Stand Up Comedy Course
Discussion
Tiggsy, I have to say thank you very much. That was a lot of words you put down there for a bloke you don't know on an internet forum. A good deal of you have said coincides with what I have been reading on the comedy forums, so I know its good advice. That, plus your personal experience, is invaluable. So thats a genuine thank you. 
I should reiterate that I'm just doing this for a laugh - but I have heard so many people say that getting a laugh is addictive. So lets see how we do...........
I should reiterate that I'm just doing this for a laugh - but I have heard so many people say that getting a laugh is addictive. So lets see how we do...........
Tiggsy said:
Brendon Burns and Phil Jupitus reviewed my set and said "you could put him on Letterman with that set"
Wow. Talk about damning with faint praise
ETA - actually, to be serious for a moment, I've recited my own stories to a crowd of several thousands (at Beltane in Edinburgh this year if anyone was there - think we ended up with 3k at the stage, although the hill attendance was close to 10k) and you absolutely s
t yourself. Until the moment you cross the threshold and become the presenter/storyteller. Then it all just melts away and you're just talking to one entity, rather than lots of individuals.In my, humble, experience, the nerves are all about the build up.
Good luck, nonetheless, what's the worst that could happen? They're not going to blow you up
Edited by Famous Graham on Saturday 17th September 02:46
BruceV8, I hope you won't mind me mentioning this since you've brought it up yourself in other threads, but you seem to be much shorter than your average chap, which I guess would give you an advantage by making you distinctive and memorable. Most successful stand-ups seem to have some quirk, whether it's a deep-south accent or dead-pan delivery or mis-matching clothes or a wild highland beard.
I've been to one of those nights for newcomers ending a course. It was at the Komedia club in Brighton and it was a real mixed bag of performers, from the stilted and embarrassed to the surprising successful. The funniest person was a teacher who giggled infectiously all the way through, taking the audience with her. The well-lubricated crowd was overwhelmingly positive and willing them all to do well. There was no nastiness towards the performers. In that respect I imagine it was a lot like giving a best man's speech. If you've ever done one of those you'll know the exhilaration you feel as you sit down after a job well done.
I've been to one of those nights for newcomers ending a course. It was at the Komedia club in Brighton and it was a real mixed bag of performers, from the stilted and embarrassed to the surprising successful. The funniest person was a teacher who giggled infectiously all the way through, taking the audience with her. The well-lubricated crowd was overwhelmingly positive and willing them all to do well. There was no nastiness towards the performers. In that respect I imagine it was a lot like giving a best man's speech. If you've ever done one of those you'll know the exhilaration you feel as you sit down after a job well done.
A friend of mine did that ten week course. He said it was utter st and didn't focus on writing jokes at all. I.e one week go away and write a song.
He said that it wasnt of any benefit to what he wanted to acheive ( he does stand up). I think that you either have it or you don't and a course probably won't help i am afraid. Sorry.
Its hard work from what i have seen and i have been to some st places to watch with a crowd of ten people, but i wish you luck.
t and didn't focus on writing jokes at all. I.e one week go away and write a song. He said that it wasnt of any benefit to what he wanted to acheive ( he does stand up). I think that you either have it or you don't and a course probably won't help i am afraid. Sorry.
Its hard work from what i have seen and i have been to some s
t places to watch with a crowd of ten people, but i wish you luck.I never knew such things existed, fantastic!
Few years ago I entered a talent competition and did stand up got through to the finals and I did a set in front of about 2,000 people. Was the most nerve wracking thing I have ever done in my life and apparently you could see my hands shaking on stage. I did however win and got a prize of a weeks holiday among other things.
And yes it will definitly help you with women, sense of humour goes a long long way, and a lot of people think they have GSOH but really don't.
Few years ago I entered a talent competition and did stand up got through to the finals and I did a set in front of about 2,000 people. Was the most nerve wracking thing I have ever done in my life and apparently you could see my hands shaking on stage. I did however win and got a prize of a weeks holiday among other things.
And yes it will definitly help you with women, sense of humour goes a long long way, and a lot of people think they have GSOH but really don't.
Scott330ci said:
A friend of mine did that ten week course. He said it was utter st and didn't focus on writing jokes at all. I.e one week go away and write a song.
There are two types of course - ones that teach you to write material (more suited to sitcom writing and focus on structure, etc) and ones that teach stage craft.t and didn't focus on writing jokes at all. I.e one week go away and write a song. By the far the best are the stage craft ones...the course i did had NO "how to write a joke element", it focused instead on giving people the confidence to get up and relax in front of a crowd....which is very hard. It's not like a best man speech where you fall back on sincerity - people have paid for you to be funny and if you arent they'll let you know. "get off you c*** you're s
t" is not a normal best man heckle but it would be at some nasty gigs!My belief is that you either have a knack for structuring jokes/story telling or you dont....hence the stage craft/confidence part is far more important. My final set consisted of gags I wrote on day one of the course...and plenty of those made it to TV - I didnt need to be told how to say stuff funny, i needed to be shown i could!
