Skip to main content

How to make a sad story funny - Jodie Houlston-Lau

394,655 Views

3,042 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

It may seem counterintuitive, but comedy is often key to a serious story. As a writer, you need your audience to experience a range of emotions, no matter what your genre. Comic relief is a tried-and-true way of creating the varied emotional texture a compelling story needs. So how can you create this effect in your own stories? Jodie Houlston-Lau shares some tips for lightening the mood.

It seems to be human nature for us to seek out the comedy in tragic moments. Why do you think this is?

Login to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Jodie Houlston-Lau
  • Director Joe Taylor
  • Narrator Alexandra Panzer
  • Storyboard Artist Joe Taylor, Jasmine Lister
  • Animator Joe Taylor
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger
  • Composer Jarrett Farkas
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Content Associate Abdallah Ewis
  • Script Editor Iseult Gillespie
  • Fact-Checker Jennifer Nam

More from The Writer's Workshop