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mostlynotwork · 4 months

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Writing good comedy isn't necessarily about being able to write 'something funny', as Steve Kaplan explains in this book.

As regular readers will know, I've taken up listening to audiobooks on my intercity drives. Rather than my usual fare of self improvement or business books, 'The Hidden Tools of Comedy' is an exploration of something completely different - writing comedy.

The book is based Kaplan's experience teaching comedy workshops to writers, directors and actors. It includes a discussion of the history and theory of comedy, as well as practical tools for helping comedy writers to improve their scripts and books.

The book uses case studies to demonstrate what does and doesn't work in comedy writing. Scenes from 'Big' and 'Groundhog Day' are frequently held up as examples of good writing, while the bad writing examples were typically from movies I'd never heard of.

One of the key concepts that underpins the book is what Kaplan refers to as '"the comedy equation".

The Comedy Equation: An ordinary guy or gal struggling against insurmountable odds without many of the required skills and tools with which to win yet never giving up hope.

Writing a comedy has never been on my to-do list. However the comedy equation, and the other tools Kaplan explores, have given me a new perspective on the comedy. It still may not be something I write myself, but it's given me a way to better understand why some scenes work, and some scenes (or whole movies) are a bad cringe from beginning to end.

I'd recommend this book for writers, or anyone interested in the how and why of what makes comedy work.

#The Hidden Tools of Comedy #steve kaplan #yearofreading #bookbacklog #comedy #writing

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avengerscompound · 1 year

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Alligator Loki Infinity Comic

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hunkahulkaaburningfudge · 9 months

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Aw, cute.

Scarlet Witch (2023) #6

#scarlet witch #wanda maximoff #billy kaplan #wiccan #teddy altman #hulkling #wiccling #billy x teddy #marvel comics #marvel 616 #marvel #616 wanda maximoff #steve orlando #sara pichelli #lorenzo tammetta #scarlet witch comics #scarlet witch 2023 #wednesday spoilers

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paladin-of-nerd-fandom65 · 27 days

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Who are your top 5/10 favorite Marvel characters?

Thanks 🙂

Ah, Ambitious Aren’t we? Eh, why not? I think I got a comprehensive list ;-)

For you buddy @confusedhummingbird

1) Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man

2) Doctor Victor Von Doom

3) Steve Rogers, Captain America

4) Bruce Banner, The Incredible/Immortal Hulk

5) Bucky Barnes, The Winter Soldier

6) Miles Morales, The Ultimate Spider-Man

7) Ben Grimm, Everyone’s Favorite fun loving Blue eyed Thing

8) Billy Kaplan Maximoff, Wiccan and Tommy Shepherd Maximoff, Speed

9) Kamala Khan, Miss Marvel

10) The Next Avengers (James Rogers, Torunn, Azari, Pym Jr, and Barton II; first seen in the animated direct to dvd film of the same name)

Honorable Mentions: Wanda Maximoff, Scarlet Witch; Anne Marie, Rouge; Laura Kinney Howlet, Wolverine; Kurt Wagner, Nightcrawler; Reed Richards, Mr Fantastic; Susan Storm-Richards, The Invisible Woman; Johnny Storm, The Human Torch; Erik Lehnssherr, Magneto; Tony Stark, The Invincible Iron Man; Jean Grey, Phoenix; Mary Jane Watson, The Amazing Spinneret; Harry Osborn, The Green Goblin; Galactus, Devourer of Worlds; and finally J Jonah Jameson of the Daily Bugle

#marvel #peter parker #victor von doom #steve rogers #bucky barnes #miles morales #ben grimm #fantastic four #billy kaplan #tommy shepherd #young avengers #kamala khan #next avengers

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scarletwitching · 1 year

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SCARLET WITCH #6

Written by STEVE ORLANDO

Art by LORENZO TAMMETTA & SARA PICHELLI

Cover by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN

Variant Cover by PEACH MOMOKO

FAMILY MATTERS!

Wanda's loyalties are tested when an enemy of the Kree/Skrull Empire falls through the Last Door desperate for help avenging their fallen comrades. Will Wanda honor the commitment she made to helping those in need – whoever they are – or will her love for her son Wiccan and his husband, Hulkling, triumph over all?

PLUS: A familiar figure appears at Wanda's shop…and it seems rumors of his death have been greatly exaggerated. But does he come as friend or foe?

On Sale 7/12 [x]

#scarlet witch #wanda maximoff #billy kaplan #teddy altman #hulkling #steve orlando #lorenzo tammetta #sara pichelli #russell dauterman #peach momoko #solo title #solicits #family

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thestarlightforge · 8 months

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I haven’t been paying close attention to comics this summer, and I just learned about Fall of X.

SO many mixed feelings.

Ofc they brought Kamala back. We all knew they would, from the moment she died—MCU synergy, she’s a mutant(ish) now.

Call me horrible—but my first thought was that finally, Wanda’s not the killer of all mutants anymore. She just got done fixing resurrection. And finally, Charles has to face his hubris.

Second, though—there’s no way it’s permanent. Not just because 250,000 mutants died, including Jean, whose whole thing is resurrection.

