OOT, I am on quest
 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...quest-logo.jpg


Anyways, I've decided to dabble in the art of stand up comedy...not looking to make a career or anything out it, just have some fun, see where it goes, and be able to say I've performed stand up comedy.

I already have a little material that I've thought of, but not a lot. I know there was at least one amateur comedian floating around OOT, does anyone else have some experience or knowledge on the subject? I suppose the next step is to get to a point where I feel comfortable with my jokes and seek some sort of an amateur night/open mic at a club or bar or something...

I don't really know what I'm doing. Just kind of figuring things out, smoking a lot of weed and thinking of funny [censored].

I'll keep all of OOT updated on my progress. Of course, any input or advice is appreciated.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

Good luck. I understand that it is a tough gig, but have fun with it.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

I have some jokes if you want some.
For example, there's this great one I thought up regarding Lipitor

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

[ QUOTE ]
I have some jokes if you want some.
For example, there's this great one I thought up regarding Lipitor

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I feel like using any of your jokes would potentially be robbing OOT of some classic Konrad humor...but I'm interested in this Lipitor joke if you care to finish it.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

He did finish it.

My advice: start writing your material now, as if it were a humor essay you were going to send to a magazine or whatever. Obviously you won't speak like you write, but it's important to produce a routine, i.e. something you know cold. When you've got some material, speak it and record it, either audio or (better if you can do it) with video. Constantly analyze and reanalyze it, and edit every single word you can. Try to shoot for just under three minutes or just under five minutes, since when you perform (if you're any good) you will have to account for the audience laughing. This is important because any strict "amateur nights" will give you three or five minutes exactly, and they don't [censored] around. Also, if you get noticed, you'll be asked to open (at my local club these guys are called the DJs; I don't know if that's a universal reference, though) who gets three or five minutes and introduces the opener who gets 15 minutes, who introduces the headliner who gets 60 or 90 or whatever.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

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I don't really know what I'm doing. Just kind of figuring things out, smoking a lot of weed and thinking of funny [censored].

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I don't mean to be a downer, but a lot of this stuff probably isn't that funny, unless you're taking a stoner-humor angle.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

DH,

From your previous threads, I bet you are the guy that makes his friends laugh when they're stoned off his ass. Good for you, doesn't make you a comedian.

Please write or record yourself telling a joke.

PS- I think the comedian you're thinking of is Autocratic?

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

horse walks into a bar.... bartender says ... "hey horse, why the long face".... that's all I gotz.

Good luck

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

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DH,

From your previous threads, I bet you are the guy that makes his friends laugh when they're stoned off his ass. Good for you, doesn't make you a comedian.

Please write or record yourself telling a joke.

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Of course being the "funny guy" doesn't make a person a comedian. All I'm doing is giving it a shot. What's the harm in that?

I intend on putting up some of my material when I fine tune it a little more, but I think I have at least a few solid jokes.

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I don't really know what I'm doing. Just kind of figuring things out, smoking a lot of weed and thinking of funny [censored].

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't mean to be a downer, but a lot of this stuff probably isn't that funny, unless you're taking a stoner-humor angle.

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It's not stoner humor. I tend to think a LOT when I'm high,
so I just come up with all kinds of stuff....it's still funny when I'm sober. Like I said, I'll put up some audio or something when I work on it a little more.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

I think Tony P has mentioned doing stand-up in the past.

Be warned, nearly every comedian you will encounter is a deeply depressed, emotional wreck carrying tons of baggage. If you don't fit into that class of people, hanging around lots of comedians might not be your cup of tea.


Most importantly, have fun with what you are doing. Also, please don't suck. I hate sucky comedians and so does everyone else!

Edit: Know your audience! There is probably nothing more important to the success of a comedian than his understanding of who he is performing for.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

DH,
I spent some time doing stand-up. I haven't really read the thread yet- so I don't know whats been said.

I'll read the thread and provide a well-thought out post tomorrow.
in the meantime, think about this-- the things that you say when your friends go "omg-you're so funny, you should do standup"-- are those the kind of things you'd ever hear a standup actually say in a set?

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

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I have some jokes if you want some.
For example, there's this great one I thought up regarding Lipitor

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I work for Pfizer, let me have it.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

I thought it goes like this now...


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Celine Dion walks into a bar.... bartender says ... "why the long face?"

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Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

Being a comedian seems like an awesome job. Just sit around all day and think of funny things. Then occasionally make people laugh.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

[ QUOTE ]
Being a comedian seems like an awesome job. Just sit around all day and think of funny things. Then occasionally make people laugh.

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yeah, its like being a dj, you get to hang out in clubs, just put albums on and every now and then do that scratchy thing..

