So my favourite comedy writer, Chris Morris, has just premiered his first feature film at Sundance. It’s called Four Lions and it looks shit hot.

I posted a clip from the film on Videosift and it shot to number 1. So hopefully that gives the film a weeny bit more buzz.

Yesterday I listened to an interview with Chris Morris in which he talked about making the film. As a comedy writer, I was particularly into his comments on staying with the funny:

“If the writing gets too far away from sitting around trying to make each other laugh then you’re in trouble. So I think that’s where you keep forcing funny ideas into the centre of the room. You can have a very rambling run-up to that point, but as long as that’s what you keep trying to do then you’re heading in the right direction”.

I totally get this. It’s so easy to get so caught-up in theme and structure that you lose the funny. It’s a fine balance, and I think it’s what makes writing comedy so difficult. You have to be aware of all of the intricate elements of good drama, PLUS it has to be funny!

But that’s not to underestimate the importance of craft. The “rambling run-up” Morris mentions refers to research and outlining. For me it’s important to get things sorted in my mind and in an outline so that when I start writing the script I can let go and have fun with it. If it keeps me laughing then I keep it going, but always with an eye to the spine that I’ve set up in the outline.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to tracking the progress of Four Lions.

Chris Morris