Date: 21 April 2012
Venue: The Spot Cafe.
An experiment.
hypothesis: if I read this unintentionally disturbing kids book, it will be funny.
methods: reading the book in front of this audience
results: not a lot of laughter
analysis and conclusion:
I really wanted to see what would happen. And in my defense, the first two things I said (which weren't related to the book at all) killed. Explosive amounts of laughter. Could I have just went with that energy and saw where it went? Maybe. And that, too would have been an experiment of just straight up winging it.
But there's a method to my madness. And I realize that I could re-conceptualize it, and make it work. And I have reconceptualized it. But I'm not going to debut the revamp of this for another month. Give it time to percolate.
But those first two lines, man. God damn I can be a funny man.
Showing posts with label Lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lessons. Show all posts
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, May 9, 2011
Open mic 23 (for real)
Date: 6 May, 2011
Venue: Silverlake lounge
I did pretty good. A lot of people didn't show up, so we got longer sets (4 minutes!).
However, I'm going to give a tip to all aspiring comics doing Standup for their first time.
If this is your first time on stage, you will need to learn about "The light". This is the signal given to tell you that it's nearing the end of your set, generally it means you have one minute left. Sometimes there will be a second light that means "you're done, finish up and go". Some clubs are a little lax about going over your time, some clubs are strict to the point where you won't be allowed to perform again if you go over time.
The other thing is that the stage lighting on stage is bright. Really bright. You probably won't be able to see "The light" unless you know to look for it. So if you're not careful, your first time you run the risk of going over time by a lot. Don't let this happen to you. We know you probably don't mean to be rude by going over time, but it's not something you want to do even accidentally.
Bring up a cell phone or watch: anything with a really visible time display on it. Check it periodically, if you haven't practiced your jokes before. Its okay if you go short, but its not okay if you go over time by too much. One of the best ways to get on an MCs bad side is to be known as the person who goes over time.
Venue: Silverlake lounge
I did pretty good. A lot of people didn't show up, so we got longer sets (4 minutes!).
However, I'm going to give a tip to all aspiring comics doing Standup for their first time.
If this is your first time on stage, you will need to learn about "The light". This is the signal given to tell you that it's nearing the end of your set, generally it means you have one minute left. Sometimes there will be a second light that means "you're done, finish up and go". Some clubs are a little lax about going over your time, some clubs are strict to the point where you won't be allowed to perform again if you go over time.
The other thing is that the stage lighting on stage is bright. Really bright. You probably won't be able to see "The light" unless you know to look for it. So if you're not careful, your first time you run the risk of going over time by a lot. Don't let this happen to you. We know you probably don't mean to be rude by going over time, but it's not something you want to do even accidentally.
Bring up a cell phone or watch: anything with a really visible time display on it. Check it periodically, if you haven't practiced your jokes before. Its okay if you go short, but its not okay if you go over time by too much. One of the best ways to get on an MCs bad side is to be known as the person who goes over time.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Open mic 22 (for real)
Date: 4 May, 2011
Venue: The Spot Cafe
I'm starting to get better at my material. I'm starting to have more consistency in my jokes and between my sets. I'll post a set that I feel comfortable with sharing soon.
So instead of talking about me, I'm going to share a lesson with y'all. This set, there was a performer who came out and during her set said "I'm not going to be as funny as the last guy". Big mistake.
Never plead incompetence. You can say 'this is my first time' but don't start from a position of weakness. In open mics, there is always a section of the audience that is looking for an excuse to not pay attention to you. Don't give it to them.
You have to turn everything into a position of strength. I'm awkward, skinny and I'm still not fully comfortable on stage, but I acknowledge that and turn it into a strength. You always want to acknowledge these sorts of things because it means you don't have to fight the audience. People go by first impressions, so once you accept that, you can use it.
I'm skinny. If I go out on stage saying things about how I'm not actually skinny, the audience isn't going to buy it. Which gives them a reason to not listen to me.
It gets back to "yes and". Yes, I'm a dork AND I'm so much of a dork that I can even make a leather jacket inhabited by the spirit of James Dean look uncool. Or, Yes I'm a dork AND it amazes me that the only time I'm not a dork is when I'm talking to people at taco bell. You start with ideas like that. You acknowledge something about yourself and then you either build on that idea, or you transform it and add information.
Venue: The Spot Cafe
I'm starting to get better at my material. I'm starting to have more consistency in my jokes and between my sets. I'll post a set that I feel comfortable with sharing soon.
So instead of talking about me, I'm going to share a lesson with y'all. This set, there was a performer who came out and during her set said "I'm not going to be as funny as the last guy". Big mistake.
Never plead incompetence. You can say 'this is my first time' but don't start from a position of weakness. In open mics, there is always a section of the audience that is looking for an excuse to not pay attention to you. Don't give it to them.
You have to turn everything into a position of strength. I'm awkward, skinny and I'm still not fully comfortable on stage, but I acknowledge that and turn it into a strength. You always want to acknowledge these sorts of things because it means you don't have to fight the audience. People go by first impressions, so once you accept that, you can use it.
I'm skinny. If I go out on stage saying things about how I'm not actually skinny, the audience isn't going to buy it. Which gives them a reason to not listen to me.
It gets back to "yes and". Yes, I'm a dork AND I'm so much of a dork that I can even make a leather jacket inhabited by the spirit of James Dean look uncool. Or, Yes I'm a dork AND it amazes me that the only time I'm not a dork is when I'm talking to people at taco bell. You start with ideas like that. You acknowledge something about yourself and then you either build on that idea, or you transform it and add information.
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