Steve's Blog
The Comic Hero’s Journey on the On The Page Podcast
Using our book, The Comic Hero's Journey as a launching point, Pilar Allessandra, TV writer Ellen Sandler, and I discuss the journey, goals and drive of main characters in comedy features and TV shows.
Comedy Q & A: Tips for Sketch Writing?
Monty Python "Any particular tips for approaching sketch writing? In particular, any advice for coming up with strong endings? Endings for sketches are tough-- that's why Python used to simply skip to another sketch or make a joke about the fact that the sketch had no...
Comedy Q & A: Acting in a badly written comedy?
Disaster Movie (2008) Q: What can an actor do to help a comedy script/scene/moment that is just badly written or structured? What do you do when the writing is bad, but the director wants a laugh? A: One approach is not to worry about what...
My Interview with Indie Activity
Here’s an interview I did with Indie Activity, published on January 22nd, 2021. You can read the full interview HERE.
How To Be Funny During A Pandemic
Mark Twain said that comedy is “tragedy plus time,” but where’s the comedy in the middle of the tragedy? And we’re all familiar with the concept of whistling past the graveyard. But how can you create comedy when you’re stuck in the middle of the graveyard, and there...
AFI’s 100 Laughs: #97 – Bull Durham
Probably my second favorite Kevin Costner baseball movie. I’m not sure that Bull Durham is a funny movie; I really don’t remember laughing all that much. But who cares—I love it, and I too, like Crash Davis and Kevin Costner, believe in Bull Durham and the Church of...
The Comic Hero’s Journey Sneak Preview!
Hi All, I'm excited to announce the upcoming publication of my new book, The Comic Hero's Journey: Serious Story Structure for Fabulously Funny Films. The book will be published sometime this fall, but I'd love for you to get a special sneak preview. So here is an...
Comedy Q & A: What can an actor do to help a badly written scene?
Q: What can an actor do to help a comedy script/scene/moment that is just badly written or structured? What do you do when the writing is bad, but the director wants a laugh?
A: One approach is not to worry about what you say; focus on who you are. Always play the character.
New Film Courage Series – The Comic Hero’s Journey
Film Courage recently released a new series I did with them about The Comic Hero's Journey. The first two videos are out now, with more to come. Hope you enjoy! Here's the introduction video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0CtkK3MPe0 And here's the second video:...
My 10 Favourite British Comedy Films
To celebrate my UK workshops, here's an article I wrote for the British Comedy Guide. You can view the original article HERE. My 10 Favourite British Comedy Films I'm often asked, "What's your favourite British comedy?" That's an almost impossible question to answer....
3 Hidden Tools of Comedy
Here's an article in LA Screenwriter by Angela Bourassa that covers 3 of my Hidden Tools of Comedy. You can READ IT HERE.
AFI’s 100 Laughs: #98 – The Court Jester
Starring Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Angela Lansbury, and Basil Rathbone at his most villianous, with songs by Kaye’s wife Sylvia Fine and Sammy Cahn, and co-written, co-directed and co-produced by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama, this movie is still the delight it was...
UPCOMING EVENTS
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London Comedy Intensive - Nov 9-10, 2024
$460.00
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Expanded Coaching
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Hourly Package
$300.00
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Play Draft Package
$850.00
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Pilot Script And Revision Package
$1,300.00