July 2025 — Acclaimed comedy coach, director and mentor Chris Head has released his latest book, The Complete Comedy Script Toolkit, a lively and practical guide packed with creative techniques and exercises to help writers craft sharper, funnier, and more original comedy scripts.
Drawing on years of experience teaching comedy for BBC Writers, the British Library, Bath Spa University, and mentoring writers with former BBC Head of Comedy Commissioning Lucy Lumsden, Head distills his encyclopaedic knowledge of comedy into an inspiring, accessible resource. Whether you’re writing sitcoms, comedy dramas, sketches, screenplays, comedy plays, or anything else funny, this book gives you the tools you need to write your sharpest and funniest work.
"The best comedy looks effortless, but behind every rollicking joke and every frolicsome scene (thanks Thesaurus.com) is a whole toolkit of techniques," Head explains. "Often these are used unconsciously, but over many years of working with writers, I’ve developed ways of making these tools consciously accessible and usable — and after many requests, I’ve finally put them all in one place."
The Complete Comedy Script Toolkit takes a “profound plunge” (as Head likes to put it) into what makes comedy tick: creating flawed and compelling characters, crafting punchlines and comic dialogue, building hilarious scenes, and structuring stories. Packed with examples from classic and contemporary comedies, along with dozens of writing exercises, it helps you not just understand comedy but actually do it better.
While focused on writing for screen — from social media and YouTube to short films, TV, and movies — the insights here are just as useful for any kind of humorous writing.
Critics and peers have praised Head’s unique ability to demystify comedy without killing the frog:
“His understanding of comedy is captivating, encyclopaedic.” — Will Gompertz, former BBC Arts Editor
“Head’s style is refreshingly breezy and simultaneously substantial.” — Choice, USA
“The ideal person to nurture new talent.” — The Guardian
“Head’s style is refreshingly breezy and simultaneously substantial.” — Choice, USA
“The ideal person to nurture new talent.” — The Guardian
Whether you’re an aspiring writer or an experienced one looking to expand your comedy toolkit, this book offers a cornucopia of practical inspiration and expert guidance — all delivered in Head’s signature witty and insightful style.
