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Dave Schwensen
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Comedy Workshop: Creating & Writing Comedy Material: For Comedians & Humorous Speakers Paperback – July 7, 2012

by Dave Schwensen (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 17 ratings
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Comedy material can come from just about anywhere when you know how to look for it. Learn to take creative ideas and real life experiences onto the comedy stage and speaker's platform. The author of "How To Be A Working Comic" and "Comedy FAQs And Answers" returns with an innovative guidebook dedicated to creating and writing original comedy material. Written in a conversational and easy to read manner, Schwensen relies on nearly two decades of comedy workshop and coaching experiences to cover topics provided by aspiring comedians and humorous speakers. Being original is a key element for success in the humor business. Following specific comedy writing formulas only succeeds in creating more copies of the same style. To stand out from the competition, Schwensen urges writers to explore their personal creativity and individual sense of humor through various writing methods. The final goal is simple - making audiences laugh. The shared advice and writing techniques in this book come from workshop experience and collaborations that have helped literally hundreds of aspiring and working comedians and humorous speakers create and write comedy material.
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  1. Print length
    82 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    July 7, 2012
  4. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.19 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0615667112
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0615667119
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ North Shore Publishing (July 7, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 82 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0615667112
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0615667119
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.19 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

About the author

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Dave Schwensen

Dave Schwensen

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Dave Schwensen is an entertainment journalist, award-winning humor columnist, pop culture historian and nationally recognized comedy coach. His insider's knowledge of the comedy industry was earned as talent coordinator for the television show "A&E's An Evening at the Improv," The Improv Comedy Clubs in Los Angeles and New York City, and consultant for many television programs, networks and film studios. As a talent agent he has worked with comedians and humorous speakers in the corporate, college, special event and theater markets.

And now for something completely different...

Dave witnessed the excitement of Beatlemania when his parents took him to see The Fab Four during their final tour. The memories inspired his best-selling book "The Beatles In Cleveland" and latest, "The Beatles At Shea Stadium." Dave is a featured author at numerous Beatles festivals and shares insights about the group and the concert experience at schools and special events.

Dave is the author of two blogs that cover both topics.

For insider information about the comedy industry visit www.TheComedyBook.wordpress.com

For a combination of humor and classic rock, check out Dave's "Dream Songs" countdown at www.TheClassicRocker.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
17 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

David C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Quick read, great tips
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2012
Verified Purchase
As a professional comedy ventriloquist and speaker, I read a lot of books on the art and craft of comedy. Dave captures the essence of the process in an easy to read and understand format. Great tips, especially for beginners, but also some useful nuggets for seasoned pros that make this worth the price and time invested.
One person found this helpful
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Robert Telecky
4.0 out of 5 stars tHIS IS A GREEAT GUIDE OF YOU ARE JUST BEGINNING TO WRITE MATERIAL OR LIKE I SAID GETTING THE RUST OUT OF MY GEARS.
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2013
Verified Purchase
Im a born again comic and when I decided to break back into the life, I need something to get the rust out of my gears. I took Daves live workshop and pruchased this book. the Book is filled with Practicle advice on learning how to create your own comedy vault /data base. it provides a basic structure on how to get your own creative juices flowing and find your own comedy voice. I know that I am a joke teller by nature as my earliest inspirations were one liner comics like Uncle Milty. Joan rivers, Phyillis Diller, Flip Wilson and the late great Rodney Dnagerfield. This book helps you to identify with your own style of humor and embrace it. its not a technical book on how to be funny as Dave states that he doesnt believe he can teach anyone how to be funny but he can teach you how to peel back the layers to discover your own style and sense of humor. a must have for anyone who is just startng out or starting out again.
2 people found this helpful
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Joshua Lawhorn
5.0 out of 5 stars Dave Schwensen is a Comedy Genuis!
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
Dave Schwensen is a genuis in the comedy game. You can either pay $220 to take his class or read his 3 books. Either way you will gain a significant amount of knowledge as to how the comedy game works.
One person found this helpful
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aj111
5.0 out of 5 stars great advice!
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2012
Verified Purchase
I've wanted to try comedy for quite awhile but didn't really know how to get started. This book gave me the guidance to put together my ideas into a set that I will use on stage. Similar to the author's previous books this one has great advice. Easy to read and follow. Good job!
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noam d. plume
1.0 out of 5 stars Rip-Off Alert!
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2012
Verified Purchase
A how-to book that leaves out the "how."

Do not believe the 5-star reviews for this book. Only the author's mother would give this thing more than a single star, which rates it as awful.

Let me save you 8 bucks and reveal the author's priceless writing advice: "Carry a notebook. Write down all your funny ideas. Throw away your joke-writing books."

Helpful information? Not in the least.

Judy Carter's "Comedy Bible" contains helpful information, as does Greg Dean's book. But this one--if you buy it, just don't say I didn't warn you.
9 people found this helpful
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Book aficianada
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book.
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2012
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The book helped me to focus on what is most important in developing a standup and/or humorous speaker act/presentation. Writing is crucial, but the book discusses important things to remember when writing. I definitely learned a few things from the book.
One person found this helpful
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L Blade
4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable insights offered in an easy to understand way
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2013
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I enjoyed the book and learned from it too. Dave Schwenson has years of experience in the comedy business. This book helps the reader benefit from his knowledge by offering what only a comedy insider can, lessons learned from a career in the often difficult craft of comedy. While it isn't a comprehensive guide the book offers practical writing advice that many will find useful. He presents the information in a conversational and easy to understand way. Whether you are interested in performing standup, in comedy writing, or in being a professional speaker that uses humor as a means to present a message this book has something for you. I recommend you check it out to hear a comedy pro answer questions from people aspiring to better themselves as writers.
2 people found this helpful
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Geminii Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars You need this to start!
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2012
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Invaluable instruction for the contemporary Comics learning to hone there craft. It has easy application for the novice and refreshing tips for the vet! Thanks Dave for a great first step!
One person found this helpful
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