Its Funny How You Can Make Fun of Becky but Not Shnaniqua

Sketchy Advice: a comedy writing column from the UCB. Comedy writers from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres and UCB Comedy talk about making funny stuff and how to do it. This week, Becky Chicoine talks about writing with a partner.

Becky is a comedian, actress, and writer living in Brooklyn. She performs at UCBT Chelsea with her Maude team Dangerous Woman and UCBT East Village with her sketch team OSFUG: A Fast F*ckin' Sketch Show. She makes up one half of the duo Girls With Brown Hair, Sam Reece is her other half. She also hosts a monthly show with Sudi Green called Theme Party and other shows with her musical improv team Fancy Mantelpiece. She's originally from Wisconsin, so yeah. She likes cheese. She's been seen smiling in a commercial or two. www.beckychicoine.com

Benefits of a Writing Buddy!

When I make grade A quality jokes, I like to hear laughter. I like my feedback like I like my men*, instant. When writing by myself, I have difficulty figuring out if things are genuinely funny or if they're just funny to me, and what jokes work and what don't. I never question those things when writing with a partner. That's just one of the many benefits of working with a writing buddy. Don't worry, I got more for you.

ACCOUNTABILITY! Duh! If you have a biweekly writers' meeting, you're not showing up to that meeting empty handed. That would be a waste of time for you and your partner. That being said, you need to find someone that can push you. Someone that can keep you on track. I've had many a "writing session" that quickly spiraled into a gossip hour (which is also a great thing to have, but we're talking about writing here, guys). However, you are the captain of your own ship, the queen of your own Nile. So, if you find yourself showing up to writer's meetings empty handed, that's not your partner's fault. That's on you, and you need to make sure you're invested in your work.

BOUNCE IDEAS! You have an idea for an average people gym** but you can't figure out how to heighten? Your buddy can help! That blackout line "No, I'm the Doctor, Nurse!"*** just isn't working? Your buddy can help! You wanna write a web series about 2 kooky roommates in NYC but don't know how to make it fresh or original? Your buddy can help! (But really, there is no way.) Find a partner that will "yes, and" you in a writer's room****. Someone to boost your confidence and make your ideas shine brighter. Maybe 70% of the time those ideas don't actually work and they fall to the cutting room floor, but at least you tried. Negativity in a writer's room is the LITERAL WORST. THAT'S RIGHT I SAID IT. LITERAL WORST. Negativity does not often foster creativity. Pretty please learn that now!

CREATE SUCCESS! Two is better than one! You and your partner should have a similar goal in mind: create a web series, write a two person show, write a broadway musical and cast Becky Chicoine as the lead, etc. You'll have a better chance at finding success if two people are working for it! It's numbers and science! Obviously this isn't the steadfast rule; I'm mostly just speaking from personal experience (and science and numbers).

MULTIPLE BUDDIES! "But, Becky," you say, "I have a few people with whom I like to write. Is that okay?" Of course it is! Don't spread yourself too thin, but if you have the energy, do reach out and work with multiple groups. Make sure the groups focus on different types of sketch. Otherwise, the overlap is tricky, and you'll inevitably favor one group over the other, and resentment will be born. For example, I'm a part of the team OSFUG, and we focus on writing fast, 2 pages or less sketches. Whereas Sam Reece and I, Girls With Brown Hair, focus on peas in a pod character sketches. Another partner Sudi Green and I focus on hosting bits and absurd, satirical sketches. Make those teams work for you. But also, don't stress yourself out! That's just general life advice though.

And there you have it, the ABC…M (dammit) of a writing buddy! But honestly, if you don't like writing with a partner- don't. In that partnerless case, I recommend at least having a trusted friend edit your work. And then you're good to go! If you become famous, don't forget about me (I like musicals).

*coffee

**Sudi Green and I worked on this together!

***blackout line by Sam Reece!

****all of OSFUG

Dad Rap with Sam Reece:

Cyute Crafts with Sudi Green:

Just Maintain with OSFUG and Sudi Green:

Thanks Becky! Catch more Sketchy Advice on Thursdays right here on the UCB Blog and check out new videos every weekday at YouTube.com/UCBcomedy and live shows at ucbtheatre.com!

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Source: https://ucbcomedy.tumblr.com/post/111477316093/sketchy-advice-becky-chicoine-on-writing-with-a