they say most comedians, well the great ones anyway, draw their material from a dark place
I think I wanna write comedy
where/ how do I start?
I mean I used to make acquaintances with a couple 'professional' comedians back in the day but never thought to ask how they started...well, mainly because I had no notion that I'd be good at it
but it was always in the back of my mind
I LOVE live stand-up
I mean like even the horrible acts
I'm the guy that'll be chuckling LOUDLY in the crowd even when the comedian is bombing out...just for encouragement and most of the time it's genuinely funny seeing them bomb yet still power through
but then again, I gotta sorta weird sense of humor
anyways, there's a couple of y'all legit funny mofos up in here
hell, one even made a hellafied name for himself in the big time (obviously I'm talking about Desus...and Mero?)
I was just wondering.
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The ULTIMATE negation of everything.
The space between despair and orgasm is hard to fill ~ Maron
1. "I do improv for my S.O." In response to Reply # 0 Thu Nov-02-17 11:29 AM by flipnile
Been writing some short screenplays (like skits) recently, so I'll riff a lot and sometime break out in a 2-3 minute mini-set of jokes. I don't write jokes down tho, as many are in the context of the screenplay. I also riff off whatever's on TV a lot. Sometimes she's cracking up, sometimes she looks at me like I'm crazy, and other times I'm interrupting her show, lol.
Been wanting to do open mic for a minute, but I already have too many balls in the air.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79594 posts
Thu Nov-02-17 11:47 AM
4. "my wife and I be going in" In response to Reply # 1
we were going to buy some shit for my daughters bday and there was a dude who was in the middle of the parking lot standing in the way of cars. My wife was about to go help him and I had to tell her to chill the fuck out cause I think he was special needs and his Dad or guardian was close by but he kept his distance and talked him down til he got in the car.
It was all types of wrong but I had to joke my wife cause she be trying to play hero and those dudes are strong as fuck.
so my wife says our daughter was going to be at the birthday party asking "where's momma?"
and we went into this long ass scene of why she was in the hospital and I was in the jail hospital all fucked up cause dude had that kung fu grip.
we had real tears and the shit lasted for 10 minutes. We just kept going and going.
so while I don't write shit we damn sure improv scenes.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
6. "yo! I came >< close to doing open mic about a month ago..." In response to Reply # 1 Thu Nov-02-17 11:55 AM by Somnus
it was the best setting too
a lil wrinkydink hole-in-the-wall in the LES
crowd was cool and supportive, I guess cause most of em were waiting for their turn on the mic
I ain't gon front tho, I was shook-daddy
didn't have the balls
one of em even shouted me out talking bout how outta place I was. guess I must've stuck out like a sore thumb standing by the exit. glad I made her set easier tho lol.
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The ULTIMATE negation of everything.
The space between despair and orgasm is hard to fill ~ Maron
3. "I saw CRich do a set once... he killed it.. I had another friend.." In response to Reply # 0 Thu Nov-02-17 11:36 AM by PG
who I used to work with... he also did it and was funny as heck.
we used to make up some really hilarious bizarre stuff together he might use some of it but most of it was a little too offbeat for mainstream consumption and tended to become just inside running gags between us.
8. "well, I have no qualms stating that I'm a HUGH Louie CK fan" In response to Reply # 5
but to answer your question, and surprisingly enough, the last stand-up that had me literally rolling was Mike Epps' latest, which is actually type old right about now.
funny thing is, I was NEVER a Mike Epps fan, always thought he was corny as shit (based off of his movies) but that last stand-up made me do a double take.
granted, alot of his material is recycled shit but I like the way he spins it for a new affect.
________________________________________________
The ULTIMATE negation of everything.
The space between despair and orgasm is hard to fill ~ Maron
Been performing for two and a half years now. All I can say is just do it. There is nothing like it and the only way to know what it's like is to do it.
Writing is the most important. I would suggest you write up three to five minutes of material and practice like a mofo until you do it at an open mic. Then if you like it keep at it until that material gets tighter and better and then add to it.
If you've got the itch, scratch it. I'm hooked. Bout to go MC at a club right now.
10. "RE: any of y'all write stand-up?" In response to Reply # 0
>they say most comedians, well the great ones anyway, draw >their material from a dark place
ehhh...most great comedians draw their material from everyday things they draw some from dark material but the greats were well rounded in their material
>I think I wanna write comedy > >where/ how do I start?
