Stand-up comedy help: Constructing your first 5 Page 4

I'm in a similar boat, also preparing for my first 5 mins.

One thing I've been conscious of, which may/may not be a problem for you, are little things like mimes/gestures. For example I intend to do a few bits which involve two arms so at some points I need the mic on the stand... but for the most of it I want the mic in my hand. Last thing I want is to get muddled up with my hands/microphone.

I don't think you have to be doing stand up for a year just to get a 10 minute spot as you have suggested. At the "beat the frog" competition in Manchester if you win the competition OR impress the club then you get to do an 8 minute spot for free..... and I've some very average acts get the privilege of an 8 minute spot.

Well aye, if you want to do gongs. Personally I don't fancy it! I'm speaking more generally though. It all depends on who you are and where you're gigging really. If you're a corker, then you hope people will just fling longer spots in your general direction !

I get what you mean about the mic. I'm lucky enough to have my own mic, stand and amp, so I'm going to have a play about this week. I'll likely keep the mic holstered, because I'm a bit of a gesticulator

Good having a mic - you can practice sound effects with it too

Sounds like you've figured out your audience too which is important. I saw one kid in Manchester at a large venue getting a good reaction from a sketch about "Heroes"... he then tried the same thing at a smaller gig in a town outside Manchester (local people rather than students) and it was stone cold silence, so bad it threw him off his set completely.

Quick "backup jokes" - knowing how to recover from a bad reaction is a good skill too (e.g. Eddie Izzard would mime himself writing down on his notepad -- never do that one in public again)

Personally I'm trying to avoid all the standard cliches. I hate it when comedians ask people in the audience where they're from (maybe ok for a compere), I hate it when they talk about their home town (unless they're from somewhere far far away), and I hate a set full of 1 liners (unless its of the quality of Jimmy Carr). So, for me at least, one of the most important things is to be different/shocking/zany/creative/original.

My biggest fear though is telling a story/anecdote that lasts 1.5 mins and not getting a reaction!

Quote: Jason Bumford @ August 23 2010, 8:24 AM BST

I hate it when they talk about their home town

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don't come see my gig, then !

Quote: Jason Bumford @ August 23 2010, 8:24 AM BST

My biggest fear though is telling a story/anecdote that lasts 1.5 mins and not getting a reaction!

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For one of my long winded bits which I end my set with, I have an ending and a follow up ending. If the ending gets a good laugh, I leave it there. But if it doesn't, I use the follow up ending to try and rescue things.

It's a good thing to have some 'get out of jail cards'. Little asides, almost, to use when a gag fails. They must be funny though, so that it lifts the mood a little after the failed gag. Then you're starting in a bit better position for the next line. My favourites always relate to things that go wrong (as obviously the gag did). Everyone can relate to things going wrong, so it tends to drag them back to you a bit.
You can also use them after equipment malfunctions or wardrobe failures or tripping up on stage. (It could happen, although it would most likely get a laugh and you'd be tempted to keep it in!)

Good advice. I'll try to come up with some of those today !

Quote: Nat Wicks @ August 23 2010, 11:57 AM BST

Good advice. I'll try to come up with some of those today !

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You have a great attitude. I don't see how you can fail.

You never know, I could be chronically unfunny. Or shit myself.

Quote: Nat Wicks @ August 23 2010, 12:57 PM BST

Or shit myself.

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If you can do it to cue it's a guaranteed laugh.

I'll just not go nervously before getting on stage. You never know, the added tension up to that point might give me an extra edge..

Like when Joey needed a wee on Friends?

Just like that !

Me and a friend have made a pact to finally take the plunge and give it a go in a month or so, and this thread has helped a lot.

One big worry of mine is remembering my set though because I do one-liners exclusively. I've kind of grouped them and I think they flow well and do kind of jog my memory about what comes next, but is the only way to remember it really just to keep reading it through?

Cheers

If you have a massive hand, just write them all in order on the back.