Constructing and Writing Stand Up Material Page 2

Quote: Griff @ October 3 2008, 5:36 PM BST

Well, those things might apply to all comedy, but they're also the biggest mistakes I've seen made in open spots. Also, as far as the question "does anyone have any tips on constructing and watching standup" goes, I would say they were slightly less vague than "f**k off and watch a DVD". But still. Mike can read the posts and decide what's useful for himself.

Now, go f**k yourself. I'm off to the pub.

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Don't be so f**king tiresome.

Your local must be delighted - you're the best bitter they've got.

Quote: Griff @ October 3 2008, 5:36 PM BST

He wasn't asking about format, dickwit, he was asking about how to construct a routine.

Now, go f**k yourself. I'm off to the pub.

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I was replying to Leevil, brains.

The "bitter" joke was good the first few times, but you need a new one now.

Quote: Griff @ October 3 2008, 5:41 PM BST

The "bitter" joke was good the first few times, but you need a new one now.

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I've got plenty Griff. That's why I'm in demand.

Anyway, you were quick at the pub. Can I have a white wine spritzer and a pickled egg?

Foster's a grudge? Makes Cnider remarks? Bullmers himself? Gin and ironic?

Right to move on from Griff's ridiculous interlude.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frank-Skinner-Road-Stand-up-Comedy/dp/1844131904/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223052345&sr=8-2

Frank Skinner's new book about going back on the road - writing material, testing it out etc.

Next on my shopping list.

Get used to failure. You can do a cracking gig one week, then the next you perform exactly the same material, delivered just as well, and die on your arse. It's a fairly masochistic job, generally. I did it on and off for 4 years before I realised I really was never going to be very good at it. My only other advice is when you start doing it, really take it seriously. Do as many gigs as you can, wherever you can get them, in the first six months. Try to have a really solid 10-20 mins of material which works by the end of this period. And finding your style of delivery is as important as your material. Best of luck.

Don Ward, owner of The Comedy Store, said to me after my second gig that it takes seven years to become a stand-up comedian. It was a good gig and I think he was meaning to be encouraging, at the time it felt like he was saying you've got a long way to go. which I suppose he was in a way.

It's quite a struggle, but it's probably the most rewarding job on the planet if you're any good at it.

as for tips on writing... erm, be funny, practice out loud and rewrite. read some books, watch live comedy - not open mike acts - and get on stage. You will storm it and you will die on your hole. Take something positive from each gig and keep building.

I don;t think it's realistic to have a great 10-20 mins after six months. Maybe a good 10mins. but take it day at a time, a line at a time... and good luck to you.

good luck.

On October 21 this year I'll have been doing stand-up for seven years.

you're only as good as your next gig.

Quote: Tim Walker @ October 4 2008, 4:10 PM BST

And finding your style of delivery is as important as your material.

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If not more important. There are loads of really funny comedians out there, but if you read their material off the page it would seem crap. So much of it is about the persona and how they control the audience. Look at early stuff by people like Jo Brand, Jack Dee and Frankie Boyle and compare it to them now - they've adapted their styles of delivery and become better comedians as a result.

Quote: jdubya @ October 6 2008, 1:24 AM BST

I don;t think it's realistic to have a great 10-20 mins after six months. Maybe a good 10mins. but take it day at a time, a line at a time... and good luck to you.

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Don't feel it's unrealistic at all. I had my "routine" 10/20 mins after 6 months. Not saying I was ever going to be great, but I had gigs when I went down better than some (now) well-known names. I was never going to be a great stand-up but I knew what I was doing to an extent. Congrats on 7 years at it, by the way.

Probably the most important question to always ask yourself (about whatever you're doing) is why you want to do it in the first place? Do you really want to schlepp around the country performing to (often) uncaring wankers to try and make them laugh. If yes, then great. But all of us have stories of turning-up after driving a long way to perform in front of a bunch of disinterested, rude idiots. If you're prepared for that, then great. But good luck, seriously.

Quote: Tim Walker @ October 6 2008, 1:37 AM BST

Probably the most important question to always ask yourself (about whatever you're doing) is why you want to do it in the first place?

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Indeed, 100%

Quote: jdubya @ October 6 2008, 1:40 AM BST

Indeed, 100%

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I particulary remember doing a gig in Tonbridge Wells. I had driven all the way down there after a long day at medical school. It was a new 'comedy club' in a pub and it was a proper paid gig. (I remember a young Milton Jones was on the same bill as me.) It was in the days before comedy venues were everywhere. There was me and Milton and another guy, plus the MC. Hardly any f**ker in the pub. Then it dawned on us it was the same night that Princess Di was giving her Panorama interview. Great night to launch a comedy venue. (Milton was very funny, of course, despite the lack of audience - 3 old alcoholics.)