But also, because Prodigy, Iceman, Mystique and presumably Destiny are all “dead.”

That’s not just bury one gay. That’s half the Pride issue, every single year.

And finally, third—Wanda’s family is safe. For ONCE. 😂 Tommy was off-world with Billy. Wanda’s “technically not a mutant anymore,” and neither is Pietro. Viv is a synthezoid, and so is Vision.

B/c Steve Orlando is my hero. 😂

Could Agatha’s weirdness in Amazing Spider-Man annual (2023) be prepping to bring them all back? Did Erik die for the second time this year? Is it possible the portals themselves weren’t meat-grinders, but rather scattering people across the multiverse? Could Orlando be setting the Maximoffs up to save everyone? Will they finally have to trust Wanda?

I don’t love that Tommy has even more trauma, and the sheer number of dead queer characters makes me nervous. But damn. The MU is changing.

Edit: Linking this response—more clarification/discussion :)

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sesiondemadrugada · 10 months

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Burlesque (Steve Antin, 2010).

#burlesque #burlesque (2010)#steve antin #christina aguilera #bojan bazelli #virginia katz #jon gary steele #chris cornwell #dena roth #michael kaplan

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comicsgallery-marvel · 3 months

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Cable and Deadpool (2004) #30

#Bill Foster #Billy Kaplan #Danny Rand #Hercules Panhellenios #Kate Bishop #Steve Rogers #Teddy Altman #Wade Wilson #Cable and Deadpool (2004)

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ponderingrandomthings · 14 days

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A great song (and album) by Yes.

Again, not the usual famous/hits you may know the band for.

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Full Album Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zOxY5lBkwY&list=OLAK5uy_lHGzphVQHF2zNTRGdMVtA8pYT_yuzWoW4&index=9

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The lyrics do seem to have a Zen/Buddhist feel to it (Jon Anderson influence, I think).

Examples: The more we live > the more we learn > the more we know The more we give > the more we love > the more we grow The more we see > the more we try > the more we show The more we fear > the more we lie > the more we hide

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"The More We Live - Let Go" Lyrics

You and I can change the world The more we live, the more we learn, the more we know

From this moment on we share the world The more we give, the more we love, the more we grow

The spirit of imagination can lead us through the dark The more we see, the more we try, the more we show

The evidence of our confusion, life has left its mark The more we fear, the more we lie, the more we hide

As we walk into tomorrow (Turning away from the path we know) Holding the future with our hands (We carry the weight of the world we go) It's up to you and I (We hold the key; we hold the answer)

All our thoughts of doubt and fear (We leave it all by one) The more we live, the more we learn, the more we know

For each of us the road is clear and life has just begun; The more we give, the more we love, the more we grow

It's time to ease the thoughts we set for ourselves The more we fear, the more we lie, the more we hide

All we need is just to believe in ourselves We face the truth, we see it clear, with no disguise

Cast away our doubt and sorrow (Turning away from the past we know) The Universe and all can be (Showing the fate of the world we know) Together you and I, we hold the key to all the answers (Let go)

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More reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_(Yes_album)

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Trivia:

Some songs were originally written by the band ABWH (Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe) and some by Yes.

Initially recorded by both groups separately as their own compositions. Then, the producer and the label decide (along with Jon) to redo the bits originally recorded by Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe.

The song Masquerade (ABWH) received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Cover art was (again) by Roger Dean.

From Wikipedia: "The number of people who worked on the album is highly unusual. There are seven different producers, roughly 17 recording engineers and mixers, six backing singers, nine synthesizer player/programmers and no less than four additional musicians who added parts as well. ... four pages of the album's CD booklet are dedicated to the song credits."

From Wikipedia: "Producer Jonathan Elias's decision, with Anderson, to have session musicians overdub Wakeman and Howe's parts proved to be controversial with fans and critics."

Song List, Original Writers, and (My) Recommendation Notation:

I Would Have Waited Forever (ABWH) - Recommended

Shock to the System (ABWH) - Recommended

Masquerade (ABWH) - Recommended

Lift Me Up (Yes) - Recommended

Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day (ABWH) - Recommended

Saving My Heart (Yes) - Recommended

Miracle of Life (Yes) - Recommended (nice keyboard tone and drumming)

Silent Talking (ABWH) - Recommended (crunchy bass tone)

The More We Live – Let Go (Yes) - Recommended

Angkor Wat (ABWH)

Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For) (ABWH) - Recommended (great keyboard sounds in some parts)

Holding On (ABWH) - Recommended

Evensong (ABWH)

Take the Water to the Mountain (ABWH)

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brainfuzz · 5 months

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There is absolutely *no* surprise here whatsoever

#spotify wrapped #radio company #jensen ackles #steve carlson #avi kaplan #jason manns

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marvelstars · 1 year

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AIPT: Finally, X-Fan Duck with a hat wanted to know how connected the series will be to the X-Men line. Is there any potential for a crossover with Marauders?

