comedy writing

"From my own experiences I've learned that quirky, different, fringe projects that may only be cult, often travel a lot better internationally. Mainstream comedians and TV shows that might be the biggest thing, on say, UK TV for a while, often don't sell a sausage around the world. Comics selling out arenas in the UK often can't sell a ticket in America or many other places."

— Ricky Gervais

for Creatives  |  create for YOURSELF, TV series, comedy, the successful artist, reaching your audience, Ricky Gervais, TV writing, comedy writing

"You should always try your hardest. The Office was the first thing I really tried my hardest at. I don't know why I started this radical new approach then, but I think it was one of those carpe diem type revelations. I came into the industry with a slightly older head on my shoulders than most and maybe deep down knew I shouldn't blow the opportunity. I put everything into it. A lifetime of experiences, and I couldn't have been prouder of the results. I don't even mean the success of the show, but simply the finished product. I was the laziest man in the world before I made The Office but now I'm addicted to that sort of success. Pride in my work. Now I'm a workaholic, because I realize that the hard work is sort of a reward in itself."

— Ricky Gervais

for Creatives  |  creating isn't easy, TV series, British, comedy, the successful artist, writing, Ricky Gervais, artists must EXPERIENCE, comedy writing

Follow Your Curiosity

"Be a cocky little nobody. But work hard, be original and write about what you know."

— Ricky Gervais

for Creatives  |  create for YOURSELF, creating isn't easy, artist integrity, the successful artist, writing, KEEP CREATING, Ricky Gervais, comedy writing

"The Americans ... tend not to embrace noble failure quite so much in their comedy.  As far as Americans are concerned, you either win or you lose.  Our ability [as Britons] to laugh at ourselves is to be celebrated."

— Steve Coogan

for Creatives  |  British, comedy, culture, Steve Coogan, comedy writing

"And what, you ask, does writing teach us?  First and foremost, it reminds us that we are alive and that is a gift and a privilege, not a right.  We must earn life once it has been awarded us.  Life asks for rewards back because it has favored us with animation."

— Ray Bradbury

for Creatives  |  writing, Ray Bradbury, the creative life, value the art, comedy writing

"Say it with conviction and honesty.  The danger is apologising for it being powerful; you have to let it be powerful.  Don't be spineless and do a joke.  Have the guts to see it through."

— Steve Coogan

for Creatives  |  artist integrity, comedy, Steve Coogan, value the art, comedy writing

"Something magical happened that night.  When I told that story, I felt an enormous listening coming from the audience, an enormous opening up.  I noticed that I could look into people's eyes more when I was speaking as myself as opposed to when I was speaking in character.  There was relating happening."

— Kevin Allison

for Creatives  |  create for YOURSELF, magic/mystery of creating/art, artist integrity, reaching your audience, storytelling, comedy writing, Kevin Allison, performance art

"You might think that you can't poke fun at old Irish ladies because it's bullying behaviour.  Of course you can, so long as there's warmth.  You can have a good raucous laugh at someone and ultimately dignify them at the same time.  That ambiguity is real, it's human."

— Steve Coogan

for Creatives  |  Steve Coogan, comedy writing

"When writing your comedy, remember ... the story is way more important than the jokes."

— Stephen Gregg

for Creatives  |  writing, Stephen Gregg, comedy writing

"I was used to uniting an audience with humour; this time, I wanted to unite an audience with humanity."

— Steve Coogan

for Creatives  |  writing, reaching your audience, Steve Coogan, filmmaking, artist's message, comedy writing, performance art

"It's more exciting to touch people than to make them laugh. ... If you manage to make laughter and emotion work side by side, it can be transcendent."

— Steve Coogan

for Creatives  |  writing, reaching your audience, Steve Coogan, comedy writing

"The reason I deal in taboo subjects is because it's more exciting, and because I also think that a comedian's job isn't just to make people laugh, it's to make them think. And I think that if you take them through territory they haven't been before, they're quite nervous, but when they come out the other end, 'Wow,' you know, they had the best rollercoaster ride ever because it was a bit scary and they didn't die. And that's the lovely thing, you know? (Laughs.) That's better than a gentle ride that you knew you weren't going to die on, but it wasn't that good either."

— Ricky Gervais

for Creatives  |  reaching your audience, Ricky Gervais, creative freedom, comedy writing

"I think that most people who take offense are offended because they confuse the target of the joke with the subject of a joke. If you deal in taboo subjects—which I do, for a very good reason—just to bring up any subject that makes them feel comfortable and they straightaway assume it is 'wrong.' Well, it's not wrong. 'You haven't listened to the joke,' you know? People say to me, 'Is there anything you shouldn't joke about?' The answer is, 'No, it depends on what the joke is.' They wouldn't ask you, 'Is there anything you wouldn't write about?' You'd go, 'No, I could write about anything. It's what you say that counts.' Exactly. And the same with a comedian. You can joke about anything. It depends what the joke is and what side you come down on, where you land, you know?"

— Ricky Gervais

for Creatives  |  artist integrity, writing, Ricky Gervais, feedback/criticism/rejection, creative freedom, comedy writing

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