As such, funny people get a lot out of a course and unfunny people dont. Rod Gilbert and Greg Davis did my course...so i was in good company.
If you're someone who can just jump on stage and "do it" then great, a course wont help.....but the majority find going on stage via a friendly, drawn out process of improv and stage craft skills far less scary.
Seriously, I'd suggest it to anyone - I had more fun in those 8 months than my previous 37 years combined! It just didnt pay.
Once again, my main advice would be READ SCRIPTS.
This was a revelation to me:
http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/c/chris...
I've seen that show over and over yet would never have believed how few words form the script......Rock is a master of that style but anyone can learn from the concept that you only need to say what you need to say to get to the funny. Edit, edit and then edit again!
Just to add - Rod and Greg did it years ago....they werent there last year having a refresher!
Mate of mine did a Drama Degree and an MA in Stand Up Comedy.
His stagecraft is great, but he's gone down the route of running small clubs. All seems to be coming together for him, but it certainly seems to have been a struggle until now...
There's not a lot of money in it for the talent, but can be a good living if you find a niche... Kids comedy pays well, from what I gather
His stagecraft is great, but he's gone down the route of running small clubs. All seems to be coming together for him, but it certainly seems to have been a struggle until now...
There's not a lot of money in it for the talent, but can be a good living if you find a niche... Kids comedy pays well, from what I gather
The course finished last night with the gig. I was on second to last so had to stay sober all night but from what people have said my set went down well. In fact PH's very own V8Mate was there and he said he liked it. I also got positive feedback from Helen Lederer and that Belinda Lang who were in the audience.
This was the course that I did: http://www.chris-head.com/Stand-upCourseJanuary201... I'd recommend this course to anyone with an interest in stand up comedy, even if only for the fact that you'll find out if you're any good before you launch yourself onto the circuit. For me, I had a lot of fun over ten weeks, I've learned loads and I've definitely got the bug.
This was the course that I did: http://www.chris-head.com/Stand-upCourseJanuary201... I'd recommend this course to anyone with an interest in stand up comedy, even if only for the fact that you'll find out if you're any good before you launch yourself onto the circuit. For me, I had a lot of fun over ten weeks, I've learned loads and I've definitely got the bug.
Well done, sounds like a fun experience, and glad it went well for you. Got any plans now that you're finished?
andy_s said:
You'll get only stalkers, nerds, MILFs or drunks at these things.
Which website is it again?
(badam-tish, thank fk I'm not here all week)
Why do you need to go anywhere, he's just described PH. (Yes, there's a reason I don't do comedy!)Which website is it again?
(badam-tish, thank f
k I'm not here all week)Edited by andy_s on Friday 16th September 17:46
BruceV8 said:
The course finished last night with the gig. I was on second to last so had to stay sober all night but from what people have said my set went down well. In fact PH's very own V8Mate was there and he said he liked it.
Indeed he was. And he did.Is it ok if I post this link, Bruce?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSCUsE8ErMU
Oops
V8mate said:
Indeed he was. And he did.
Is it ok if I post this link, Bruce?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSCUsE8ErMU
Oops
Very good Is it ok if I post this link, Bruce?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSCUsE8ErMU
Oops
V8mate said:
BruceV8 said:
The course finished last night with the gig. I was on second to last so had to stay sober all night but from what people have said my set went down well. In fact PH's very own V8Mate was there and he said he liked it.
Indeed he was. And he did.Is it ok if I post this link, Bruce?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSCUsE8ErMU
Oops
BTW Bruce, I was in the audience for the PH "gig" - quite a few laughs and good delivery, so best of luck getting more gigs. Will you still work on winning over the audience behind the bar at DD's? or is that a double bill with CB?
James P said:
V8, have you had problems with impersonators somewhere in the past?
BTW Bruce, I was in the audience for the PH "gig" - quite a few laughs and good delivery, so best of luck getting more gigs. Will you still work on winning over the audience behind the bar at DD's? or is that a double bill with CB?
Depends who's behind the bar JP, if it's the barmaid from last month... no fBTW Bruce, I was in the audience for the PH "gig" - quite a few laughs and good delivery, so best of luck getting more gigs. Will you still work on winning over the audience behind the bar at DD's? or is that a double bill with CB?
king way mate 
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