How To: Become a Stand-up Comedian

You sure are funny. That’s what everyone says. But there is a big difference between little people big world laughing until they drop and actually living to stand. -up comedian

Good jokes are not enough. To have success in standing comedy, you have to be tenacious and persistent, sometimes for years, before getting it right.

Jay Davis, from the HBO Tourgasm list, says on the HBO website: “You don’t even know you’re growing up, but I think it takes 10 years to become a comedian. It’s something you do constantly, and it takes so many times on stage.

Here are some tips to get you started.

Learn from others

Writers say – if you want to write, you must read. The same is true of stand-up comedy. If you want to perform, you have to watch the performances of other comedians.

It is not an idea to imitate them. We need your style and your presence in the shows. But you can watch other comedians to see what they’re doing wrong and what they’re doing right.

Choose comedians who have a similar style to those you admire. See how they connect with the audience behind the joke bombs. See how they handle the hecklers. They try to choose the modules of their delivery.

A good place to start is Comedy Central. The network regularly airs “Comedy Central Specials”. Check out “Stand Nation with Greg Giraldo” on Friday nights to see comedians who are still on their way. And go to Netflix or video stores to rip DVDs of some of your favorite comics.

Do your homework

Read some stand up comedy books to get a real idea of ​​how to craft your content and what the business is like. A good place to start is “The Comedy Bible” by Judy Carter. You can’t learn to be funny from a book, or at all if you don’t have the talent to begin with, but it makes a great job to break down skills. joking and explaining steps to advance the course of life.

You may also want to see the documentary “The Comedian” with Jerry Seinfeld. He showed some difficulties in reviving his career after the end of the long-running TV sitcom.

And consider certain types. You will be able to work on lion and birth and refine your material with other professionals. As with anything, buyer beware is but there are many good comedy workshops and coaches available, including Carter and comedian Neil Leiberman.

Finally, I’d recommend the “Fi a Stand-up Comic” e-book by FabJob.com. The publisher is known for producing excellent guides for people trying to break into a new career.

Exercise, use, use

You studied hard, researched the business, and worked on your material. Now we have to see how it flies with the audience. By all means, try your jokes on your friends, especially the brutally honest ones, but you should also try them on people who don’t feel like holding back a laugh.

Many local nightclubs and bars have live music nights. For them, even if it means having to wait in line after reading poetry and hippie chicks with her acoustic guitars a >. It’s usually only two to three minutes onstage, so be prepared – with five or ten minutes of material. You never know when you might be able to skip through some of the jokes or be asked to go.

try comedy clubs. Depending on where you live, you might be able to drive to one, but it will be worth it. Most clubs allow new comedians who are funny – and can prove it – to perform a three to five minute set at the beginning of the evening. Just don’t expect to get paid. If you’re lucky, you might have a drink or two on the house. The real payoff will come from experience and exposure.

Go to work

If you’re funny enough, and you’re a professional who shows up on time, comes prepared with enough material and doesn’t make unreasonable demands, you’ll get the job.

That could mean regular gigs at comedy clubs, on cruise ships, or, don’t you believe it, doing shows at corporate shows. Companies regularly hire comedians to entertain at meetings, retreats and luncheons.

Most of all, bear This is going to happen.

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