Steve: Being in the X-Office as well with Marauder, X-Men Green, and some things that you’ll find out about soon, it’s easy enough to have mutants come through. And you’ll see it! We know Polaris is coming by in issue 3, and Wanda is now welcome on Krakoa as the redeemer, no longer the pretender. But that being said, Wanda’s engaged in helping people worldwide, or even universe wide. There’s no reason the Last Door only opens to Earth. So she’ll be quite busy as the series continues. When her friends can come through, she’ll certainly never blush at the help. But Scarlet Witch remains her show, her quest, and her heroic journey.

AIPT: (More on Scarlet Witch #3 after the interview, X-Fans!) Now, X-Fan JMC was wondering, what do you see as the main differences between the Scarlet Witch and Polaris?

Steve: Wanda and Lorna have had a complicated relationship in the past, but now that they’re both rededicated to giving family a shot, I think they’ll potentially bond over things that have in the past brought tension. Now, the question of Polaris’s parentage is clear, and she’s secure in being Magneto’s biological daughter. From that security comes her desire to reconnect with her adopted sister (and brother, in time).

Both Wanda and Lorna have struggled with mental health in the past, and both overcome it. But that being said, Lorna remains a scientist. She sees the world through a scientific lens, one where logic and proven answers rule, and physics reigns — even if she’s a mutant who can manipulate magnetism. She still sees herself as manipulating the provable, natural world’s inner workings. And Wanda? She manipulates reality itself, she can make an untrue thing true, make the impossible possible. And so she is more worried about the endpoint, the goal, not the journey. Lorna is the opposite. But as we see when Polaris appears, often times it takes the meeting point of their two philosophies to get the job done.

AIPT: And while we’re talking family, X-Fans Ian, JMC, Kingdom X, and PolarIceHavok were all wondering if Wanda’s feelings about Magneto’s recent death might be explored.

Steve: They’ll absolutely be explored! You’ll be seeing that in issue 2, for which the solicit just came out, in a killer backup story by Stephanie Williams and Chris Allen that features Storm as well — I can’t wait!

AIPT: X-Fan MetalMagic said Wanda’s stories have always, for better or worse, been deeply influenced and enriched by her relationships with her family and loved ones. Recent events have granted Wanda the power to mend old wounds and the agency to forge a new path forward for herself. With this new perspective, MetalMagic is ecstatic to see Wanda interacting with her siblings, Pietro and Lorna, and exploring her connections with her “extended family” in Viv Vision. That being said, will the series aim to define or take a deeper look at Wanda’s complicated relationship with her “sons” Billy and Tommy?

Steve: The chief goal of Scarlet Witch is to explore Wanda’s character itself as deeply as possible. She’s the star. She’s the icon. But that being said — this is a book that celebrates chosen family, and it would be incredible for Wanda to quest her way into Billy and Tommy’s orbit, separate or together. It would be fascinating to explore Wanda’s dynamic with Billy and Tommy’s human parents, and contrast that with her role as the mother of the people Billy and Tommy reincarnated from. Yet another strange facet of Wanda’s life that she’s learning to lean into, to embrace and explore.

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#Steve Orlando #Scarlet Witch #Quicksilver #Polaris #Magneto #billy kaplan #tommy shepherd #Youtube #great interview

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fanficwriting · 2 years

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I dunno why it's funny, it just is. btw, I'm reading the Young Avengers rn. it's interesting so far.

#marvel comics #young avengers #billy kaplan #hulkling #loki (marvel)#kate bishop #america chavez #steve rogers #thor

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hunkahulkaaburningfudge · 9 months

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Scarlet Witch (2023) #6

#scarlet witch #wanda maximoff #billy kaplan #wiccan #616 wanda maximoff #marvel comics #marvel #marvel 616 #steve orlando #sara pichelli #lorenzo tammetta #scarlet witch comics #scarlet witch 2023 #wednesday spoilers

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khrysos-karnifex · 1 year

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Wanda mothering the hell out of America is brilliant 10/10 content The attempted murder to adoption pipeline is real and I love it

BUT

where’s my love for Natasha accidentally taking in Anya Corazon and Luci Nguyen and not just being the distant mentor cause fuck you comics

They both just keep taking in strays until they’ve collected America, Anya, Luci, Billy and Tommy showed up somehow along the way and why wouldn’t they take in Billy’s alien boyfriend Teddy too? and hey guess what! some of the strange academy kids need a place for a while? sure take em all!

#marvel #the avengers #natasha romonova #wanda maximoff #wandanat #america chavez #billy kaplan #tommy shepherd #anya corazon #luci nguyen #it’s always tony adopting kids #or steve #but i know in my heart these two would do the same just open your eyes please #yeah sure wanda’s prone to doing drastically evil things on a whim but like it’s because of family

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brownwork · 9 months

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Very pleased that Karl Records of Berlin have released a 2LP vinyl version of our previously Bandcamp-only concoction Power Failures

#75 dollar bill #che chen #rick brown #75dollarbill #Power Failures #Karl Records #sue garner #ira kaplan #yasi perera #steve maing #barry weisblat

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steveschumeister · 11 months

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Steve Schumeister - Flickr

Steven Schumeister practices nationally with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

#steve schumeister #managing partner #robins kaplan llp #minneapolis #minnesota

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