You've been the class clown since kindergarten and can always make your friends laugh at parties. Because of this, you're aware that a career in stand-up comedy (solo comedy performances standing in front of a microphone) might be worth trying. Unfortunately, being a stand-up comedian is not as easy as one might think. To be successful in this career is very difficult. However, if it works, you can share your laughs with people at the end of the country, or even the world.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Writing Jokes
Step 1. Write down the proper setup
Setup builds on the premise of your joke. This section provides background information on the joke so the audience can understand it. Your setup should be clear and to the point.
- The setup should build your punchline (“explosion” of the joke). If you go off topic, the audience won't understand where your joke is.
- An example of a classic setup would be: a priest, chaplain, and rabbi walk into a bar.
Step 2. Write down the punchline
The punchline is the laughing stock of a joke. An effective punchline usually has a twist that makes the audience laugh. The punchline should be an unexpected conclusion to the joke setup.
This joke by Jay Leno has a clever punchline: Nine out of ten doctors agree. One in ten doctors is an idiot
Step 3. Write down the tag
The tag is an additional punchline after the initial punchline. Take advantage of tags to invite more laughter from your audience. Tags can build on the initial punchline or take a completely different direction.
- Mitch Hedberg is a champion at adding tags to his jokes. Some of his jokes can have up to nine tags.
- Here's an example: I called the hotel operator and he said, “How can I direct your call?” I answered, “You can say action ! And I'll start calling. (punchline) And when I say goodbye, you have to shout cut!" (tags)
Step 4. Broaden your horizons
Pay attention to the hottest news today. Recent events can make for good, easy-to-understand jokes. Always monitor the current political situation. Comedians like Jon Stewart and Bill Maher have focused their entire careers on political humor.
- Will Ferrell became a big star in Hollywood in large part thanks to the funny George W. Bush impression he made.
- Here's an example of a Jon Stewart joke he made after Dick Cheney accidentally shot a friend on a hunting trip: I'm not just a Jon Stewart, I'm a concerned parent too. So, to the mothers and fathers who are currently watching, do not allow your child to hunt with the Vice President.
Step 5. Write down joke ideas every day
Take some time to write your joke ideas. Always keep your eyes and ears open. Good joke inspiration comes from anywhere. You should always have a pen and paper with you.
Get out of the house. You need to experience a lot to be able to write it down
Part 2 of 3: Creating a Solid Routine
Step 1. Practice delivery
Effective comedic delivery is highly dependent on timing. Know when it's time to crack a joke, and when to be quiet. You should insert a short pause before delivering the punchline to build audience anticipation. Give the audience time to laugh before moving on to the next joke.
- If you continue too quickly, you can stop the audience from laughing.
- Johnny Carson's comedy routine is usually done by holding an envelope containing a question to his forehead. He will give the answer first. Then, he will open the envelope slowly with the drum roller to build anticipation before revealing his question (punchline).
Step 2. Create an introduction
You need an introductory sentence to grab the audience's attention and make him laugh. The introduction should be a prepared sentence that introduces you as a comedian. For example, here's Daniel Tosh's introduction to South Beach, “Of all the cities I've visited to perform, this is number three favorite,” which immediately introduces his trademark sarcasm humor.
- An example of a classic introduction would be: "I just got here and my arms are tired."
- Try not to use a mocking introduction. You want the audience to like you.
Step 3. Practice your routine
Perfect your routine. Practice until your routine can be delivered without thinking. Repeat your routine in front of the mirror so you can see which parts are funny and which parts need to be discarded.
Keep editing and rearranging your routine until you're satisfied and confident with the results
Step 4. Record your routine
Record yourself doing your routine. Watch a few times to make sure you can convey the punchline effectively. A good routine should invite 4-6 laughs per minute. Take a timer and set every minute of your routine to have at least 4 punchlines or tags.
Show your recordings to friends to ask their opinion
Part 3 of 3: Performing a Stand-Up Comedy Show
Step 1. Get on stage
You will be very nervous in the first few shows and the results may be quite bad. Don't be afraid to fail because that's most likely what will happen. Head to every open mic spot available to get rid of stage fright as quickly as possible and perfect your material.
- The only way to build a great stage persona is through a lot of experience on stage.
- Even a Jerry Seinfeld failed his first show. Of the incident, he said, "I stood there stiffly for 30 seconds, speechless, just standing there terrified."
Step 2. Make yourself easy to understand
For viewers to understand your humor, they need to see it from your point of view. Think of the routine as a conversation with the audience rather than a performance.
- relax. If you are nervous, it will be difficult to build a relationship with the audience.
- Talk to the audience, not to them.
Step 3. Interact with the audience
Including the audience as part of the show is great for building a relationship with them. You can talk to the audience to go from one joke to another.
- Robin Williams is king in interacting with the audience. In one of his routines, he borrows a woman's coat, puts it on, and pretends to be one of the spectators. Then, he borrowed another woman's fur coat, put it on, and said "Right now, there are many animals complaining and saying: ouch, it's cold!"
- Try not to make other people feel uncomfortable. Some people don't like being the center of attention. If you see your chosen one feels uncomfortable being exposed, find someone else.
Step 4. Build a stage persona
The development of this stage persona took years. The stage persona will be the color of every joke you tell. Rodney Dangerfield is the "sweet loser" that everyone can easily understand. After all his jokes, he'll say "I get no respect". Over time, you will develop a stage persona that is unique to your personality.
Stage personas are the reason audiences come to comedians' shows
Tips
- Be patient. It takes a minimum of 3 years to break into this industry.
- Keep your job. All entertainment careers require substantial capital and your investment may not pay off for several years.
- Love your fans. Try to get to know them after each show.
Warning
- There are many comedians who are more experienced than you. Try not to compare your career to theirs and get discouraged.
- Be resilient. Chances are you will fail the first few gigs. You could even be booed by a brutal onlooker.