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

david,
You should definitely do a trial run first with friends or family.

Tony P,
Why does your location say Astoria, New York instead of Queens?

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

[ QUOTE ]
in the meantime, think about this-- the things that you say when your friends go "omg-you're so funny, you should do standup"-- are those the kind of things you'd ever hear a standup actually say in a set?

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No. But I don't intend to get on stage and say the things that I say to my friends.

Actually, recently I've kind of worked on some material. Everything I thought of, jokes I think I can take somewhere, I would work it into conversations with friends/family/coworkers...pretty good results.

A few of my jokes, just the general idea:
The recent "Britney Spears is the worst mom alive" campaign. Fact is, my mom, and many other moms, are just as nuts as Britney. Damn, I just realized this is beginning to sound cliche. Possibly something about other celebrity parents who [censored] up and/or raise [censored] ups(Dog the Bounty Hunter, Hulk Hogan, Nicole Richie(2009), etc)...Build from there.

Riding the bus, or any city transportation, everything that comes with it. One time on the bus, there was a bum broadcasting the news into a cardboard box. Just screaming current events into a little 2x3 box. And no one batted an eye. Missing the bus, selecting the perfect seat, etc. Avoiding "That Guy", the one who will always talk to you...even(especially, maybe) if you have headphones in.

Like I said, these are just the general ideas...Once I get a few more solid ideas, I will work to improve the ones with the most potential and not take the weaker ones any further.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

i helped my friend out on his brief amateur open-mic standup career for a little while. Everyone telling you how hard it is and that you're not as funny as you think you are are probably right, but that shouldn't discourage you from at least give it a shot. Like you said, you're only trying to have a little fun so why not.

I hope you are comfortable with public speaking and improvisation. I say practice talking up strangers at parties, not running material, but just getting comfortable telling BS and not being embrassed when called out on it.
When writing jokes, get to the punchline, quick. Edit out everything out of the set up that is not essential to the punchline.
Also, find a loyal group of friends to come see you at open-mics. While eventually you'll have to be comfortable in front of complete strangers, it doesn't hurt to have a few people who get your sense of humor, and if they buy alot of drinks club owners will be happy to have you back.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

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I hope you are comfortable with public speaking and improvisation. I say practice talking up strangers at parties, not running material, but just getting comfortable telling BS and not being embrassed when called out on it.

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I talk, talk, and talk all day...people I know, people I've never seen or met, people I vaguely recall meeting the previous weekend, guys I kinda recognize but don't really know if I had a class with him...or maybe we went to grade school together. Anyways, I am very outgoing...you could probably classify me as the guy who will say nearly anything to almost anyone. (Thin line between that and the guy who says everything that comes to mind to anyone who happens to be listening)

I feel decently comfortable on stage/in front of people(more so than the average person), but it could be better. I'm actually taking a Public Speaking class this semester, so that has been a good experience on a smaller scale than a bar or club.

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Also, find a loyal group of friends to come see you at open-mics. While eventually you'll have to be comfortable in front of complete strangers, it doesn't hurt to have a few people who get your sense of humor, and if they buy alot of drinks clu owners will be happy to have you back.

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Sounds like a good plan, with the exception of the drinks. <21 FTL.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

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Riding the bus, or any city transportation, everything that comes with it. One time on the bus, there was a bum broadcasting the news into a cardboard box. Just screaming current events into a little 2x3 box. And no one batted an eye. Missing the bus, selecting the perfect seat, etc. Avoiding "That Guy", the one who will always talk to you...even(especially, maybe) if you have headphones in.


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As a frequenter of the Philly public transportation, take it from me, definitly some good possibilities here, I laughed at the IDEAS. Lots of people will be able to relate to this stuff.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Riding the bus, or any city transportation, everything that comes with it. One time on the bus, there was a bum broadcasting the news into a cardboard box. Just screaming current events into a little 2x3 box. And no one batted an eye. Missing the bus, selecting the perfect seat, etc. Avoiding "That Guy", the one who will always talk to you...even(especially, maybe) if you have headphones in.


[/ QUOTE ]

As a frequenter of the Philly public transportation, take it from me, definitly some good possibilities here, I laughed at the IDEAS. Lots of people will be able to relate to this stuff.

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Thanks, glad to hear it.

Re: OOT, I am on quest
 

david, sounds like a great thing to try. im jealous youre willing to give it a shot. ive entertained the idea over the years but realized A) im not funny and B) im not funny.

and im glad youre disregarding all the negatives comments posted here. unfortunately, as you know, it's generally the theme of OOT to slam most ideas and people willing to take risks.