Can't Do Comedy? Missing Chances? Learn Easily Here

Comedy in Bollywood film Grand-Masti

Tell me, who doesn't want to laugh? Especially, even more so in these depressing times! Comedic acting is tough, but if you get it right and then there are plenty of opportunities not only in Indian cinema and in serials but internationally as well for you.

The key factor to do comedy: Learn Improvisation! 

What is comedy?

Comedy is a genre of film that uses humor as a driving force. The aim of a comedy film is to provoke laughter from the audience through entertaining stories and characters.

Types

Absurd Comedy

The humor in these films tends to be nonsensical with exaggerated characters and situations. This type of sub genre often uses slapstick tendencies

Action-Comedy

It combines action with humor. Action-Comedy relies on the characters to bring out the humor, while the action scenes tend to be less intense than in the traditional action movie.

Romantic-Comedy

It attempts to catch the viewer�s heart with the combination of love and humor. This sub-genre is light-hearted and usually places the two protagonists (main male and/or female characters) in humorous situation. Romantic-Comedy film revolves around a romantic ideal, such as true love. In the end, the ideal triumphs over the situation or obstacle, thus creating a happy conclusion.

Horror-Comedy

Horror-Comedy combines comedy with traditional horror movie themes and characters. Horror-Comedy films aim to scare the audience, but also provide comical outlets that let the audience laugh at their fear.

Spoof�Comedy

These films impersonate, ridicule, or scoff at serious situations and people. These films rely heavily on satire. For example tomfoolery, to deceive, to play a hoax, to play a trick or to satirize gently

Slapstick-Comedy

Slapstick comedy is a sub-genre of film that incorporates physical comedy into the story. Slapstick uses visual action, such as harmless violence and horseplay (rough, boisterous play), to depict humor. Slapstick film often relies on comedic timing and a controlled psychical performance of a single actor.

In Bollywood films and TV serials there are only few productions based totally on the above mentioned sub-genres. Indian comedy films/serials may incorporate all of the above or some of the above genre in a single film/serial. Therefore, an actor must learn and practice all the above-mentioned types of comedy

How to be a successful comedy actor

1/ What exactly comedy is. What makes us laugh so hard?
Comedy is about suffering. That�s right � pain, sadness, tragedy, and injustices are all the perfect foundations for a funny story. The old saying, �you�ll either laugh or cry,� couldn�t be truer when it comes to comedy. The more a character is in trouble, the funnier it is to watch � hence the term �comedy of errors.� Desperation, unpredictability and deep situational entanglements force actors to solve improbable (and often crazy) situations with exaggerated (and hilarious) solutions.

2/ Stick to the script.

Comedy is all about rhythm, timing, and pace, and it's your job as a comedic actor to identify those things in each and every piece of scripted comedy you perform.
Comedy, when done right, is like a good song. Just as a musician plays the melody as composed, a comedic actor must stick to the script. That means following the words exactly as written. Don't add or drop words or attach handles to the beginnings of sentences, like "Look," "I mean," "Well," and "So." And don't change the punctuation e.g. exclamation signs, question marks, pauses etc!
3/ Improvisation
Learning the technique and excellence in Improvisation is mandatory. Note that auditions for a comedic may character require improvisation.

Mistakes committed

Unscripted movements

One of the biggest mistakes that can kill a comedic scene is unscripted movement (which are NOT in the script. This includes adjusting your clothes, scratching your nose, stretching your neck, waving your arms, tapping your thigh, rolling your eyes, and so on. Unless movement is specified in the script or by the director, you should stay still, as any extra movement will distract from the comedic rhythm.

Overacting

Do your absolute best not to over-act. Don�t try to be funny. Don�t fake it. Don�t get embarrassed. Don�t expect laughs by over-exaggerating your facial expressions. If the script is well written and funny, then the laughs will come � do not force them! One of the worst errors a comedic actor can make is to anticipate laughter.

Not understanding timing

A very important aspect of comedic timing is pausing for the audience to laugh (that is, if they are laughing). Young or novice actors often get nervous and continue with dialog without a pause, forcing the viewers to either stop laughing or left wondering what they just missed in the dialogue. The amount of time that you should pause for laughter comes with practice and experience.

Develop your own funny style

Think about the all of the successful comedians you know like Mahmood, Johny Walker, Johny Lever. Asrani and many others. They all have a distinctive personality, But how do you do this?

Watch these great comedians and ask the following questions to yourself and seek answers

1. "What makes them funny?"
2. "What does their voice do while speaking major comedic points?"
3. "How is their body language?"
4. "Are they realistically funny, or do they playing the role as a 'character' ?"
5. After watching actors perform their craft, you can then begin to study your own style and then plan to develop as a comedic actor.

