades of Glory
“You're Funny! is one of the best books available on comedy writing with a 24-carat- gold payoff – specific guidance on how to turn those skills into a profitable career.”
– Don DeMaio, American Comedy Institute
”You're Funny! is the first how-to handbook that ever got me laughing out loud. A longtime student of the comedy game, D.B. knows his stuff and is damned funny in passing the secrets on. A real treat.”
– David McKenna, co-author of Memo From the Story Department
“If there ever was a book to tap in to your inner comic demon, You're Funny is it. Even if you don't consider yourself funny, D.B. Gilles has written a terrifically entertaining read.”
– Lamar Sanders, chair, undergraduate division Kanbar Institute of Film & Television, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
YOU'REFUNNY!
Turn your
SENSE OF HUMOR
into a
lucrative new career
D.B. GILLES
Also by D.B. Gilles
Nonfiction
The Screenwriter Within
The Portable Film School
Humor
W. The First 100 Days: A White House Journal (With Sheldon Woodbury)
Plays
Sparking Object
Cash Flow
Men's Singles
The Legendary Stardust Boys
The Girl Who Loved the Beatles
Screenplays
Dashing Through the Snow
The Brainiac
Thinly Disguised
I Remember You
We should consider every day lost on which we
have not danced at least once. And we should
call every truth false which was not accompanied
by at least one laugh.
– Friedrich Nietzsche
We never respect those who amuse us,
however we may smile at their comic powers.
– Marguerite Blessington
To my students, friends, and colleagues
in The Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & Television,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.
And…
To everyone who ever made me laugh.
Acknowledgments
A very special thanks to Christopher Vogler. Also to David McKenna and my agent, Michael Bourret. Major props to Denise Bongiovanni (a great stand-up) and Jack Moore (who will be a great stand-up) for their insights. Once again, thanks to the usual suspects, Don DeMaio and Sheldon Woodbury, for being great friends and sounding boards. I'd also like to thank the following comic minds who have given me tons of laughs over the years: George Carlin, Woody Allen, Howard Stern, Adam Carolla, David Letterman, Larry David, and Steve Allen. To my sister, Kathy, and as always, a big pug thanks to Jane Campbell, my toughest critic and best audience.
Published by Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
tel. 818.379.8799 | fax 818.986.3408
[email protected] | www.mwp.com
Cover Design: Johnny Ink www.johnnyink.com Book Design: Gina Mansfield Design Editor: Bob Somerville
Printed by McNaughton & Gunn, Inc., Saline, Michigan
Manufactured in the United States of America
© 2011 by D.B. Gilles
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gilles, D.B.
You're funny! : turn your sense of humor into a lucrative new career / D.B. Gilles.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-932907-95-7
1. Wit and humor--Authorship. 2. Comedy--Authorship. I. Title.
PN6149.A88G55 2011
808.7--dc22
2011002513
Table Of Contents
Foreword: You Can Say Funny Stuff, But Can You Write It?
PART 1 Two Jews Walk Into a Bar: Comedy Writing Basics