“Things I have learned along the way.”
This is information that I have gathered during my last six years of learning
and performing standup comedy. I do not own any of this information.
Â
5-Minute Set Essentials
1. 1-3 Topics – 500 or Fewer Words – 20 + Jokes or Punchlines…
2. Strive for one laugh every 15-18 seconds…
3. Jokes – Keep it about everyone’s everyday experiences…
BULLET POINTS
- a) Keep it general when talking about politics, sports, and religion…
- b) Do not attack individuals – except for the imaginary ones You make up.
- c) Joke Quota – Try To Write 5 – 10 jokes every-day – with the goal
of keeping one or two “great ones”… - d) Emotional truth is more important than actual truth…
- e) Standup is the expression of complaint…
- f) There has to be an integrity of your complaint…
4. Standup Myth – We are talking off the top of our heads...
5. Talk to the Audience...
6. Standups have to build credibility by either going after a certain person
– Or to help the audience by building a mental image...
7. After Show, Greet Fans at Exit Door with Promotion Business Card or
Postcard...
8. Don’t Give Up – It takes at least 3 to 5 years to break into the
industry...
Tips and Trick of the Trade
Top 10 Tips For Breaking Into Standup Comedy
1. Get On Stage – NOW!!
2. Don’t Be Afraid To Bomb...
3. Keep Your Old Stuff Fresh...
4. Don’t Steal...
5. Stick To Your Time...
6. Tape Yourself & Review It...
7. Hit the Clubs – Perform at Open Mics...
8. Make Nice With the Audience...
9. Carry A Notebook With You...
10. Be Yourself...
Â
Standup Comedy Books
“Step by Step to Standup Comedy” by Greg Deans
This book and his workbooks help you learn how to write tight jokes and set
up your act
“The New Comedy Bible “by Judy Carter
This was my first book – Luckily Judy keeps updating this. It’s described as
the Ultimate Guide to Writing & Performing Stand-up comedy. She also
has an online comedy class with Dean Lewis. I have all three editions of
this book and I have taken the classes.
Â
Â
“The Eight Characters of Comedy” by Scott Sedita
This book helps you to find out what type of a Comic Character you
represent – And it’s okay to have a major type and then combine it with a
minor one. Look at the character “Joey” on “Friends” - who combines the
“Manizer” with the “Dumb One.” It was also done with “Sam” on “Cheers.”
“Comedy Writing for Late-Night TV” by Joel Toplyn
This book is great for learning how to write topical jokes and skits.
“I Can’t Make This Stuff Up” by Kevin Hart
A great road map on how someone who started with nothing, but a great
sense of humor, finally made it to the top.
“Is This Anything?” by Jerry Seinfeld
These are almost all of Jerry’s set scripts from where he began to about a
few years ago. It’s a treasure trove to the nitty gritty on how to put together
a tight set.
Â
Standup Comedy Instruction
Flappers Comedy Club, Burbank, CA
Great place for onsite and online comedy classes from beginning to expert levels. Classes include Standup comedy, Comedy writing, Comedy business, and other related topics. They also have instructors who are available for private consulting and lessons.
Dean Lewis
Online Beginning and intermediate comedy classes.
Greg Dean
Online and Onsite comedy classes in the LA area
Stand-Up Comedy TV & Internet Shows
“YouTube” – Type “Standup Comedy” in its search bar and watch…
“Dry Bar Comedy” – Is an online series of clean, original comedy sets
performed lesser-known comedians. It has a large social media,
particularly on YouTube, and as of 2021, its videos have attracted over 2
billion views. Its website has even more comedy sets.
“The Marvelous Ms. Maisel” – It's the late 1950s and Miriam "Midge"
Maisel has everything she has ever wanted -- the perfect husband, two kids
and an elegant apartment on New York's Upper West Side. Her seemingly
idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers a hidden talent, she
didn't previously know she had -- stand-up comedy. This revelation
changes her life forever as she begins a journey that takes her from her
comfortable life on the Upper West Side through the cafes and nightclubs
of Greenwich Village as she makes her way through the city's comedy
industry on a path that could ultimately lead her to a spot on the "Tonight
Show" couch. The series was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino.
“Hacks” – A dark mentorship forms between Deborah Vance, a
legendary Las Vegas comic, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old comedy
writer.
“Seinfeld” – Four single friends -- comic Jerry Seinfeld, bungling George
Costanza, frustrated working gal Elaine Benes and eccentric neighbor
Cosmo Kramer -- deal with the absurdities of everyday life in New York
City.
Â
“Crashing” – A comedy about a timid, aspiring comedian whose life is
turned upside down by his wife’s affair, forcing him into a nomadic
existence to depend on the kindness of strangers for a roof over his head
as he struggles to find his place in the chaotic New York Stand-up scene.
Starring Pete Homes, Lauren Lapkus, John Mulaney.
“I’m Dying Up Here” – explores the struggles of “making it big” in the
1970’s L.A. comedy scene. Every night, a group of up-and-coming
comedians wait to perform at Goldie’s, the hottest stand-up club in town.
But first they’ll have to win over Goldie, who rules the Sunset Strip with an
iron fist. Stand-up is a drug for these comedians, and they’re willing to
sacrifice everything to get their fix. They brave the pain of sharing their
innermost thoughts and darkest secrets, hoping that someone, anyone, will
laugh. Executive produced by Jim Carrey.
Movies About Stand up Comedy
- Lenny (1974)
- The Sunshine Boys (1975)
- Rubber Face (1983)
- The King of Comedy (1983)
- Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life
- Is Calling (1986)
- Punchline (1988)
- Talkin’ Dirty After Dark (1991)
- Chaplin (1992)
- This Is My Life (1992)
- Mr. Saturday Night (1992)
Â
- Sleepwalk With Me (2012)
- Obvious Child (2014)
- Top Five (2014)
- Don’t Think Twice (2016)
- The Comedian (2016)
- The Big Sick (2017)
- Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
- Feel Good (2020)
Gabriel Iglasis
I don't get controversial, I don't get political, and I don't tell you what to do with your life. I just go out there and tell some stories, and people can relate. I don't have to worry about writing jokes. I just tell stories about things that have happened to me. And as long as I'm alive, and I'm living, and I'm experiencing different things every day, the show will always change. When I was a kid, I did impressions and funny voices a lot. When I was telling a story, I would use the voices to make it more entertaining. Comedians do movies and TV so that when they tour, they sell out. That's the goal: To get popular enough so the place is packed. I’m always ready for TV. I don’t have to edit my jokes – when you work clean, you can work anywhere. Honestly, you got to take care of the people that take care of you. I know that sounds like cliché, or borderline phony, but that's the case. The reason I've had the fans that I have is because I've been consistent over the years and kept coming back and doing the same runs. I'm never going to stop doing the cities I've gone through. I'm only going to add…
Personal Recommendations
Â
These are the best teachers and coaches that I have had in my Los
Angeles training to become a standup comedian. Please search the web
for the personal web pages of
for information about private
Zoom and Personal lessons and coaching...
Â
Contact us today
Contact us today for more information.