Quote: bushbaby @ May 24 2010, 2:00 PM BSTyou have to be it not act it
I sincerely hope not, my character's whole schtick is that he's trying to do stand up despite the fact that his wife's recently been abducted!
Stand up Comedy. Page 39
Quote: David Bussell @ May 24 2010, 1:46 PM BSTI'm going to try out my first character on stage this week. Does anyone who's tried their hand at a character have any tips? Do's and don'ts, that sort of thing?
The only thing I would say is make sure you stay in character and stay true to it i.e. feel free to respond to heckles but make sure you respond as the character not as you.
Quote: Tony Cowards @ May 24 2010, 2:13 PM BSTThe only thing I would say is make sure you stay in character and stay true to it i.e. feel free to respond to heckles but make sure you respond as the character not as you.
Sound advice.
While we're talking hecklers, I can't say I've ever had any trouble there. I've only done 40 gigs or so but not once has anyone given me any sass. I guess maybe that's because I'm on the open mic circuit and the audience is more forgiving. I expect things change pretty quickly once you're doing the stag/hen clubs.
Quote: David Bussell @ May 24 2010, 2:11 PM BSTI sincerely hope not, my character's whole schtick is that he's trying to do stand up despite the fact that his wife's recently been abducted!
Then you have to imagine it's you and true before you go on stage.
It's called the Stanislavski method. I trained in that way; as did Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman and if it's good enough for them; it's good enough for me and thee 
Quote: bushbaby @ May 24 2010, 3:06 PM BSTThen you have to imagine it's you and true before you go on stage.
It's called the Stanislavski method. I trained in that way; as did Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman and if it's good enough for them; it's good enough for me and thee
That might be a bit heavy prep-wise for a 5 minute spot in the basement of some pub. I don't know that I'd want to put myself through the emotional trauma of having my fictional wife abducted, presumed dead on a twice weekly basis! Think I'll go with the Olivier/Anthony Hopkins/Michael Caine school of acting on this one. Appreciate the tip though.
Quote: David Bussell @ May 24 2010, 4:09 PM BSTThat might be a bit heavy prep-wise for a 5 minute spot in the basement of some pub. I don't know that I'd want to put myself through the emotional trauma of having my fictional wife abducted, presumed dead on a twice weekly basis! Think I'll go with the Olivier/Anthony Hopkins/Michael Caine school of acting on this one. Appreciate the tip though.
Yes, you're probably right and I was thinking why would you need to be a character for a comedy spot?
If it was something like this....[You just need to be yourself]
ME
My husband's been abducted!!!! I just hope to God they don't find him.
Quote: bushbaby @ May 24 2010, 4:35 PM BSTYes, you're probably right and I was thinking why would you need to be a character for a comedy spot?
If it was something like this....(You just need to be yourself)
ME
My husband's been abducted!!!! I just hope to God they don't find him.
No, it's a character act alright, ie a persona different to my own. I was just saying that going full-on Method might be a bit much in this instance.
Quote: David Bussell @ May 24 2010, 4:39 PM BSTI was just saying that going full-on Method might be a bit much in this instance.
I could ask Ben to abduct your girlfriend, if that helps get you in 'the zone'. You know he'd do something awful to her too, which would give your performance those right jittery, dread filled notes.
Quote: David Bussell @ May 24 2010, 4:39 PM BSTNo, it's a character act alright, ie a persona different to my own. I was just saying that going full-on Method might be a bit much in this instance.
Ok then, do it 'method', [Stanislavski] it's the best and so realistic/true. You only need a few minutes thought before you go on.
It's like an actor needing to cry instantly. I can do that by thinking about my beloved and dead Shi-tzu, whilst still being in character. It's 95% being in character and 5% aware of the audience..simples
But it's your choice, obviously, good luck and enjoy 
Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 24 2010, 4:43 PM BSTI could ask Ben to abduct your girlfriend, if that helps get you in 'the zone'. You know he'd do something awful to her too, which would give your performance those right jittery, dread filled notes.
I don't know, I'm thinking Chipolata would better fit the bill. What do you say, Chip old bean; house number on a postcode enough for you to get started?
Quote: bushbaby @ May 24 2010, 4:45 PM BSTOk then, do it 'method', (Stanislavski) it's the best and so realistic/true. You only need a few minutes thought before you go on.
It's like an actor needing to cry instantly. I can do that by thinking about my beloved and dead Shi-tzu, whilst still being in character. It's 95% being in character and 5% aware of the audience..simples
But it's your choice, obviously, good luck and enjoy
This is my problem with the Method technique - nothing truly bad has ever happened to me that I can call on as a reference point. I haven't had to cry since I was a kid. Besides, I don't think a comedy crowd is looking for genuine waterworks - just an approximation. You can go too real I think.
Quote: David Bussell @ May 24 2010, 4:52 PM BSTI don't know, I'm thinking Chipolata would better fit the bill. What do you say, Chip old bean; house number on a postcode enough for you to get started?
This is my problem with the Method technique - nothing truly bad has ever happened to me that I can call on as a reference point. I haven't had to cry since I was a kid. Besides, I don't think a comedy crowd is looking for genuine waterworks - just an approximation. You can go too real I think.
Yes I agree and that's what was a bit puzzling, I should think an over the top crying as in Lucille Ball would be more hilarious for a comedy spot.
Quote: David Bussell @ May 24 2010, 4:52 PM BSTThis is my problem with the Method technique - nothing truly bad has ever happened to me
Remember when that sketch was cut from Missing Scene? The photo one? Use that pain! (I often use it to give myself a giggle when I'm feeling down)
Quote: bushbaby @ May 24 2010, 4:56 PM BSTYes I agree and that's what was a bit puzzling, I should think an over the top crying as in Lucille Ball would be more hilarious for a comedy spot.
You might well be right.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 24 2010, 5:03 PM BSTRemember when that sketch was cut from Missing Scene? The photo one? Use that pain! (I often use it to give myself a giggle when I'm feeling down)
Here it comes...
how did it go? the gig?
Quote: bushbaby @ June 3 2010, 8:58 AM BSThow did it go? the gig?
Pretty good, thanks. A few clangers but that's nothing unexpected given that I was road testing five minutes of new material in one go. Plenty for me to work on for when I give the character another outing next week.