|
Courses >
Personal Development > Get Funny!
 The ability to create humor is a skill many people don't have, yet wish they did. If you're interested in learning how to come up with jokes or witticisms on the fly, punch up dull material for an audience, or make a living as a comedy writer, this course will get you going.
Your instructor, an experienced comedy writer and working actress, will guide you through a wide range of comedic sources. You'll learn how to write a one-liner, use physical humor, target your audience, find the humor in everyday events and much, much more.
Once you've learned some of the methods of creating humor, you'll be ready to apply it to all aspects of your life. Punch up speeches and presentations so that the audience is instantly on your side. Mix laughter with learning in the classroom, and watch your students' attention spans grow. Add some humor to your web page and watch the hits explode as word gets out. Use your newfound sense of humor to entertain your friends, meet interesting people, and even make new friends!
For the aspiring comedy writer, there are invaluable techniques for finding the methods that work consistently and without the worries of whims, moods or blocks. There is even a section on marketing your humor, giving you the inside information you'll need to find your niche.
Learning should be fun, and this course is no exception. Filled with opportunities to laugh as you learn, "Get Funny" promises an entertaining and informative six weeks.
This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Joanna Sandsmark.
 Joanna Sandsmark graduated with honors from The University of Wisconsin - Madison with a degree in Communication Arts: Radio/TV/Film. As a voice actress, she's appeared in numerous commercial, industrial and animated projects, including the popular animated television series, "Rugrats". As a writer, she has written for DC Comics, was a staff writer on TV's "Weird Science", and has written five books, including "The Wisdom of Yo Meow Ma', and 'A Girl's Best Friend: Why Dogs Are Better Than Diamonds". She has taught both writing and voice-over in various formats, in the classroom and out, and is a member of the Writer's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
Requirements:
Internet access, e-mail, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser.
Syllabus:
All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when the lesson is released, but you must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.
A new section of each course starts on the second or third Wednesday of each month. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.
| Week One |
| Wednesday - Lesson 01 |
We'll start the course with a capsule review of comedy's roots. From ancient Egyptian graffiti to slapstick Viking sagas, humor has been a part of our world since humans first walked erect and realized that their hands were now free to applaud Ogg, that funny guy in the 9th cave.
|
| Friday - Lesson 02 |
"It's funny because it's true." Honing your powers of observation is the first step toward sharpening your wit. This lesson will help you understand some of the secrets of the great observational comics like Steven Wright, and Jerry Seinfeld. Bring a notebook, a pair of eyes, and a willingness to use them.
|
| Week Two |
| Wednesday - Lesson 03 |
Now that you've observed reality, you need to learn to look at the world sideways and apply that knowledge. Clever wordplay can be a fast-track to a laugh. In today's lesson, you'll learn how to construct a joke, write a pun, twist a cliché, use the unexpected, and begin to dazzle with your humor.
|
| Friday - Lesson 04 |
Today we'll look at absurdity and exaggeration—two time-tested and wonderful sources of comedy. Absurdity is about finding your inner strangeness. Exaggeration is a major source of comedy. Really. It's HUGE.
|
| Week Three |
| Wednesday - Lesson 05 |
Low humor, mean humor, sexual innuendo, bathroom humor—let's face it, they're all really easy. But do you need these crutches? Heck yeah. This lesson also includes a discussion of mean humor and gallows humor. What do they all have in common? The ability to offend people. In today's lesson, you'll learn how to walk that line without stepping over it.
|
| Friday - Lesson 06 |
Today's lesson: Pop Culture, or "If I See One More Brady Bunch Reference, I'm Going to Throw a Football At Your Nose." Pop culture is a humorist's best friend. From television and movies, to music and consumables, to politics and social trends, you'll find a wealth of material to aid you in your quest for amusement.
