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Cut to the Monkey: A Hollywood Editor’s Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Making Hit Comedies Paperback – November 15, 2021

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 58 ratings

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Cut to the Monkey is the story of a filmmaker's journey through Hollywood—revealing the techniques behind how the experts find the funny in any project—by a filmmaker who has worked with some of the funniest people in the business and has edited Emmy-nominated episodes from series such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, and Who Is America?

Nobody knows who first said, "Dying is easy, comedy is hard." But almost everyone in the film business agrees it's true. Roger Nygard shares his anecdotal experiences in television, features, and documentaries as a filmmaker and editor—struggles and successes any filmmaker can identify with. Nygard also includes tips for Hollywood professionals and fans alike on how to successfully navigate the business of being funny.

Along with a major focus on film editing, the author shares filmmaking stories that will leave readers feeling inspired and better prepared to deal with their own struggles. The book also features contributions about writing, creating, and editing comedy from some of the biggest names in the comedy business, including Judd Apatow (Girls, The 40-Year-Old Virgin), Alec Berg (Silicon Valley, Barry), Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Who Is America?), Mike Binder (The Upside of Anger, Black or White), Larry David (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep), David Mandel (Veep, The White House Plumbers), Jeff Schaffer (The League, Dave), Krista Vernoff (Shameless, Grey's Anatomy), and others.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

NetGalley Review: 4 stars

Last updated on 10 Oct 2021

"This is a combination of industry memoir and technical guide to film and television editing and storytelling. Film students and others aspiring to work in the industry will probably find both parts quite compelling.

As an interested outsider, I much preferred the nerdy details. Reading about the theory of comedy, the structure of storytelling, and even the mechanical aspects of how to mix sound was absolutely fascinating! For me this was at its best not when we were discussing Larry David again (not that he doesn't have plenty of expertise and insight to offer) but when concepts were illustrated by a wonderfully wide-ranging list of films and TV shows (references to the Iranian film A Separation happily coexisted with wisdom mined from Adam Sandler's The Waterboy). The thoughtful variety of works cited underscores the universality of the core concepts of what makes a joke funny or a story watchable.

Anyone wanting to pursue a creative aspect of film or television production would do well to give this a close read. Those who merely find the subject interesting will find a lot to enjoy, but should feel free to skim without remorse when it starts getting very "inside".

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!"—L Gage, educator at BookWorks



“Roger Nygard is a funny man.

That is, he's a sought after editor and filmmaker, and now author, who has written an excellent book on the art, craft and business of cutting comedy; Cut To The Monkey.

And the book is funny as well as incredibly insightful. It should be on your Christmas list for sure.”—Jonny Elywn, Cut/daily.com



“Roger Nygard’s book Cut to the Monkey is like a secret weapon for filmmakers.”-
Chris Gore, Filmthreat



“This book isn’t just great. It’s essential!”-Jonny Elwyn, Cut/daily



"This book isn't just great. It's essential!"—Jonny Elwyn, Cut/daily



"Roger Nygard's book Cut to the Monkey is like a secret weapon for filmmakers."—Chris Gore, Filmthreat



"Enormously entertaining . . . . An essential read for anyone who wants to broaden their editorial horizons and comes highly recommended."—Cornelius Galen, First Frame, British Film Editors

About the Author

Roger Nygard grew up outside Minneapolis on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. At age seven he discovered his father's 8mm camera has been making comedy films ever since. Nygard has directed TV series such as The Office and The Bernie Mac Show, and he has edited Emmy-nominated episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, and Who Is America? As an award-winning filmmaker and documentarian, Nygard has tackled serious topics in a humorous way, in films like Suckers, Trekkies, The Nature of Existence, and The Truth About Marriage.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Applause (November 15, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1493061232
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1493061235
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.08 x 0.8 x 9.06 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 58 ratings

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Roger Nygard
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Roger Nygard is probably most notorious for his acclaimed documentary Trekkies, about the most obsessive fans in the universe. Nygard’s other documentary work includes Six Days in Roswell, a profile of UFO fanatics, The Nature of Existence, which investigates the world’s philosophies, religions, and belief systems, The Truth About Marriage (book and documenary), covering an even more challenging subject than existence itself, and The Comedy Store, a documentary series about the world-famous Los Angeles comedy club. Nygard has also directed television series such as The Office and The Bernie Mac Show. His work as a film editor includes Grey’s Anatomy, The League, and Emmy-nominated episodes of Who Is America?, Veep, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Nygard’s previous book is Cut to the Monkey—A Hollywood Editor’s Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Making Hit Comedies. His new book is the ultimate go-to source for documentary filmmakers, The Documentarian—The Way to a Successful and Creative Life in the Documentary Business.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
58 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and entertaining, with valuable writing advice. They describe it as comprehensive and essential reading for both editors and writers. The stories are praised for their insightful content about comedy creation. Readers mention the book is not just for comedy editors but for any storyteller.