My simple formula to prepare for a comedic character

Just imagine and practice-

• If I am an idiot, how will I behave?
• If I am a fool, how will I perform a role?
• If I am a fool but behave as if I am the most intelligent person on the earth
• I grasp things very slowly. People have to explain and repeat things repeatedly. Therefore, my reactions are absurd. I either make a poker face or drop my jaw or just smile or become serious. I am always unconnected 
• I am always in hurry. Many a times though I do not understand, I react as if I knew in responding or replying
• My physical responses are either too slow or abnormally fast
• I am always in incongruity which means out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming

Bollywood comedy films to be watched repeatedly for learning comedic acting

Golmaal 3 (2010), Singh is King (2008), Golmaal Return (2008), Dhamaal (2007), Welcome (2007), Kya Kool HaI Hum (2005), No Entry (2005), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003), Hungama (2003), Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (2001), Hera Pheri (2000), Chachi 420 (1997), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Gol Maal (1979), Bombay To Goa (1972), **** Padosan (1968)

Join us NOW to get trained: http://topactingcoach.werbly.com

Updated post

Can't Do Comedy? Missing Chances? Learn Easily Here

9 Simple Steps That Will Make You a Top Bollywood Comedy Actor

Comedy in Bollywood film today

Mehmood the legendary comedian of Indian cinema

1. Find the comedy factor in you

In what way are you funny?
What's funny about you?
Being aware of what makes up you a "funny" person�finding the comedy in yourself and your everyday life�is the first step to becoming a successful comedy actor.
Your sense of humor is your inborn and natural ability to be funny. It has a number of influences, especially from your childhood and your upbringing. So, who tickled your funny bone growing up? �A relative, a teacher, a best friend? Or did you learn how to be funny by watching great comedic actors? Also remember that comedy comes from drama, and drama comes from pain. Thus, comedy comes from pain. Are you able to draw humor from your pain? Do you laugh out when you are in a physical pain or in difficulties?
Once you've found your funny, you need to identify where your comedic strengths lie.

2. Find your inherent comedy type 

Identify:
Is your sense of humor dry (is a form of comedic delivery in which something humorous is said or done by a person, while not exhibiting a change in emotion or facial expression)

• Intelligent? (I. S. Johar or at present-Kapil Sharma) 
• Sarcastic? 
• Silly and lighthearted? (Mehmood)
• Shameless and quirky?  (Bizarre, eccentric, unusual)? (Asrani)
• Lovable? (Devan Verma)

Knowing your comedic qualities will help you identify the comedy character in you.

3. Stick to the script religiously 

Comedy is all about rhythm, timing, and pace, and it's your job as a comedic actor to identify those things in each and every piece of scripted comedy you perform. Comedy, when done right, is like a good song. Just as a musician plays the melody as composed, a comedic actor must stick to the script. That means following the words exactly as written. Don't add or drop words or attach handles to the beginnings of sentences, like "Dekho� (Look), "Mera matlab hai ki� (I mean), "Arey� (Well), and "So"

4. Learn to break down comedy scripts.

Comedy is made up of two things: desperation and the unpredictable. These themes are found in story lines, jokes, and characters. There may be straight meaning dialogues followed instantly by opposite meaning dialogues. Breaking down comedy scripts will help you identify jokes and changes in the dialogs.

5. Master your funny character

As you develop yourself as a character from the script and learn your comedic technique, you'll also start to examine more-normal sounding but important points for your comedy, especially in the script itself. You need to identify the repetitive word (a word used over and over in a scene), or jokes repeated over the course of a script and the funny words (Dimag sarkela hai or aye, dukaan jera hut ke laga) used to enhance the punch line. Some writers will signal (clue) you in to important words by underlining, italicizing, or bolding them, but often you have to search for  such words in the script..

6. Stay committed.

It is said while performing a comedy, to show  "Dying is easy; comedy is hard." So true! What makes comedy, so difficult? Commitment!

• As a comedy actor, you need to be 100 percent committed to the dialogue, physical actions, jokes, technique, and especially the characters. It takes just as much commitment to do comedy as it does to do conflict drama, perhaps even more! Think of all the comedy greats and how willing they were to "go there" for their comedy. 
• Remember my words; there is no shame, no embarrassment, and definitely no faking it when it comes to comedy. You and your character need to believe in everything you're doing and commit to it wholeheartedly.

