Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

I spend ages writing jokes for a stand up gig. It was no laughing matter.

[NYCBlue]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

I went to an open mic last night. Don't use a mobile phone. If you're going to tell a story, have a big ending. Be prepared for complete silence.

[StraightOuttaCanton]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

I’d say definitely don’t do a 5 minute story. Just personal preference but short and snappy is funnier imo.

Also you need to be both a good storyteller and have a good enough story to keep people interested and not thinking “skip to the punchline”.

Good luck, hope it goes well.

Why not start with…. I’m a Cardiff City fan and a member of a fans messageboard… Let me tell you about some of the characters… you’d probably have enough material for 2 hours of stand up 🤣

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

I’d do the 5 minute story but plan in a couple of spin off gags before you get to the punch line, if there is one that is. If your story is good enough it may not even need a punchline.

I’ll happily sponsor you but would you be willing to share a video recording of your set in return?

I agree, the point made earlier about how long five minutes is under circumstances like this seems a good one and so it seems to make sense that if you think you have a story you can spin out for that long, then go with that with a a few of your own jokes thrown in to keep it flowing.

I should say mind that my personal experience and expertise when it comes to stand up amounts to a big, fat zero.

[mrbluejay]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

Greg James as in radio 1? But he's not funny?

Greg Davies, the massive guy that does Taskmaster :hehe:

[WJ99mobile]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

I listen to podcasts of comedians all day long.

They say just get up there and keep doing it even when you bomb.

A trainer will train you in the way they think is funny but might not be you. It’s like a degree in entrepreneurship.

Love Glee down the bay too it’s a brilliant venue.

[lardy]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

Make sure you do research to see what audiences want, like and expect nowadays, whether it's on telly, YouTube, Netflix or live.

A lot of it is in delivery and performance, so I don't mean this to sound harsh as I've only seen it written down, but the punchline of that story probably isn't enough of a surprise to cut it on stage, even if it slays people down the pub. If you stopped people halfway through and asked them to guess the ending, I bet most would say "the phone hadn't really been stolen"

EDIT: having said that, the point of the course is to make your material good enough for performance on stage, I guess.

[lardy]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

I'm hoping they allow me too mate. I've been to the glee in the past and no video recording equipment allowed but as I'm the one on stage I'm hoping I get a keepsake of the night obviously.

I had a friend who did something similar and he posted the final video on Facebook so you might be alright.

[cityhammer]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

Done a few gigs, between 8 and 15 minutes in length. Great feeling, but scary before you do it. Didnt tell gags as such, just my twist on real life really, seemed more natural.

[Re-sign Carl Dale]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

What an opportunity - would definitely go for a story (or two) rather than a string of gags and puns.

Is the event open to the public?

[Vindec]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

Confessions of a taxi driver are likely to be far funnier than home made jokes which the writer might find amusing but the audience don't. Good luck!

[uncle bob]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

What an opportunity - would definitely go for a story (or two) rather than a string of gags and puns.

Is the event open to the public?

Try this anyone that's interested.

https://facebook.com/events/s/virtual-registration-meeting/1330849237415338/

[Sunnysideup]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

I was best man at wedding and had to give a speech infront of 400 guests
I was bricking it for weeks but it went ever so well
Guests coming up to me at the bar afterwards congratulating me
My advice would be one main story with a great punchline - everyone was weak with laughter and a few spin off shorter stories that tie into the main joke
I also started by bringing a duffel bag from under the table from which I brought out props and placed them infront of me after showing each one to the room
The props had everyone guessing plus they all meant something to each story which helps you keep your train of thought

Good luck Bob

[UNDERHILL1927]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

I think the taxi driver stories will be a winner. People like comedy they can relate to and that’s a good start.

[Bozza64]

Re: Anyone ever done stand up comedy properly? Advice

I have done it a few times, pick out someone in the audience and pounce on them when they move or do anything, do it a few times and then say i forgot where i was with that story now always wastes time that