watch your favorite standups literally write down your favorite jokes and look at the structure of the joke examine the timing and just keep notes on just everyday shit
try to hammer out 5 minutes and go from their
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Navem nu, cuando sol Tutu nu, vondo nos nu Vita em, no continous non Nos nu ekta nos sepe ta, amen
When the sun shades the ship We sweat and life is not safe To swim or to touch not When we unite we hedge amen
19. "this is not going to translate well being typed out but ill attempt" In response to Reply # 16
They all do have dark moments....maybe even some of their best jokes are dark but what made them great was they were all well rounded observational comics not everything they spoke about was "dark" to be an actual great....dark is not a prerequisite may be part but its not the whole thing comedy can come from dark places on occasion...but its not the whole picture and if you are totally dark...more than likely you are not a good comic
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Navem nu, cuando sol Tutu nu, vondo nos nu Vita em, no continous non Nos nu ekta nos sepe ta, amen
When the sun shades the ship We sweat and life is not safe To swim or to touch not When we unite we hedge amen
20. "RE: this is not going to translate well being typed out but ill attempt" In response to Reply # 19
>They all do have dark moments....maybe even some of their >best jokes are dark >but what made them great was they were all well rounded >observational comics >not everything they spoke about was "dark" >to be an actual great....dark is not a prerequisite >may be part but its not the whole thing >comedy can come from dark places on occasion...but its not the >whole picture >and if you are totally dark...more than likely you are not a >good comic
not true.
look at Anthony Jeselnik, Bill Burr, Patrice O'Neal...most of Carlin's material was DARK observational humour.
________________________________________________
The ULTIMATE negation of everything.
The space between despair and orgasm is hard to fill ~ Maron
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79594 posts
Thu Nov-02-17 12:28 PM
13. "I always wanted to run into a tanning salon and scream for a refund" In response to Reply # 0
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
23. "i was friends with a lot of comedians for a few years" In response to Reply # 0
some who have gone on to be on conan, vice, comedy central, etc
the biggest thing is to just get out there.
become obsessed it.
go out and get up on stage as much as possible. practice and practice and practice some more.
the folks I know who made it to the next level were the folks who were deep in it going up any chance they had. be it the open mic with a willing audience to the most dusty ass dive bar stages where the folks there were more interested in getting drunk instead of hearing jokes
24. "i would love to do stand up but i'm most funny at situational humor`" In response to Reply # 0
i have and can host the hell out of an event..but if you just gave me an audience and no topic i'd bomb
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
26. "good to know I am not the only one" In response to Reply # 0
I am a fan as well and now when I watch stand-up or improv, I find myself dissecting it more and more instead of just sitting back and enjoying. I am looking at set-up, pace, inflection of voice, and timing. I still enjoy the specials but there is a growing part of me that feels I truly understand the breakdown of comedy. That I could put together and construct a routine. I also wonder if I can handle bombing. I never will forget something Dave Chappelle said on James Lipton's Inside the Actor's Studio. He was remembering bombing on Showtime at the Apollo. He said he was bombing on t.v., in front of all his friends, in front of his family, the audience was booing him, and he just thought to himself 'ya' know....this isn't that bad'. He got kicked off stage on one of the biggest platforms yet still had the nerve to keep going pursuing his career. I also am curious if I can handle hecklers and can control a crowd....or just have an arsenal of jokes to battle with and shut shit down. Jamie Foxx and D.L. Hughley are examples that can just go up and shut it down off the top of the dome. I've made many types of people of all walks of life bust a gut here and there. I wonder if I practice storytelling and make it into a routine, I can make a career? And if I don't pop, in my mind, would I be content? Well, go ahead and take that plunge. Would love to see another okayplayer make it while following their dreams; doesn't matter whether in front of the camera or behind the scenes. The beginning is scary but it seems there tends to be a payoff at the end. Also good to know who the comedians/comedy writers are on this board. The data I am collecting from these exchanges are cool.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79594 posts
Thu Nov-02-17 03:23 PM
28. "Yeah, I used to think comedians never did the same jokes" In response to Reply # 26
Like each show was totally brand new. I think it’s timing. Some folks get on stage and rush or they are too slow and it ruins it for me.
Some dudes are naturally funny and can just go off the top.
I think it’s all about that firs 2 or 3 minutes.... go gotta get them with that first joke or shit prolly feels like purgatory.
Not sure how comedians deal with hecklers but I think some comedians have plants in the crowd to get it popping. Joe Torre was great at busting on people in the crowd. One time we had a comedian open for us and dude saw my dreads and went in. I wanted to roast that dude once I got the mic but I realize dude is just doing his job.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
30. "RE: Yeah, I used to think comedians never did the same jokes" In response to Reply # 28
>Like each show was totally brand new. I think it’s timing. >Some folks get on stage and rush or they are too slow and it >ruins it for me. > >Some dudes are naturally funny and can just go off the top. > >I think it’s all about that firs 2 or 3 minutes.... go gotta >get them with that first joke or shit prolly feels like >purgatory. > >Not sure how comedians deal with hecklers but I think some >comedians have plants in the crowd to get it popping. Joe >Torre was great at busting on people in the crowd. One time we >had a comedian open for us and dude saw my dreads and went in. >I wanted to roast that dude once I got the mic but I realize >dude is just doing his job. >
Good to know. You do stand-up or something else? I read that someone opened for you? Man, I thought you were a lawyer....or maybe that is Buddy.
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