7. Be still.

One of the biggest things that can kill a comedic scene is movements which are NOT there in a script�from an actor. That includes adjusting your clothes, scratching your nose, stretching your neck, waving your arms, tapping your thigh, rolling your eyes, and so on. Unless movement is specified by a director, you should stay still, as any extra movement will distract from the comedic rhythm of the piece. I'm not saying you have to be a statue, but as a comedic actor it's your responsibility to be aware of your space and control your actions so you don't disturb focus of the scene

8. Watch the comedy masters.

There are so many legends old and new in this business, and watching them work is vital to building your comedy career. Watch them first for the sheer entertainment, and then watch them again as a student of comedy learning from everything the actors do. 
Here is a list of Bollywood comedians worth watching and learning:

Bollywood (in alphabetical order)

� Ashok Saraf
� Asrani
� Bhagwan Dada
� Bomman Irani
� Govinda
� Deven Verma
� Dada Kondke
� I. S. Johar
� Johnny Walker
� Jagdeep
� Jaspal Bhatti
� Johnny Lever
� Om Prakash
� Paresh Rawal
� Kader Khan
� Keshto Mukherjee
� Kishore Kumar
� Mehmood
� Mukri
� Laxmikant Berde
� Paresh Rawal
� Paintal
� Rajendra Nath
� Rajpal Yadav
� Raju Srivastav
� Rakesh Bedi
� Satish Shah
� Shakti Kapoor
� Tun Tun
� Manorama
� Rajpal Yadav
� Akshay Kumar
� Rakesh Bedi
� Satish Kaushik

9. Have fun.

When performing comedy, you have to enjoy what you're doing. You need to do your homework, find your character, perfect your technique, commit to the text, then go into class, an audition, or a job and have fun. Take some risks. Be confident and bring on the funny! If you're having fun, you'll feel a surge of energy inside you that will bring out your best, most positive, most energized performance. It will get you to the "louder, faster, funnier" that defines comedy. And if you're having fun, the casting director, the writer, the producer, and ultimately the audience will have fun with you, and that will help you become a successful comedy actor.

Rules of Comedy:

1. Chose a specific character in you with specific personality traits
2. Be committed to the character
3. Good comedy comes from pain and conflict
4. Follow the script and punctuation (for delivery, know your lines and make to pause for commas and periods)
5. Be Louder!
6. Be Faster!
7. Be Funnier!
8. Hold for laughs (do not laugh unnecessary on your dialogues, movements, or other actions on the presumption that viewers will laugh)
9. Don�t replace and distract from verbal humor with physical movement
10. Have fun!

Here are some short comedic scenes with dialogues in Hindi

Practice with your friends; search various ways to speak these lines with different rhythms, speed, with or without physical actions. Have a small audience and observe their reactions. 

1.
???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ????
???? ???? : ???? ?????? ???? ?? ???
???? : ?? ??? ????? ???????? ????? ????.
???? ???? : ??? ?????? ???? ??, ???? ???? ?????
.???? : ???, ???? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ????? (????) ???? ????? ???!

2.
???? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????? . ??????: ?????? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?? ?? ????, 2 ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? . ???? ?? ??? 100 ?? ??? ?????? ??? ????, ???? ???????? ??? 50 ???? ???? . ?????? (???? ??): ???! . ????: ?? ????, ???? ??? ???? ?? ?????

3. 
???? ???????? ?? ??? ??? . . . 20 -25 ?? ??? ?????? . . . . ??? ????  ??????????? ?? ???? - "10 ?? ?? ??? ?" . ????????? ????? ?? ???? - "????? ! ?? ??!" . ???? ?? BF ?? ?? ?? ???? ??? ?? ?? ????? ???? ???? ! . "????? ????? ???? ???" . . . "??? ????? ????? ??? ????? ???-?? ???, ?? ??!

4.
The villain has the heroine tied to an electric chair with a long electric
wire leads to a switch.  The villain throws the switch and the electricity
is now shown flowing towards the heroin.   The hero is running towards the
heroine racing with electricity to save her, and yes he is catching up.
The villain at this point shouts to his chamcha:  "Charlie voltage baddhao,
electicity jaldee jayegi".

5.
The villain has just asked his guys to get hold of Mudassar Nazar, who
has refused to come to the villain's den.
Sidie: Boss, Mudassar Nazar nahin aa raha hai.
Villain: Kya? Tumhare ankhe hai ya button? Phir se dhoondo!

6.
???? ???? ?????????? ?? - ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?? |
?????????? - ??? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? |
???? - ???? ?? ???????? ????? ?? |

7.
???? ( ???? ?? ) - ????? ???? , ??? ???? ????? | ?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? , ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??? ????? |
???? - ?? , ?????? ! ??? ??? ??? , ??? ?? ??? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??????

8.
???? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? , ???? ???? ??? ?? ??? | ?? ???? ???? ?? ?? | ???? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? |
???? ??? ?? ???- ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? , ???? ????? ?????? , ??? ????? ????? ???? ?? ?

Author's note: This post is dedicated to my students with whom we worked tirelessly together to identify our funny bones, comedic tempo-rhythm, creating opposites from scripts and develop a total commitment. Also inspired by this source

9 Simple Steps That Will Make You a Top Bollywood Comedy Actor