RichardPryor.com Forums

Hi Jenny,
It is me again Daria. The one with all the questions. I read the last postings going on about new comics and that horrible gig you went to see and you mentioned Woodshed. My husband being a jazz musician told me what that meant and I honestly believe that level of dedication for the craft is what is lacking from the comedy scene today no matter what race, creed or colour or where you are in the world. I run my room in Sydney Australia and most of the young guys that are doing open mike when I ask them how long they practice for a day can't give me a number or they say they don't practice that way. WHAT!!! I mean I am about as undisciplined as the next person if not more but I have seen the difference of my performance when I have practiced and when I have not.
I also got wrapped up with a comedy forum that was set up by this guy who wrote 2 books to help comics write material and even though the books were very helpful to me the forum seemed to be a bunch of guys wanking themselves. When I challenged them all to log the amount of time they put into the craft as a real effort to get the discipline thing down they all freaked out and said that I was aggressive. All I wanted to do was set up the habit of putting the craft first and they all reacted like I wanted their first born child. All I know is that I have stopped looking to other people to help me. I found a great old quote from a old comic named Georgie Starr in relationship to comedy he said, "You have to fuck it, suck it, eat it day and night. Work the material. Work it. Work it." It is a bit crude for me personally but it is where I am at now. My husband has obtained me my second room. So now I perform weekly on Wednesday nights mcing an open mike and once a month performing as the feature and I perform every Friday night now as a Feature act MY SHOW with other comics supporting me and the owner of the club says if we build up Friday we will be allowed to take over Saturday as well. The room is perfect. Small, dark and intimate and we have made it a late show in the part of Sydney where people don't come out until 11pm. And there is no late shows in Sydney like this so once the word get's out we will corner the market. Any suggestions from yourself or anyone on the forum on how to get the word spread quicker?
Also Jenny thank you for being you. I have decided that this will be the only forum my husband and I log in onto now as you tell the truth and that is what I need to hear.
God bless you.
xoxo
Daria

Daria,
oh-how cool of you to say! Thanks! I have always been an honest person but Richard taught me how to celebrate it and glory in it! He really showed me how special knowing and seeking the truth was-before I knew him,it just made me lonely but RIchard was fierce about the truth-you couldn't hang with him and not be also! Many failed!
About WOODSHEDDING-I would watch RIchard put an act together-each routine took weeks to perfect; an entire act took many months and he was disciplined about his shit! I have menus from his routines/acts/concerts and as you know, his stuff was filled to the brim with stories about his family and friends and people from the neighborhood, old tales he heard growing up, characters and of course, his life and all his experiences; I just didn't hear that the other night-didn't hear shit-and you know damn well, those comics didn't work on their material! It's sad and I hope it changes-everyone wants it "quick, fast and in a hurry"-but it doesn't come that way! Hell, nothing comes tht way, except maybe a hangover! I am glad to hear you've got those nights and you are dedicated, committed and disciplined and fuck those boys mysigony! Tell the truth, which is what you are obviously doing and of course, it will piss people off! Love to you and your husband and see you here again soon!!

Jennifer,
Thank God for you. My husband after reading your post was walking around the house going, "Now that's what I'm talking about!" I am now free to do what I knew all along in my heart to do GET MY SHIT DOWN!! only because you told me the truth. I am now past the stage of hoping others will help me out with where I want to get to. I am printing out your post to carry with me in my diaries and hang up on my wall so that everytime I am being a lazy motherfucker I will look at your words of truth and get a kick up the butt. Thanks so much Jenny you are a real blessing and I am so grateful to God that my husband found you guys. I will let you know how the show is going in future posts.
xoxo
Daria
Ps one quick question: When Richard first start out did he stay in one room so that people could always find him performing there or did he move around a lot? Thanks again. ;p

Daria,
Good to hear that you now have a comedy franchise. Use the web to advertise, see the what's happening section or the visitors guide in your local area. see if you can advertise in exchange for 10 vip passes to the show. The adveritsers get the passes in exchange for free ads in there publication or website. Plus tell them you'll give them a honorable mention at the show as a contributing sponsor. That's how I do it and it works. very well. Good luck and if you have any questions hit me up...

Robbie,
Thanks for the suggestion I will let hand it over to my husband. Keep up the good work yourself I have seen many of your posts and you can tell you love what you do and that is half the battle. I look forward to hearing from you again.
God Bless you.
xoxo
Daria

Daria,

Hey it's me Russ. Thanks for pointing me to this site. Richard Pryor is probably the reason I dreamed of being a comedian. I didn't do anything about it till last year. I am 40 now, but on fire.

Though I am on the other forum also. I always liked your posts. You're right about people feeling threatened. Also, if your not out actually doing comedy, the forum is a comfort zone to stay in.

You're right about some people going through the motions. I practice at least once a day. The only reason I wouldn't practice is if I am writing.

7 months ago was my first time on stage. I have have a room that I have done 4 shows in since November. Once a month now.

I am trying to put together a benefit show for the American Cancer Society. It's new thing, so it will take some selling. Juvenal Diabetes is interested also. They had to stop selling candy bars to raise money.

I can't remember if I told you my wife is black and very honest and open. She's taught me a lot. I have some material about our situation, but I don't want to overdo it. You know, sound like all the other hacks.

I saw 2 comics one right after the other on comic view. There sets were almost identical:

Look at all the white people in the audience
Dick joke
Eat couchi
Thank you and goodnight

Thanks for steering me to this forum.

Russ

Daria,
Richard worked everywhere and anywhere-he just worked-needed stage time-to work out-to get his thing together(woodhsedd)! I am happy that you have found a strength here on this site to go forward with your truth and humor-I just reread some of RP"S interviews from Rolling Stone 1974 and then a 1979 interview and the writer(David Felton) talks about how RIchard could endure those awkward moments on stage-he would throw serious material into hilarious shit and mix it up and sometimes it just created these moments of silence and it would be wonderful to see the audience go through whatever magic Richard conjured up. It was his truth always to which people responded and that is the hardest thing to remember in all this "comedy bussiness" -make them want to listen to your truth: to laugh or cry with it all! Richard and I are happy to be able to provide you with some of this shit that help you see and get to your truth!Jenny and Richard

Daria,

I don't think you're gonna get this kind of feedback anywhere else. It's very cool that you are taking advantage of it. Right on!!!!

Jenny Lee is the Shit!

Vee

Vee, you're seriously right. I know it's been said before, but this website is to me, the reason the internet was invented. It may not have been said before, as it is a ridiculous statement, but from the heart.
Anyway, I hadn't thought of working things out in terms of 'woodshedding' before, but it's a really helpful term, and knowing that it, along with his awesomeness, helped make Mr.P be as great as he is, is incredibly helpful.

I've felt really blessed and encouraged checking this site out.

NickFlanagan,
Richard and and I are equally as blessed-for Richard to be able to communiocate directly to his fans, to aspiring comics, to all the friends, is simply awesome and fucking fun!!Jen and RIchard