Tony Cowards
Monday 14th October 2013 12:04pm
Wiltshire
1,762 posts
The biggest positive and also one of the negatives about stand up comedy is that there are no rules about how to do it.
All I would say is gig, gig, gig.
Do as many gigs as you can, gigs to students, gigs to OAPs, do clean gigs, military gigs, corporate gigs, gigs in rooms above pubs, gigs in "proper" comedy clubs, take every opportunity you can (whilst making sure that you are not being totally exploited).
Try to learn something from every gig and remember that the easiest time to experiment in your "career" is at the beginning when no one knows who you are, so if you want to try something different then give it a go.
Also write as much as you can, keep turning over material, keep what works, re-write what doesn't or save it for later (never throw anything away).
Be nice to everyone you come across, that lowly open spot you met yesterday could be selling out the Hammersmith Apollo in 2-3 years time. Comedy is a people business, treat people well and you'll go further than if you are a dick.
Personally I would say don't worry too much about "progression" until you have been gigging for a few years (or at least done several hundred gigs), you don't want to get too many opportunities before you are ready, people in comedy have long memories, they'll remember you as a rubbish open spot for years, it's very hard to change people's initial opinions, much better to improve under the radar and then burst onto the scene when you actually know what you are doing and can repeat it on a frequent basis.
Good luck and remember to enjoy yourself, if you're not enjoying it then neither will the audience.
