ADD: Some Attitude
By Matthew L. Hart
Humor Writer/Comedian
Author of:
Would you rather be really big or really small?
Would you rather be really big or really small?
I love this question!
Ever since I saw the movie, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, and read the book, Gulliver's Travels, I've thought about this.
Let's compare our choices.
I assume my current size is medium. The world seems pretty comfortable relative to my scale. But...
If I was really big, everything I would need will have to be larger.
Also, the world around me actually gets relatively smaller and less dangerous. No predators could take me down, but tripping and falling might actually kill me.
Naturally, the opposite would seem true for getting really small.
The world becomes very much larger and more interesting.
There would be many more predators out to get me, raining could actually be deadly, but my backyard would seem as large as Australia.
Being the clever kind of ape I am, I would realize that a proper shelter would probably become the most important resource I would need.
But, what if I'm really small but still living amongst all the medium people?
Well, that would be the setting for the movie, Downsizing, with Matt Damon.
If that's the case, I think I would rather be neither.
I'd be too afraid of stepping on someone or being stepped on. But, because I have to choose, I'd rather be the stepper.
But, honestly, if I was really big amongst medium sized people or a mix of medium and really small people, the only outcome would be all out war due simply to fear.
What do you think?
Would you rather be really big or really small?
Who would win in a world war amongst really big people, medium people, and really small people?
I can't wait to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Ever since I saw the movie, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, and read the book, Gulliver's Travels, I've thought about this.
Let's compare our choices.
I assume my current size is medium. The world seems pretty comfortable relative to my scale. But...
If I was really big, everything I would need will have to be larger.
Also, the world around me actually gets relatively smaller and less dangerous. No predators could take me down, but tripping and falling might actually kill me.
Naturally, the opposite would seem true for getting really small.
The world becomes very much larger and more interesting.
There would be many more predators out to get me, raining could actually be deadly, but my backyard would seem as large as Australia.
Being the clever kind of ape I am, I would realize that a proper shelter would probably become the most important resource I would need.
But, what if I'm really small but still living amongst all the medium people?
Well, that would be the setting for the movie, Downsizing, with Matt Damon.
If that's the case, I think I would rather be neither.
I'd be too afraid of stepping on someone or being stepped on. But, because I have to choose, I'd rather be the stepper.
But, honestly, if I was really big amongst medium sized people or a mix of medium and really small people, the only outcome would be all out war due simply to fear.
What do you think?
Would you rather be really big or really small?
Who would win in a world war amongst really big people, medium people, and really small people?
I can't wait to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."
- Milton Berle
ADD: Some Attitude
What is attitude, why do I need it and how do I get some?
FOLLOW ME...
LEARN MORE ABOUT ADDING ATTITUDE TO YOUR COMEDY WITH THIS BOOK:
What is ATTITUDE?
Ever heard someone go off on a rant about something? You may have even gotten a laugh when you said, afterwards, "Why don't you tell me how you really feel?"
The laugh happens because you're understating their emotions. Clearly you know exactly how they felt during their rant and this feeling is what I call, "Attitude."
Why do we need attitude when writing and telling jokes?
Writing jokes is all about building tension and releasing that tension with surprise. That's what generates the laughter.
The SETUP builds tension by giving the listener enough information to guide their train of thought.
The PUNCHLINE derails their expectation. Something else happens or is said at the end of the joke, which they didn't see coming.
ATTITUDE provides the emotional point of view for your joke and does so in the most efficient way possible.
By building attitude into your joke, you will also be able to memorize and act-out your material much more easily.
Memory is tied to emotion and attitude conveys emotion. Building attitude into your jokes will cue you for how to act during your delivery.
How do I get some ATTITUDE for my jokes?
By using ATTITUDE WORDS.
Judy Carter describes in her book, The Comedy Bible: From Stand-up to Sitcom--The Comedy Writer's Ultimate "How To" Guide that there are really only four attitudes.
She has condensed these attitudes into four ATTITUDE WORDS:
- WEIRD
- HARD
- SCARY
- STUPID
They also allow the listener to relate and will set their mind on a predictable line of thinking, which we will bend to get a laugh.
How to use attitude words with your jokes?
We begin by asking questions of our subtopics and incorporating an attitude word.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Topic: Camping
Sub-Topic: Ticks
Now, ask questions:
What is WEIRD about ticks?
What is HARD about ticks?
What is SCARY about ticks?
What is STUPID about ticks?
Now, we just set about answering these questions.
I like to come up with at least 5-10 answers for each, but for this example, I'll just stick with one. But, really try to force yourself to get as many as you can.
Sometimes, the best answer is the last one.
What is WEIRD about ticks?
What is HARD about ticks?
Trying to remove them from your skin, safely.
What is SCARY about ticks?
That they carry and can pass diseases.
What is STUPID about ticks?
That it seems like they'll never let go!
Now, we just combine the question and answer into a punchline statement, making sure to incorporate the correct attitude word.
1) Ticks are WEIRD because they drink blood.
2) Ticks are HARD to remove from your skin, safely.
3) Ticks are SCARY because they can pass diseases.
4) Ticks are STUPID because they never let go.
We have just created four joke setups in five minutes!
Now, we can finish these jokes off in a number of ways.
I like adding Act-Outs:
Ask the question: "What would a tick think or say about whatever your statement is?"
1) Ticks are weird because they drink blood. I found one crawling on my shirt and it said, "You're an excellent host...I'll have whatever you're making."
2) They're also a little pretentious (Another attitude word for weird). I pulled one off my leg and it said, "You have a lovely aroma. The type-O really resonates on the pallette...You're not bad for an '83...I'd say, born north of the Valley?"
3) Ticks are hard to remove safely. Maybe it's because I drink too much. I'm gripping them with a pair of tweezers and they're like, "No! Just one more sip! You can't make me!...I can quite whenever I want!"
Be sure to mix up your jokes with some different methods. Adding tags to your jokes is a great way to get additional laughs from your setup.
Tag: "Ever notice how removing a parasite and hosting an intervention are essentially the same thing?"
Tag: "On Family Feud, 'Removing Ticks' was only the third reason to pack Vaseline."
By incorporating attitude words into your process, you will discover how quickly and easily you can develop your jokes and routines.
Try creating your own punchlines about ticks.
Is there an attitude word you use the most?
Put your favorite attitude words in the comments!
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