This week, it’s finally time to use what we learned, and make a skit! I know we all have funny ideas rattling around in our heads, but we need to filter things and plan them out before we turn the camera on. Let’s get into it!

I’m making a video today, and the first idea that comes to mind is to act out a funny story from where I work. We have to remember though, just because something is funny for us, doesn’t mean it will be for everyone else.

For example, during one of my last shifts, I told a customer his total came to $19.39. He responded by saying that 1939 was a great year. It took me a moment, but I realized that 1939 was the beginning of World War II. I became concerned, and later retold the story to my family. We found it funny in a dark humor way. However, acting out this scenario wouldn’t be universally funny, some people may still find it too dark.

This is what I mean by filtering and planning. We want to act out scenes and skits that are undeniably entertaining for everyone. I was once told in an acting class; “If you can be funny without cursing or being inappropriate, you are truly funny.”

I think about that a lot, and I want to make content that is universally funny. Jerry Seinfeld has spoken about this. He talks about it like it’s a challenge, and it definitely is. When your jokes aren’t getting anywhere, throwing something inappropriate in always manages a chuckle. It’s not necessary though. It’s best to work with the basics.

So, for example, a better work story to act out would be the time I went to help in the kitchen and couldn’t find any gloves. A coworker came up to me and said, “oh, here!” and pulled a giant wad of gloves out of his pocket (thanks, George). The kitchen had a good laugh.

This was a really easy skit to do at home. I made it for TikTok, and I distinguished different characters with masks, hairstyles, and a hat. Since everyone’s wearing masks anyway right now, putting aside a different mask for each character is perfect.

When you have a skit idea similar to this, there’s no need to add anything inappropriate. The key to the skit being funny and entertaining is the story itself and the comedic timing. Add funny pauses and moments of silence, make funny facial expressions! That’s what gets a laugh out of folks.

Anyway, aside from YouTube and TikTok, Twitter can also be a good source for more acting tips.

There’s also a great voice acting community on Twitter, and voice acting is another good way to act at home during the pandemic. It’s also crucial to think about your voice and your tone in skits. Unless it’s the joke, having no emotion in your voice isn’t going to make your acting convincing.

I’m glad we still get to practice acting and make skits during all this, and I hope you get out there and make some. I’ll see you on the TikTok For You Page!