writing comedy

15 Adam McKay Quotes for Screenwriters and Filmmakers

November 2, 2026April 5, 2023 by Industrial Scripts

He’s one of the biggest directors in Hollywood and a giant of the comedy world. So we take a look at 15 Adam McKay quotes in order to get an insight into his views on the writing process, comedy and tackling politics. Adam McKay – King of Comedy Adam McKay is known for comedy in a variety of forms. He was one of the founding members of the Upright Citizens Brigade, a sketch comedy group that emerged from Chicago’s improv

Writing a GOOD Workplace Comedy: The VITAL Elements

November 2, 2026March 17, 2023 by Industrial Scripts

Do you have an idea for a workplace comedy but are struggling to get it off the ground? Understanding the key aspects and structures of some of your favourite workplace comedies is essential to making sure your script hits all the right notes. So in this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide to the fundamental characteristics that every great workplace comedy shares. What makes a truly good workplace comedy tick? Table of Contents8 Key Elements of Creating and Executing

How Do You Write a GREAT Sidekick Character?

November 2, 2026December 24, 2022 by Industrial Scripts

Writing a sidekick character can come with a lot of creative freedom. Where your protagonist or hero may have a rigid characterisation, a sidekick can complement them in many different ways. Are they a life-long friend, a reluctant ally, or even an animal? As the name suggests, their main role is to assist the protagonist (or perhaps antagonist). As such, a sidekick can be equally as crucial to story development as those that they accompany. Despite not being at the center

15 Striking Martin McDonagh Quotes for Writers and Filmmakers

November 2, 2026October 5, 2022 by Industrial Scripts

He’s one of the most distinctive contemporary writers; someone who entertains and shocks in equal measure. His films are bold, action-packed but most of all, hilarious. In this striking mix, Martin McDonagh is an enigmatic figure. So we’ve pulled 15 amazing Martin McDonagh quotes in order to gain insight into this writer and director’s creative process, outlook on the industry and unique voice. Martin McDonagh – From Stage to Screen Whilst he’s perhaps best known for his work as a

The Comedy Horror Movie: The KEYS to Both Laughs and Scares

November 2, 2026September 30, 2022 by Industrial Scripts

Washington Irving’s short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has been cited as “the first great comedy horror story”, as readers were made to “laugh one moment and scream the next”. This is, in essence, what comedy horror movies are all about. We’ve all been in that situation where our friend is describing something awful…and yet our first instinct is to laugh. Is that because we’re horrible people? No! We tried not to laugh, after all. So why do we?

Michael Scott – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 14

November 2, 2026February 23, 2022 by Industrial Scripts

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Michael Scott from The Office. View all Truly Original Characters + Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?Who is Michael Scott?Complex, Three-Dimensional CharactersThe Evolution of Michael ScottSeason One Michael Scott:Season Two Michael Scott:The Later SeasonsMichael Scott’s RelationshipsDwight SchrutePam Beesly Jan LevinsonHolly FlaxIn Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Michael Scott What is an

Writing Christmas Films & Navigating the Holidays: The ULTIMATE Guide

November 2, 2026December 22, 2021 by Industrial Scripts

When writing Christmas films there’s multiple sub-genres and elements to consider to make it the perfect holiday watch. It’s no secret that there are a range of elements to cover when trying to make a classic Christmas film. But where do you start? And how do you make sure you’re following the right beats whilst writing something fresh? We take a look… Table of ContentsWhat is a Christmas Film?The Different Types of Hybrid Christmas Genres1. Christmas Genre: Romantic Comedy Holiday2.

Writing Dramatic Irony in Screenwriting: The Key Steps

November 2, 2026December 13, 2021 by Industrial Scripts

Table of ContentsWhat is Dramatic Irony?Three Common Types of Irony Key Ways to Use Dramatic Irony in Screenwriting1. Using Dramatic Irony for Suspense 2. Using Alternative Perspectives 3. Engrossing the Audience in the Character’s Tragedy 4. Writing Dramatic Irony for Humour 5. Creating Empathy for Naive Characters Things to Watch Out for When Writing Dramatic Irony In Conclusion: Writing Dramatic Irony EffectivelyIn Summary What is Dramatic Irony? Simply put, dramatic irony is a form of irony. It is both a

20 Terrific Ricky Gervais Quotes to INSPIRE Writers and Filmmakers

November 2, 2026November 29, 2021 by Industrial Scripts

Comedy writer, director and actor Ricky Gervais has been bracing our screens since the early 2000s. Often outspoken and straight-talking, Gervais has conquered the comedy genre with his broad array of work. He’s also known, however, for his forthright, often controversial comments, particularly on the Golden Globes stage. But this forthrightness also makes his words insightful and unique. So we’ve compiled 20 Ricky Gervais quotes to inspire writers and filmmakers. Ricky Gervais – The Long and Winding Road Much of

20 Wise and Hilarious Tina Fey Quotes to INSPIRE

November 2, 2026September 29, 2021 by Industrial Scripts

An American comedy icon, Tina Fey not only defines an era of Saturday Night Live but created the critically acclaimed comedy shows 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Her success, of course, doesn’t just stop there. And even with huge levels of success, she also has had failures. We’ve selected 20 quotes that illustrate how Tina Fey overcame failings and the skills or processes she took towards working as a writer in TV. Tina Fey – Comedy Beginnings Her passion

What is a High Concept Comedy? Crafting a Unique Comedic Premise

November 2, 2026June 8, 2021 by Industrial Scripts

The comedy genre has boundless opportunities. It has an evergreen appeal to audiences, especially in dark times. We all need the tonic of humor and a light-hearted premise at some point. And a ‘high concept’ comedy channels this appeal in one of the most striking ways possible. Table of ContentsWhat is a High Concept Comedy? Examples of High Concept ComediesThe Key Elements of Writing a High Concept Comedy1. What is Your High Concept?2. Characterisation 3. Setting Up the Protagonist 4.

What is a Bottle Episode? The KEY to Writing a Self-Contained Script

November 2, 2026June 3, 2021 by Industrial Scripts

Most TV series, whether comedy or drama, have a bottle episode at some point. And they can often take pride of place in the series’ history. They can serve as a crucial moment to bring together important themes in a focused way. Whilst practically they can also serve as a budget saver within the middle of a series, restricting all the action to one location. In this article we’ll take a look at what makes a great bottle episode, the

Multi-Camera Scripts: How Do They Differ From Other Scripts in Content and Style?

November 2, 2026November 16, 2020 by Industrial Scripts

Table of ContentsThe Multi-Camera SitcomThe Content Needs For Multi-Camera Sitcoms1. Follow a Sitcom Act Structure2. Lead Characters Should Be a Part of One Group3. Characters Should Stress Over a Ridiculous Problem4. Limit the Locations and Focus on Main Locations5. Consider Laugh TrackScript Format For Multi-Camera Sitcoms1. Combine a Screenplay Format + Theatre Script Format2. Capitalize Scene Descriptions3. Underline Character’s Names When They First Appear4. Underline All Character Entrances, Exits + Major Movements5. Double-Space the DialogueSingle-Camera vs Multi-Camera ExamplesIn Summary The

Biting Social Satire: How to Write a Great Critique

November 2, 2026November 9, 2020 by Industrial Scripts

Social satire is a genre of film that relies on irony, exaggeration, ridicule, or humor to critique an unfavorable aspect of society and/or human nature. The best social satires are entertaining at the surface level – often featuring elements of fantasy or absurdism – and also pack a critical punch. In this article, we’ll break down the key aspects of a social satire. Warning: This post contains spoilers for GET OUT, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU, and FIGHT CLUB. Table of ContentsWhat