HITTING THE FUNNY BONE
Comedic acting is an entirely different beast to deal with. It requires a certain type to perfectly deliver a line that will send the audience into uncontrollable laughter. Here are some ways you can step up your comedy game.
Practice Your Improv
Many of the greatest comedy actors come from an improv background. It’s a great way to come up with new material and stay sharp when working with other actors.
Have an improv audition coming up? Be sure to read up on Brette Goldstein’s advice for them.
Also check out how some of the newest comedy actors, like Nicole Byer and Abbi Jacobson, got their start and what they have to say for other aspiring comedians.
Know How to Read the Script
Comedy often relies on how a line is delivered, but sometimes it’s tricky to get a hang of. One mistake actors make is reading a script exactly like it is written instead of connecting to their character. (Remember, scripts are meant for reading, it’s up to you to interpret those words and bring them to life.)
Greg Apps has some tips to help you navigate the traps that scripts bring up.
Know the Comedy Style
It’s pretty easy to see there’s a difference between comedies like “2 Broke Girls” and “Arrested Development.” They’re filmed, written, and acted in very different ways.
When you’re going into an audition for a comedy series, you should know which type of show you’ll be working with. Acting for single-camera sitcoms is very different from the set up and delivery on multi-camera sitcoms.
Cathy Reinking gives some advice for working on both single-cam and multi-cam series.
And of course, both of these are completely different from working on sketch comedy, which requires over-the-top characters and scenarios.
Be Yourself
Of course this advice pops up all the time, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth listening to again!
There are plenty of comedy actors, like Aubrey Plaza or Rainn Wilson, who use their natural humor to bring to life their on-screen characters. It’s okay to not be a Leslie Knope or Jenna Maroney. Figure out what your style of comedy is and perfect it.
Also, don’t let someone dissuade you from your comedy just because they don’t like it. We’ll never forget Amy Poehler, who was new to SNL at the time, shutting down Jimmy Fallon when he didn’t find her comedy “cute”. Comedy is a different way of life, and being able to stand your ground in that world will make a difference.
Tina Fey’s “Bossypants” and Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” will show you the funny, tricky, and sometimes gross ways of getting making it as a comedic actor and writer.
Do you have any favorite tips or books for aspiring comedic actors?
