Michael Ward

Apparently, the secret is tea...lots of it. First Gary McCaffrie told us, now Michael Ward has confirmed it. Michael's tea consumption has not only fueled the writing he contributed to The Micallef P(r)ogram(me), Micallef Tonight, Full Frontal and Welcher & Welcher, but Michael's caffienated comedy frenzies have also resulted in contributions to Rove, Comedy Inc, skitHouse, and BackBerner among others. 

In our never ending quest to dissect the comedy writing process, as well as cyber harrass every person Shaun has come in contact with (including that guy he sat next to on the 10:15 Frankston train last Saturday), Michael has been kind to indulge us and share with us his insight into contributing to the Micallef magic!

How did you come to be a comedy writer?

I studied Media Studies at uni and in my second year I went along to a workshop for the uni revue.  It was being run by Wendy Harmer and Tracy Harvey, who at the time were on The Gillies Report.  I wrote a bunch of stuff that people seemed to find funny.  Professionally, I sent some scripts to the head writer of Full Frontal in ‘95 (via another writer) and got my opportunity that way. 

What was the first sketch you ever wrote?

Well, in primary school I dimly remember writing a spoof on The Hardy Boys and reading it in front of the class, but the first proper sketch I wrote was for one of those revue workshops I mentioned.  It was a domestic situation that combined a whole lot of game show clichés.  I remember it got laughs, but I cringe when I think back on those pun-ridden early efforts.

Why comedy?

I’m not sure.  No one else in my family writes or performs.  

Did you receive any formal training in writing?

No, not comedy writing.  I did a post grad in Professional Writing and Editing (which I didn’t finish) but that was non-fiction writing and editing.  At the time I wanted to work for Lonely Planet.

Who have been your influences?

Shaun and Gary have influenced my writing ‘craft’ more than anyone else, but before I had the chance to work with them, it was probably stuff I grew up watching on TV: Dave Allen, The Two Ronnies, Not The Nine O’Clock News.  I remember stumbling across Annie Hall one night on TV when I was much younger and thinking it was an absolute revelation.  Similarly, I’ll never forget how much I laughed when I was first exposed to Python (again, stumbling across Holy Grail on TV).  More recently I’ve been a big fan of Arthur Matthews and Graham Linehan (Big Train, Father Ted) as well as Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci. 

Have you any interest in writing within other genres?

Yeah, I write for the Herald Sun here and there – mainly arts related.  I review DVDs, comedy.  I’ve also done a bit of travel writing.   I have no real urge to write drama - at least, not straight drama. 

How did you come to collaborate with Shaun?

I first met Shaun on Full Frontal around 1995.  I think he and Gary might have liked something I wrote in my first year (I think it was the line “you can’t keep a good man down, especially if he’s made of cork”).  When the first series of The Micallef Program came around, I think another writer who was going to contribute dropped out.  I  called to ask if I could do some writing and was fortunate enough to get a gig.
 

How does the collaborative writing process work on the projects you have been involved in? Does each writer bring in things he has written on his own, or do you all sit in a room and nut scripts out together?

On the various series of The Micallef Program, it was usually a case of me just submitting my sketches, although I’d often come into the ABC on my couple of days and write in the office, filling gaps with what was needed (the show was well plotted out on a white board).  Mostly I was just contributing ‘quickies’.  Once or twice I wrote with Shaun and Gary – on the hypothetical sketch from the second or third series, for example.  On the Welcher and Welcher episode I co-wrote (the one in the stairwell), that was directly from a story outline of Shaun’s.  He plotted it, I wrote it, then Shaun made whatever adjustments he felt necessary.  There was a bit more collaboration on Micallef Tonight, but it was more about the overall show rather than individual sketches.

Does everyone contribute equally or is there a ratio of how much of your material gets used?

My relative contribution to the sketch series was minimal.  Gary and Shaun wrote most of the stuff.  On Micallef Tonight, because of the weekly turnaround, the writing duties were more evenly divided.  We were all writing monologue gags, High Horse bits, pre-recorded sketches, questions for guests, desk pieces etc.

You've worked on numerous shows with the same actors. Do you write with their performance styles consciously in mind?

Not really, but being lucky enough to work with Shaun and Francis allows you to develop an ear for their voices.

 

Do you prefer sketch comedy to situation comedy? Which is more challenging or enjoyable for you?

I have enjoyed sketch comedy very much and been lucky enough to work on a few different sketch series, but you tend to burn out after a while – the last thing you want to do is repeat ideas.  I enjoyed co-writing Welcher and would really like to work on another sitcom.

Where does an idea for a sketch or joke usually come from?

It’s difficult to say but it usually comes from just thinking long enough – letting your brain just float around what you’ve seen, read, heard, thought recently.  Reading the newspaper, movies or watching TV can spark ideas. 

What do you do when you have writer's block?

I get depressed and frustrated.  I make yet another cup of tea.  You have to remind yourself that you can’t write (hopefully) top drawer stuff every day.

Ever wrote a sketch you now regret having written?

All the unfunny ones.

What's your favourite Micallef P(r)ogram(me) sketch?

Too many to name, but I still get a laugh out of ‘Kreepy Spooks’, the crappy theater restaurant sketch that Shaun wrote for the second or third series.  Of my own sketches, I’m still fond of the quickie where Francis is in a tent and worried that he’s pitched it on a slope (he’s actually pitched it vertically on the side of a wall).

What are your top five favourite films?

Off the top of my head, here are ten: McCabe and Mrs. Miller; The Good, The Bad and The Ugly; The Sheltering Sky; Koyaanisqatsi; Alien; Where Eagles Dare; Solaris (original); The Thing (re-make); Sunrise; Psycho.

When was the last time you laughed out loud at something you were watching,
reading or listening to, and what was it that made you laugh?

I saw on the CNNNN guys’ Triple J website recently that they dubbed Channel 7’s Today Tonight host Naomi Robson ‘Australia’s premier autocue reader.”  I thought that was pretty funny.

When you aren't writing, what are you involved in?

I play poker, go to the gym, watch DVDs, read, go to Hawthorn games, hang out in the local café, walk the dog, prepare for life with twins.

 Any deep burning unfulfilled ambitions on your wish list?

I wouldn’t mind getting my film produced.  And getting another good idea for a film.  And writing a decent sitcom.

What is your advice to hopeful, up and coming comedians and writers?

Write half a dozen original, funny sketches that you are really happy with and use them as a calling card to try and get work.  Watch the credits of comedy shows you like and try and get your stuff to the head writer or producer.  It’s very important to write in the style of the show you want to work on.  Persist, keep writing, ask for advice on how you can improve.  Watch a lot of comedy.

Big thanks to Michael from the SMOWAH gang for answering the Q&A. ! 

**A selection of Michael's credits

Television

(Writing)
- SkitHouse (2003)
-Comedy Inc (2003)
- Micallef Tonight (2003)
-Welcher & Welcher (2003)
- Russell Gilbert was Here (2003)
- 43rd Annual TV Week Logies Awards (2001)
- Rove Live (2000)
- BackBerner (1999)
- The Micallef P(r)ogram(me) (1998-2001)
- Get A Life (1997)
- Full Frontal (1993)

(Appearances)
- Eagle & Evans (2003) - Husband on the Couch (episode 1.6)
- Welcher & Welcher (2003) - "Man at Lift" (episode 1.7)
- The Micallef Pogram (2001)- Member of The Kelly Gang

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