writing
Primarily a screenwriter, Kai Swanson has recently expanded their craft to include film reviews, leveraging industry knowledge to offer insightful critiques. Additionally, they are authoring academic articles on various global film and television industry topics. Their forthcoming book, Behind the Laughter: History, Writing, and the Production of American Comedy, is set to be released by Kendall Hunt Publishing in August 2025.
Kai holds an MA in Folklore from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MFA in Film & Video Production from the University of Iowa. Their academic background and practical industry experience provide a profound understanding of cultural narratives and cinematic techniques.
Released by Kendall Hunt Publishing in August 2025, Behind the Laughter: History, Writing, and the Production of American Comedy explores the democratization of American comedy production through technology accessibility. Aimed at courses in Comedy History, Writing, and Production, this textbook transcends the academic mold to uncover American comedy's rich influences and history, the craft of writing comedy for stand-up and sketches, and the intricacies of running an inclusive production that embraces improvisation.
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The book is divided into three pivotal sections: a historical overview tracing how technology impacted the democratization of American comedy from ancient times to the digital age; a comprehensive guide to the anatomy of jokes, standup sets, sketches, and comedic shorts; and an exploration of running an inclusive production open to improvisation. Behind the Laughter serves as both a scholarly resource and a practical guide, empowering readers to integrate these insights into their own creative endeavors, whether in stand-up, sketches, cinematic shorts, or everyday interactions.
With a background in writing, directing, and producing, and a foundation in global cinema theory, history, and industry studies, I write reviews that bridge the past and present of film. As a contributor to MovieWeb, I write about everything from overlooked classics to buzzy new releases, exploring the themes that make them resonate today.
I’m always seeking fresh voices and emerging filmmakers—indie projects and short films are where some of the most exciting stories to explore. If you’d like me to review your film, drop me a line at swansonkai0@gmail.com
