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[In comedy] you never want to leave the actors hanging out…

“[In comedy] you never want to leave the actors hanging out to dry. So you need to come up with funny individual stories for each character, and then you do this sort of comedy geometry, weaving them together. Once you've got a funny structure and you know why the scenes are funny, then you get…” quote by Jeff Schaffer
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“[In comedy] you never want to leave the actors hanging out to dry. So you need to come up with funny individual stories for each character, and then you do this sort of comedy geometry, weaving them together. Once you've got a funny structure and you know why the scenes are funny, then you get super funny people to say your own lines, say their own lines, say things in their own way, and every scene is a live rewrite in front of the camera.”

Jeff Schaffer

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Comedy writing involves creating individual funny storylines, weaving them together, and letting actors improvise for a dynamic, live rewrite.

In simple terms: Comedy thrives on structure and improvisation.

Key Takeaway

Blend planning with spontaneity.

Themes

comedy writing improvisation story structure collaboration

Mood

creative energetic

Type

instructional entertaining

When to use this quote

  • script development
  • live shows
  • team brainstorming

Key Concepts

creative process performance art

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance script and improv?
  • What makes a scene organically funny?
A Different Perspective

Too much improvisation can lose narrative focus.

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