Link to my first sketch: https://youtu.be/RmC_Q8LFsm8

I have had difficulties with getting my timetable sorted this semester, as a result, I was only allocated the class on Tuesday, which meant I missed Monday’s class.

But Wednesday’s class was enough for me to get the ball rolling with possibilities as to what I could do this semester.

This obviously being my first sketch, I tried to focus primarily on just making something I found funny that fit the assignment parameters. I wasn’t too focused on the technical aspects, and I wasn’t too focused on the quality, what I wanted to primarily focus on was being funny and not try to stifle my own ideas with perfectionism.

I was a bit inspired by old Vine humour. People were fitting jokes in a six second period that have now become pop culture phenomena’s and part of the social media zeitgeist, and platforms like TikTok have only expanded upon that, and the criteria for this sketch was under a minute. As a result, I was curious to try following a similar format: early premise of the joke (sad film like Titanic (Cameron 1997)), set-up (“who is cutting onions in here” line, trying to deflect attention from crying), and punchline (the fact someone is actually cutting onions). I think the concept of the joke works well (before I wrote 400 words explaining it with references). it surprises and subverts expectations.

The other thing that inspired me for my sketch was Six Small Essays about Comedy (Simons 2023), particularly his third essay: Why People Laugh, which reads as follows:

“Because they hear something surprising. Because they hear something familiar. Because they hear a funny sound. Because they want to. Because they think they’re supposed to. Because everyone else is. Because they recognize a certain rhythm or cadence as humorous. Because they’re uncomfortable. Because they’re frightened. Because they’re horny. Because they’re relieved to have been spared misfortune. Because someone is suffering who deserves it. Because someone is suffering who they believe deserves it. Because they realized something true about themselves. Because they realized something true about the world. Because they felt very alone for a long time and now they don’t.”

I think this lifted a lot of weight off my shoulders, things are funny because they are funny, and that trait is very human. If I find it funny, it is probably, in some way, funny. What my attention needs to focus on this semester, is finding the best methods and finding a rhythm that works for me, and my sense of humour.

References:

Cameron J (director) (1997) Titanic [motion picture], 20th Century Fox, United States.