What can screenwriters learn from the storytelling techniques used by stand-up comedians?

Standup comedians can keep audiences gripped to their every word for over an hour, and often bring them to emotional climaxes by the end. So how do they do it and what tools can apply to scripted narratives?

For this deep dive into standup, Stu and Chas are joined by the super-talented comic and podcaster Alice Fraser. Which is rather fortuitous. Because not only are we schooled on comedy techniques, but because Alice also has a Masters in Narrative Rhetoric.

So as we dive in to NANETTE by Hannah Gadsby, BABY COBRA by Ali Wong and IT'S THE FIREWORKS TALKING by Daniel Kitson (with more than a passing reference to Alice's own show SAVAGE and INSIDE by Bo Burnham), we analyse narrative structure, transitions, set-ups and pay-offs used by stand-ups…

But we end up focusing on exploring thematic tools - particularly the Aristotelean concepts of the rhetorical triangle: logos (how the story is told), ethos (who the storyteller is), and pathos (how the audience emotionally engages). With these powers combined, storytellers of all kinds can produce work of thematic power and resonance. Or just funny.

And in backmatter, we discuss adapting Savage for the recorded stage with Alice!

Enjoy!

Spoilers abound. Audio excerpts used for educational purposes.

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:03:25 - Alice Fraser on comedy
00:22:33 - Comedy tools to be explored
00:26:21 - Nanette by Hannah Gadsby
00:48:47 - Transitions in and out of theme
01:08:32 - Baby Cobra by Ali Wong
01:37:57 - It's the Fireworks Talking by Daniel Kitson
02:04:45 - Key Learnings
02:14:39 - Backmatter - Adapting SAVAGE from stage to screen and screen again

LINKS

Alice Fraser - http://www.alicecomedyfraser.com

Listen: Savage Part 1 https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/alice-fraser-trilogy/alice-fraser-trilogy-savage-part-one/10070682
Listen: Savage Part 2 https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/alice-fraser-trilogy/alice-fraser-trilogy-savage-part-two/10082916
Watch: Savage: https://www.amazon.com/Alice-Fraser-Savage-Season-1/dp/B08BYZD952

Hannah Gadsby - Nanette:

Watch: https://www.netflix.com/title/80233611
Hannah on Working it Out podcast with Mike Birbiglia: http://workingitout.libsyn.com/5-hannah-gadsby

Alice Wong - Baby Cobra:

Watch: https://www.netflix.com/title/80233611

Daniel Kitson - It's The Fireworks Talking:

Listen: https://danielkitson.bandcamp.com/album/its-the-fireworks-talking-2007

Bo Burnham - Inside:

Watch: https://www.netflix.com/title/81289483

This episode brought to you by ScriptUp – https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off.

Thanks to all our patrons, especially Thomas, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Theis, Sandra, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

DZ-83: A Very Thematic Stand-up Special!

Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast