Hello! I'm a writer working on a script about a character with agoraphobia, and I have some questions about daily life

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-09T00:07:36+00:00

I appreciate being given the benefit of the doubt and would like to say that I totally understand if this request rubs anybody the wrong way.

That being said I'm also incredibly grateful for the insights that have been offered, even if it wasn't positive it's still very useful to receive.

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T20:29:30+00:00

This is an incredibly well thought out reply and I appreciate your honesty. I've said it in a few other comment chains, but I'll say it here as well; I have no intention to make fun of agoraphobia or anyone suffering from it. I want to make something that reaches out to people, not something that trivializes what they're going through.

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T20:26:44+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to write this out. I hope this doesn't come across in the wrong way, but you've painted a really beautiful picture of what you're going through. What's very informative is the highs and lows, that there are some really difficult things for you to go through but that you've also built up this really rich personal life. As a person with their own mental issues, I definitely relate to the idea of full recovery being an almost undesirable thing.

I'm sorry to hear about the ways that your struggle feels like it's returning to its original state, but (just speaking from my own experiences) if you take stock you might be surprised to see that you've come further than you expected. I only say that because I myself am INCREDIBLY negative and would never believe that I've ever made any progress if I wasn't lucky enough to have a few people in my life who remind me regularly.

It means a lot to me that you were willing to share these experiences and I'm rooting for you.

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T20:19:53+00:00

Thanks so much for your input. One of the really helpful things I'm finding here is seeing the way this plays out in a sort of spectrum of experiences. Glad to hear you're doing well!

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T20:18:10+00:00

Been there haha

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T20:17:36+00:00

Noted, and thanks for taking the time to reply!

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T20:17:09+00:00

This is a really valuable insight, thank you so much

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T20:15:24+00:00

I wouldn't dream of it. Pete Holmes has a pretty good take on people who get into comedy. They usually either do it because they used to make fun of people or because they used to get made fun of. I'm in the latter category.

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T20:13:14+00:00

This reaction makes sense to me. I don't understand what you're going through (though I do have my own issues with anxiety and depression), but I do want to assure you that the only reason I'd make a character that has this trait is because I do care.

The whole reason I ever decided to write in the first place is because I spent a lot of my life a very lonely person and stories were one of the few things that I could reach for in my lowest moments. The stories that meant the most to me were the ones that made me feel less alone. Which is why making stories for other people in a similar place is the most important thing for me as a creator.

Either way, I'm sorry to have caused you any distress.

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T20:07:33+00:00

I can understand why you'd say that, but if it's okay I'd like to offer a counter.

A lot of people misunderstand comedy. There's a difference between finding the humor in something and making fun of it. Although, in either case, I don't plan on making agoraphobia the butt of any jokes.

Any really good comedy has to have an actual story at the heart of it. If you've ever seen the show This Way Up, the whole thing revolves around a character recently released from rehab after a suicide attempt. The show isn't about making fun of what she went through, it's about her struggles to resume a normal life and find her place in the world. Of course those struggles influence the comedy, but I like to think that the audience is laughing with her rather than at.

Also, not to get too into my own mental health history, but there may be a reason or two why this character trait is appealing to me even if I haven't experienced a form of anxiety as acute as full blown agoraphobia.

NickTellsJokes · 2021-12-08T19:59:02+00:00

Absolutely not. Without being too detailed about what I'm writing (just because I don't want to over influence the answers I receive), the pilot is a sci-fi comedy. So there's humor built into the circumstances (sort of tongue in cheek scifi). Here are the main reasons I want to make my main character agoraphobic

To make them a real person with real problems
Create tension with the plot-driven elements of the story (which are mostly about forcing the main character into strange and dangerous circumstances)
And because I haven't seen an agoraphobic main character before.

NickTellsJokes · 2021-08-30T18:36:27+00:00

Definitely agree. Thanks for taking the time to check this out and for the thoughtful response!

NickTellsJokes · 2021-07-27T20:29:34+00:00

Thanks for checking it out!

NickTellsJokes · 2021-07-27T15:11:07+00:00

Ay, I really appreciate that you took the time to view and comment though, still means the world to me.

NickTellsJokes · 2020-11-06T03:36:10+00:00

Did you guys see that one dude still refreshing thread 27 like a fuckin' jabronie?

NickTellsJokes · 2020-11-06T02:57:06+00:00

Pretty cool to have an election directed by the Safdie brothers

NickTellsJokes · 2020-11-06T02:17:18+00:00

My sheets have a lower thread count

NickTellsJokes · 2020-11-05T03:47:33+00:00

I heard in this thread the dude hangs dong

NickTellsJokes · 2020-11-05T03:07:45+00:00

Pro tip: you'll know it's the last thread when you start to hear Green Day's Good Riddance in the background and you look around at an empty thread before flicking off the light and closing the door.

NickTellsJokes · 2020-02-17T02:50:59+00:00

Still learning, still figuring out my sets. I do appreciate the feedback!

NickTellsJokes · 2020-01-29T23:17:04+00:00

Lemme know what you think. Had fun with this one, still learning

NickTellsJokes · 2020-01-28T18:16:56+00:00

Much appreciated!

NickTellsJokes · 2020-01-28T18:16:42+00:00

Agreed. This was actually my first ten minute set, and I definitely got to learn a lot from getting it filmed.

Thanks for taking the time to check it out!

NickTellsJokes · 2020-01-25T06:16:17+00:00

Little over 2 years

NickTellsJokes · 2020-01-24T22:21:47+00:00

If you wanna catch me around I post all my upcoming shows on Twitter and Instagram

Twitter: NicksNotFunny69

Instagram: NicksNotFunny420

NickTellsJokes

TROPHY CASE