Turn to page 17 for a sex joke
I’ve heard a rumor that in the “industry” it’s an inside joke to have some sort of nudity or sex on page 17. Specifically 17. First, is that actually funny? And second, is it a shoe-in in terms of a scriptreader reading further?
– Zeb
via imdb
I’ve never heard this, but I love it.
True, it’s not “actually” funny. Something so meta is almost never actually funny, because it relies on knowing something outside the world of the story. At best, it’s funny in the way a Charlie Kaufman movie is funny: it makes you feel clever for a moment, but you’re not going to wet your shorts with laughter.
I just checked, and the script I’m currently writing does not have a sex joke or nudity on page 17. Which is surprising, because the first act is seriously stuffed with sex jokes. And implied nudity, if that counts.
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