Comedian Can be a Great Profession
Posted on April 7, 2010
Filed Under arts and entertainment |
So, everyone at work thinks you are hilarious! People at parties always flock to you so you can tell them a new joke. In school, you won the class clown trophy and you are totally proud of it. Terrific! Now you want to learn how to make money being a Comedian. Is it time to take your funniness to a new level?
Well, maybe! Many people are funny. There are lots of people that can make you laugh. There are some inherent challenges if there is a thought of a future in Comedy. But that does not mean you cannot earn a living as a comedian. People just flat out like to laugh. However, when they pay to see you make them laugh, it is a little different story. Consider this the next time you go to a Comedy Club. How many times have you walked out and thought you could have done better?
Trust that one bad joke or story, where no one even giggles, will seem like an eternity, so be prepared for that, or you may just run off of the stage, which would actually be pretty funny! Being loud and obnoxious is also not a particularly a good plan. Be yourself and if people like that, you should be off to a good start.
Before you attempt to find a venue which will allow you to take the stage, you must have good material. Write about the things that make you laugh. Try not to think about ways to make others laugh. You will seldom entertain every patron with everything that you say. You are looking to entertain the majority. In an 8 minute set, strive to get 3 or 4 times when the audience applauds. This is a great test of your material.
By the way, telling jokes on stage is not the way to make a living in comedy. People wish to know what makes you laugh. If you can convey this to an audience, you may have a shot. Think about this. Everyone has an opinion on every topic known to man. Can you make your thoughts on various subjects funny? People are also always interested in how you manage to get through the day. But be careful here, because before they laugh, they will have to like you and that is not always as simple as it sounds.
Spend time developing your own style. There is only one Robin Williams or Richard Pryor, so become the only you. You may think that using profanity makes you funny. It DOES NOT! Funny is your interesting take on something. There will be no need for you to even try to get on stage if all you do is swear. I swear! See, that is funny!
To be able to get on stage it is necessary to have about 30 minutes of solid material. Unfortunately, the only method to be sure that you have great stuff to say, it to try it out on real people. Although your cat may think you are hilarious, paying customers may not find a hairball joke as funny as Mittens does. The thought of getting on stage must not frighten you.
Lastly, realize this. Becoming good at anything takes time. You need to have solid material and stage presence to be a successful comic. Good material will only take you so far. Being funny is an art and the people that can relate to a large share of an audience will be a success. Remember, people are paying to see you, so even one story or joke that gets no response, to you will seem like an eternity, so work on being sure that happens very infrequently. And break a leg! That is not a requirement to be a comic, but it is an entertainment term.
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