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8 customers mention "Reading content"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and entertaining. They say it provides valuable writing advice, is essential reading for both editors and writers, and is comprehensive. The content covers basic editing techniques and practices, making it a required read for film classes. Readers also mention the book reads like a great discussion or a fun textbook.

"...There’s also a ton of valuable writing advice, which was a nice bonus, and lots of straight-to-the-point professional development advice for..." Read more

"...Honest and intertesting discussion of theory and experience working in the showbiz in the current, digital, era...." Read more

"...So, he took his expertise, fantastic stories and hard earned wisdom and put it all in this book!" Read more

"...is easily one of the most concise, personal, practical, no-BS explorations of the craft I've read. Essential reading for both editors and writers!" Read more

4 customers mention "Story quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides valuable insights into editing and comedy from a leading film editor. They appreciate the stories with well-known creators that detail their intuitive processes. The book is not only for comedy editors but also for storytellers, as it offers real-world secrets and practical advice.

"This book is not just for comedy editors, it’s for any storyteller. It should be required reading for every film class...." Read more

"...So, he took his expertise, fantastic stories and hard earned wisdom and put it all in this book!" Read more

"A lot of stories with famous comedy creators that boils down to their intuitive processes. Some content on basic editing technique/practices...." Read more

"An in depth book from one of the best film editors in the world. Real world secrets revealed. To be studied by all filmmakers." Read more

If you write, act or edit comedy, read this book!
5 out of 5 stars
If you write, act or edit comedy, read this book!
Finally a book about editing AND comedy, both of which are an art. Stand up guy Roger Nygard has spent decades in Hollywood (and it's a tough town) honing his craft as a film editor and comedy guru, working with the best of the best. So, he took his expertise, fantastic stories and hard earned wisdom and put it all in this book!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
    This book is not just for comedy editors, it’s for any storyteller. It should be required reading for every film class. There’s also a ton of valuable writing advice, which was a nice bonus, and lots of straight-to-the-point professional development advice for breaking into the film industry. It’s also just a lot of fun to pull back the curtain if you’re a fan of shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, or the Monty Python films.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2024
    Loved it.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
    Really a great Hollywood BTS book in an important area without a lot of current content: editing.

    A guy giving the pro view of editing and production--especially of comedy--by a working pro on big hit shows you know.

    Honest and intertesting discussion of theory and experience working in the showbiz in the current, digital, era.

    Reads like a great discussion or maybe a "fun textbook", really enjoyable.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2022
    Finally a book about editing AND comedy, both of which are an art. Stand up guy Roger Nygard has spent decades in Hollywood (and it's a tough town) honing his craft as a film editor and comedy guru, working with the best of the best. So, he took his expertise, fantastic stories and hard earned wisdom and put it all in this book!
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you write, act or edit comedy, read this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2022
    Finally a book about editing AND comedy, both of which are an art. Stand up guy Roger Nygard has spent decades in Hollywood (and it's a tough town) honing his craft as a film editor and comedy guru, working with the best of the best. So, he took his expertise, fantastic stories and hard earned wisdom and put it all in this book!
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Customer image
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2022
    One of the best guides to storytelling I've read, and I'm a junkie for that genre. I've been a screenwriter for years and covered the waterfront with the McKees, Fields, Voglers. Snyders etc. Cut to the Monkey is easily one of the most concise, personal, practical, no-BS explorations of the craft I've read. Essential reading for both editors and writers!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
    Watched a video interview on YouTube, and convinced me to get the book. So far, is very informative and engaging. The guy's resume is proof he knows what he's talking about. A+
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2022
    If you want to know what it takes to make it in show business. Or in life itself. Brilliantly incisive, full of insights and genuine knowledge, Roger Nygard’s accomplishment here is nothing less than transcendent!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2022
    A lot of stories with famous comedy creators that boils down to their intuitive processes. Some content on basic editing technique/practices. If you have reasonable experience editing narratives on NLE systems, I would save the money.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente lectura
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 12, 2022
    Si hay algo un tanto complicado o complejo de enseñar, es la edición. Y éste libro contiene esos consejos que ayudan a comprender el sentido del ritmo y del montaje en general.
    Como punto de partida, es excelente.