|
| Week Four |
| Wednesday - Lesson 07 |
Good slapstick or sight gags are tougher than you'd think. It's important to learn how to communicate without words. Few things are as memorable or as funny as a perfectly executed piece of visual humor. In today's lesson, you'll learn by looking at examples from the comedians of the silent screen to Lucille Ball and beyond.
|
| Friday - Lesson 08 |
Why think up original material when there's so much stuff out there you can just make fun of? Making fun of TV shows, movies, songs, social habits, or politicians can help you tap into brand new pockets of humor within you. Whatever your interests, there are opportunities for you to turn your wit toward the object of your admiration. This lesson will guide you in that quest.
|
| Week Five |
| Wednesday - Lesson 09 |
Nothing hones your wit and pumps up those comic reflexes like improvisation. It's the perfect workout regime for the budding humorist. Today you'll learn the rules you need to follow to perform improvisational comedy—rules that can help you sharpen your wit and quicken your comebacks.
|
| Friday - Lesson 10 |
There are countless ways to use humor every day. This lesson will guide you through using your newly honed sense of humor in business and social situations. You'll find out the remarkable benefits laughter has on our health.
|
| Week Six |
| Wednesday - Lesson 11 |
You know how to be funny, now let's apply it. Today we'll explore comedy writing. Using the example of writing a script for television, you'll learn the blow-by-blow process of how to write and sell a script from someone who's worked in the industry.
|
| Friday - Lesson 12 |
Now that you're a comic genius, you have an opportunity to cash in! In our final lesson, we'll explore some of the many markets open to you as a comedy writer: greeting cards, t-shirts, bumper stickers, comic books, comic strips and panels, gag writing, speech writing, advertising, print humor, and Web sites.
|
To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
Student Reviews:
"As a university professor, I have designed and taught online courses myself, so I wanted to see what it was like to be an online student. I have very much enjoyed the course and I have greatly appreciated Joanna's teaching style, her support, feedback and constant encouragement. As a result I have learned a lot, more than I expected to, about many different areas of life, connected by humour. Thank you very much, Joanna."
"I found this course quite by accident and thought it looked like fun. It was, and I am recommending it to anyone who appreciates humor because it truly is the best medicine. Joanna made the class truly amusing."
"I had a lot of fun taking this course, and learned new skills. On first reading the assignments, I was quite intimidated. However Joanna's clear lessons and comments helped me to complete all the assignments, including those I had thought were beyond me. Lots of helpful comments from Joanna, together with great encouragement. Thanks!"
"I had no idea there was so much involved in being funny! Not only did I get a better appreciation for humor and its' makings, I have really learned to observe and break down what I see more, therefore helping me to interact more with my world! It's not so small afterall! Thank you for all your expertise!"
"I loved this course! It helped me to focus on certain aspects of comedy, which I found very helpful with regard to career goals. I would certainly enjoy taking other courses offered by Joanna, and also further comedy writing courses that may be offered through ed2go."
"I really enjoyed this class. I have already started to put this course to the test, and it is working. I love to make people laugh and it is really happening. Thank you for everything. Keep laughing!!"
"Joanna is a very funny gal whose experience in the comedy writing world gives the rest of us insight into how the mechanics of comedy work. I would recommend this class to folks who are looking for a patient, knowledgeable instructor willing to guide them toward more skillful comedy and writing creation. The best part is that they'll have a good time learning!"
"Joanna, you've helped me tap into some dormant resource I've never fully exploited. I'm havin' a BLAST!!!! Thank you!"
"Thanks Joanna! I enjoyed the course and discovered I was funnier than I ever dreamed I could be. The gift of laughter must be right up there with health and love, and you helped us to discover that gift."
"This class was just what I needed to get ideas that I could incorporate with my short story writing. The instructor was prompt [and] encouraging with her answers. I was exposed to many new ideas!"
To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
Recommended Courses:
Students who enrolled in Get Funny! were also interested in the following courses:
Get Funny!
Achieving Success with Difficult People
Writeriffic: Creativity Training for Writers
Listen to Your Heart, and Success Will Follow
|
