On Performing Comedy

Hi Thrill-seekers
A few weeks back I hosted a comedy talent night in Sydney and got me thinking about some of the mistakes people make when starting stand up. Some of the contestants were brilliant and charming, some were just awful.
I've done comedy workshops in the past and though some people might say you can't teach humour you can certainly teach the craft of comedy which like any art form has it's rules and standards.
Here are some of the mistakes I saw and thought I'd pass them on to you.

1. Notes in hand.
If you can't do a five minute routine without notes pack up and go home now. The average Comedy Festival show is fifty minutes, that's a collection of ten five minute routines without improvising or playing off the audience.

2. Keep reworking your material,
yes I know I have gags old enough to vote at the next election but they are like my babies and never fail, they are the ones that are hard to let go. The hardest routine to write is your second one because you carry the first like a security blanket that you know is always there.
Some comedians are obsessed with not doing material more then a few times in their city but remember that your material, like a musicians songs, can be played all over the world either live or recorded. Put your material to sleep on CD or DVD.

3. One of the comics on the night had had "a few drinks' before going on stage and, unnecessarily told the audience. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in most jobs, make it in this job too.
Now, you might then reel off names like Lenny Bruce, John Belushi (read Wired) Bill Hicks and other geniuses of comedy. I didn't reel off some of the ones I know personally who I consider geniuses and have seen on occasion stumble on to the stage to protect the guilty.
Bottom line is I prefer my geniuses alive and consistent. The audience pays to see you being brilliant not foggy.

4. Know your subject, specially when talking about news and nationalities.

5. Look out for this line "I love women, don't get me wrong.... but you chics!" Then go on to do derogatory jokes about women. Or "I'm not racist, I love you Muslims but..." and so on.

Lastly when new comics ask me about performing I usually tell them to look up public speaking websites as this is essentially what we do, storytellers with punchlines, though some of the greatest comics don't have punchlines and are simply great storytellers.

If you see yourself as a storyteller you will be closer to seeing your material as a gift to be shared with the audience rather than a collection of punchlines that need reassuring laughter at every pause.

6.
Develop you own style
Some of the people I've seen lately that could read the phone book and still keep me entertained are people like Tom Gleeson, Kal Wilson and Colin Cameron, maybe I'm not into rock and roll comedy but they are great storytellers and can charm the pants off any audience.
I also want to mention Tim Minchin and Eddie Perfect because a lot of new comics narrow themselves into straight stand-up with out exploring other forms such as music, character or physical comedy. And remember that if you develop a show that trancends language you can work anywhere.... anywhere.


I found the following tips at Toastmasters.com and can all be applied to a comedy set.

Cheers people, love to hear your feedback




10 Tips For Successful Public Speaking

Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. But, too much nervousness can be detrimental. Here's how you can control your nervousness and make effective, memorable presentations:

1. Know the room. Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.

2. Know the audience. Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.

3. Know your material. If you're not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary.

4. Relax. Ease tension by doing exercises.

5. Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful.

6. Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don't want you to fail.

7. Don't apologize. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience's attention to something they hadn't noticed. Keep silent.

8. Concentrate on the message -- not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.

9. Turn nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.

10. Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking.