I just figured out that I'm an Absurdist comedy writer. Thats where my brain goes...I should either be embarrassed that I hadn't figured this out by now or joyous I've learnt something new. I'll go with the latter.

The thing is I feel like I'm in a minority and I just want to know how many SS peeps have the same affliction?

I have two short absurdist comedies on here that have struck a chord with a couple of people, but as for getting them filmed I just don't think short absurdist films are very popular, maybe too much going on for a short? Too pricy, or maybe write a better script ;)?

I think if you're a student film maker or an up and coming film maker, you're probably going to steer clear of comedies. I would think that they would lean more towards drama. So maybe it's a little harder to get a comedy short made.

That said, I don't think it's bad that you're honing your skills in comedy. Comedy writers are a hot commodity in Hollywood from what I hear. In terms of selling a spec, you're more likely to sell a comedy than a drama for sure. Dramas are mostly writer/director now. Not very many drama movies come out that weren't written by the director...I guess because dramas go by the "feel" more than the concept.

Maybe you should embrace it and focus on writing some features. If they're really funny, it could be your ticket in! Also, the shorts that you did might not be ideal to be picked up for production, but could serve as great writing samples to show an agent etc.

Hey RJP, Thats interesting you mention comedy being a hot commodity in Hollywood. Didn't realize that. If I do a feature comedy it will be in the goofball absurdist genre for sure.

Hi Kirsten. What kind is absurdist?

I thin we have a couple submitted for OWC's. I noticed a lot for the superhero OWC:
http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-April15/m-1463604987/s-new/

Check out Super Mick or Mother Nature Joke.
These were very well received and I personally like them very much. I hope the writers of these don't mind me talking about their work.

I attempted one myself, for another OWC and flanked big time. Not going to write another one, but I love reading them. You have to post some of those)

Quoted from Kirsten The thing is I feel like I'm in a minority and I just want to know how many SS peeps have the same affliction?

I am the same thing as you. I can't escape it.

Quoted from Kirsten The thing is I feel like I'm in a minority and I just want to know how many SS peeps have the same affliction?

There's a guy who has taken my First Draft course multiple times (for the accountability) and dark absurdist comedy is his wheelhouse. The thing is, he's determined to break away from that. His ideas are over the top absurdity, his characters wonderfully quirky, the action always unexpected, but he's never satisfied with it. I keep trying to get him to just embrace it, fully commit and show me how far down the rabbit hole he can take us.

If you take the plunge and write a feature, just keep the budget low. There's an appetite for this type of movie, but it will never make a hundred million at the box office, so keep it cheap and it will stand a good chance.

What's an absurdist comedy writer? Do you mean surreal? They're different things. You sound like someone who's trying to admit they're middle class. And anyway, shouldn't you let other collate your plaudits?

HI Kha - From what I've been reading Absurdist and Surrealist comedy get confused a lot. Even Wikipedia says this..."Surreal humour (also known as absurdist humour), or surreal comedy, is a form of humour predicated on deliberate violations of causal reasoning, producing events and behaviours that are obviously illogical. Constructions of surreal humour tend to involve bizarre juxtapositions, incongruity, non-sequiturs, irrational or absurd situations and expressions of nonsense."

Someone described surreal as watching a clock melt, its about changing the reality around you, and absurd as pushing a rock up a hill many times knowing it will fall back down each time...based on  real world behaviors.

I will take a look at those scripts, thankyou..

Demento - lol...yes! Welcome to the madness.. love Uncle Rico....


ReneC - Yeah, in regards to your friend if its where your brain takes you then go with it. its obviously their strength.

Forgive - I definitely fall under absurdist. I like silly, goofball, but with clever wit. I grew up on british humor, loved Black Adder, Vicar of Dibley, I love spoof comedy, and self deprecating humor. But yeah, no matter what genre if its a friggin good low budget script someone will make.....

Quoted from RJP I think if you're a student film maker or an up and coming film maker, you're probably going to steer clear of comedies. I would think that they would lean more towards drama. So maybe it's a little harder to get a comedy short made. That said, I don't think it's bad that you're honing your skills in comedy. Comedy writers are a hot commodity in Hollywood from what I hear. In terms of selling a spec, you're more likely to sell a comedy than a drama for sure. Dramas are mostly writer/director now. Not very many drama movies come out that weren't written by the director...I guess because dramas go by the "feel" more than the concept. Maybe you should embrace it and focus on writing some features. If they're really funny, it could be your ticket in! Also, the shorts that you did might not be ideal to be picked up for production, but could serve as great writing samples to show an agent etc.

Not sure if this is true.

Quoted from eldave1 Not sure if this is true.

Well, I can't think of many blockbuster dramas that were written on spec. Lady Bird, Manchester by The Sea, Moonlight, 3 Billboards, Florida Project...Those were all written by the director. Dramas do sometimes sell on spec or have a hired writer, but they are usually adaptations of books or real life events.

Personally, if I want to read scripts that are going to up my skill, I'll avoid Writer/director scripts. Not that they're bad...they're just not nearly as good as the best offerings on the Blacklist. Or scripts by writers that are so undeniably good that the studios are willing to hire a director separate . Like Sorkin or Mammet.

As far as what I said about comedy being in demand. I don't know, maybe that's not true. I'd assume it is. Not many people that write comedy are very funny. I haven't read many amateur scripts that made me laugh...so if you're legit as funny as Conan O'Brien, I'd assume it wouldn't be hard to get noticed.

Quoted from RJP Well, I can't think of many blockbuster dramas that were written on spec. Lady Bird, Manchester by The Sea, Moonlight, 3 Billboards, Florida Project...Those were all written by the director. Dramas do sometimes sell on spec or have a hired writer, but they are usually adaptations of books or real life events. Personally, if I want to read scripts that are going to up my skill, I'll avoid Writer/director scripts. Not that they're bad...they're just not nearly as good as the best offerings on the Blacklist. Or scripts by writers that are so undeniably good that the studios are willing to hire a director separate . Like Sorkin or Mammet. As far as what I said about comedy being in demand. I don't know, maybe that's not true. I'd assume it is. Not many people that write comedy are very funny. I haven't read many amateur scripts that made me laugh...so if you're legit as funny as Conan O'Brien, I'd assume it wouldn't be hard to get noticed.

I hope you're right. Comedy is my favorite

Quoted from eldave1 I hope you're right. Comedy is my favorite

And I've read your scripts. They were good!

Quoted from RJP And I've read your scripts. They were good!

Thanks,  mate