Stand Up Comedy: Things You Learn the Hard Way |
Dang.It's true what Jay Sankey says in Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy,You know how you thought you knew it all by your fifth set and then realized you know nothing? Well that same dance tend...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 06:50:00 PST |
Organic Comedy Writing vs. Written Formulas |
We had a good workshop with San Francisco Comedy College teacher Kurtis Matthews on Saturday.Among other things, he touched on two different types of comedy writing.1. Written: Starting formula-based,...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:40:00 PST |
Stand Up Comedy Tip: The Importance of Having Fun |
Yeah, funny I'd have to remind you of this. Or write it so I'll remember it again later.In Comedian, someone said to Jerry Seinfeld after one of his sets, "You looked like you were having fun up ther...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:38:00 PST |
Comedy Writing: Verbal Tricks |
Some of the books on how to write comedy talk about techniques like reverses, triplets, and crap (note I couldn't think of a third one but I had to make a triplet out of it).Many books talk about punc...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:40:00 PST |
First Time: Tips for your first Stand-up Comedy Set |
I can tell you what made it easier for me, and what I've seen other newbies do that you might want to avoid...Go watch some open mic's first. This is the most important thing you can do. Don't walk in...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:38:00 PST |
Obstacles in Learning to Become a Stand up Comedian |
Seinfeld said "Comedy is weird. The first time you get up to do it they introduce you as a comedian and you have no idea what you're doing."Here are some obstacles I've encountered and overcome at lea...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:36:00 PST |
Comedy Writing is Rewriting: Seinfeld? |
Did Seinfeld say this? Comedy isn't written, it's rewritten? Provide me with the source if you have it.That's the truth about all writing. Writing is editing, or rewriting. Also see Strunk & Whi...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:37:00 PST |
comedy writing secret 3 |
I probably should have told you this sooner....You need to write everything down.EVERYTHING.I don't just mean jokes. I mean all your ideas, memories, dreams, etc.Because even if you don't have a compl...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:36:00 PST |
Stand Up Comedy Writing Secret 1 |
What you write on the page may look or read funny on the page, but that doesn't mean it's going to get laughs on the stage.That kinda rhymes, doesn't it? Let's reduce it to a memorable phrase:What's ...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:35:00 PST |
comedy writing secret 2 |
Dang where's comedy writing secret 1?I haven't written it yet, but I know what it is.It's a secret.Ok, now I'll stop messing with you.The Step-by-step guide to how to write comedy: Oh wait that's sec...
Posted by Comedian for Hire Brian Carter on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:34:00 PST |
