Due to technical mix up while editing I decided to upload without the clips of each comedian. All the techniques are still explained. I just wasn't prepared to work on it anymore cause life is simply too short. Enjoy.
I loved the video! Also, can you give me some advice? Because I'd performed 6-7 times now, but I cannot tell a story to save my life (not just on stage) and I often use puns, which is good, but they don't really tie in and create a compehensible set, instead they're just like puns vaugely related said after one another. I like to say I have sitcom humour rather than stand-up humour, because I can come up with a snappy response on the fly, but those stories are usually not funny when told later. And I can do impressions (more or less) just of people in my life (like teachers, parents) so that's only funny to those who know them. Overall, I'm really struggling to write sets and even if I manage to come up with a good five minutes, I get so anxious, I reword the jokes and they don't work anymore. I know practice is key, but do you have any other tips?
Hi. Thanks for commenting. Wow, there's alot there. I've broken down your comment into sections and will do my best to address each of them. Here it goes. 1. I cannot tell a story to save my life (not just on stage) - It's perfectly fine not to tell stories. If it's not where you feel comforable then do other styles. If telling stories is something you feel you need to improve on for progression then start small. Take some of your puns or shorter jokes and add just a slight humorous expaination after the punch line, or give them a little backround detail before it. 2. Puns don't really tie in and create a compehensible set. - Transitioning between material doesn't need to make sense. Usually comics will go to great lenght to make it be comprehensible but it's not nesecary. Perhaps you could talk about how your mind works, that you're just too 'all over the place' to make it connect. Perhaps it's the chaos that is your weapon. The audience doesn't know what the hell is coming next and quite frankly...neither do you. There's lots of room to play here if you choose to be honest about your limitations. 3. I can come up with a snappy response on the fly, but those stories are usually not funny when told later. - Telling stories to an audience about something that has happened to us is tricky. There needs to be a good deal of exaggeration. Sure, it's great to keep it honest and explain exactly what took place. But the truth is, real life just isn't all that amazing when told to strangers. Your job is to entertain them, so lie. Take your true story and see where you can exaggerate it beyond recognizable. Describe who the people are who took part in the experience. Lie about them, give them crazy believes, ideas and looks. The more you can 'stop off' while on your way to making a point the better. 4. I can do impressions (more or less) just of people in my life (like teachers, parents) so that's only funny to those who know them. - Much like the previous point. Once you exaggerate and are clearly coming from a creative and fun place you'll also naturally also start to exaggerate while doing your impressions. I don't believe it matters that they don't know the people. Stick at it, I get loads of momentum impersonating my family members onstage. A lot of fun. 5. I'm really struggling to write sets. I get so anxious, I reword the jokes and they don't work anymore. - I feel you might be overthinking the funny. You've only started your journey. When new comics ask me if there is one piece of advice I can give them I always have the same answer. Don't focus too much on killing it with the jokes. Being funny will come over time from being consistent with writing and performing. At the beginning it's really important to focus on, what I would consider, more important things. Such as getting used to talking to an audience. I mean, really getting used to it. Not just getting through your material and getting off the stage. Looking at the audience and taking your time to be with them. Experiencing talking into a mic. Paying attention to the focus and energy in the room. Is it good, bad? Figuring out the signs of a good crown and a bad crowd. Who in the crowd is liking your material and energy and focusing more attention on those people and spreading that energy to sections of the room that might need it. There's so much to consider outside of just the jokes. Take in every moment you can and don't be too hard on yourself so early. It's great that you have high standard, but it shouldn't stand in the way of having a good time and experiencing every amazing aspect of what you're doing up there. I hope that has helped a bit.
I wondered if you had any videos on how to survive a gong show? It is friendly people and good spirited but I'm a bit nervous and wondered if you'd done any videos on this? I have almost 8 weeks to prepare but I thought I'd ask if you'd done any videos on this? Thanks again for what you do! x
Really appreciate you supporting the channel. Really means allot. Regarding Gong Shows. I've only ever done one. I did make a video on it a few years back but unfortunately I deleted it when I updated the channel. In short, I think they're a waste of time. BUT, I'd never tell people not to do any sort of performance. Stage time is stage time after all. There are comics who do very well on Gong shows, however I'd urge those comics to push themselves on other stages and they'd go even further. End of the day, it's up to you. Depending on the type of audience it could be harmful to your progression. I feel at Gong shows, you not performing in front of an audience who loves comedy, instead, it gets a crowd out for blood. This is only based on my experience and as I've said before, I know lots who love them. Let us know how you get on if you do decide to give it a go.
@@ComedyBee Yeah I was aware of that. Also, I realised while trying to fix the issue that I was really only doing it for a broader reach, but the people who need clips of the comics aren't going to watch me ranting to the camera so they won't stick around anyway. Better off just sticking to what's working at the moment.
If you have to explain it then its not really comedy and besides that the only ones that laughs at their jokes are either a room full of people who are easily amused and will laugh at virtually everything anyway or its laugh tracks.
