Video Exercise ^^

Regarding the feedback received across the past two weeks, I’ve ascertained the following with the intent to apply; Increasing a sense of clarity, be that through visual or acting consistency, and stronger punchline delivery, mainly referring to pacing. This week’s delve into story-based sketches, I aimed to capitalize on this feedback by ending with a clearer final joke, and further contextual grounding through dialogue. I feel I was fairly successful in achieving these two goals, in as much as I could with the given restrictions (only while writing this do I realize I’ve gone over a minute, smh). Even still, the story begins in a typical scenario, that progresses and devolves with the misunderstanding revealing in its conclusion. I feel I could’ve gone much weirder and deeper, though I thought best to keep it simple and digestible.

Toplyn (2014) highlights 9 steps in classic Late Night situational sketch creation, based on a number of irreverent sketches from across the medium. To my best attempt, I tried to follow these steps as closely as possible as I’ll describe. In the pursuit of an exaggerated character (1), I began with a door-to-door Salesman with the zeal of a Jehovah’s Witness crossbreed – something on the front foot with potential to get weird with. Naturally, he wants to sell his book (2), The Good Book. To oppose him (3) on the defensive, is his Neighbor who is resistant to his proposal. In his effort to achieve his goal (4), the Salesman Sam appeals to outlandish and sinful promises, exaggerating his product (5, and pretty much 6) in a hopeful push. Despite his might, he is refused (7). In the final punchline, (8) The Good Book is revealed to be a very different kind of Good Book, the result of a big misunderstanding. Also, the dialogue (9) was all throughout. I’m a bit conflicted about my ending as it doesn’t necessarily fit all that well into point 8’s five ways to perform the final twist outlined in Toplyn’s analysis, despite thinking the twist works pretty well. This area could likely use a rewrite but under the circumstances I’m fairly pleased with its outcome all the same.

In conclusion, I believe I adapted the feedback from the previous experiments with moderate success. Situational and Story based sketches are one of my favorite types of comedy I think the sketch actually came out pretty okay for its modest production qualities.

Citations:
Toplyn, J. (2014), “Story Sketches”, Comedy Writing for Late Night TV, <https://rmit.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/delivery/61RMIT_INST:RMITU/12324770510001341?lang=en&viewerServiceCode=DigitalViewer> website. Accessed 21 March 2024, RMIT Library.
Aunty Donna (12 December 2018) ‘What Have You Forgotten?’ , Aunty Donna, YouTube website, accessed 21 March 2024. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzBuP7h4RQY>