RichardPryor.com Forums

ey everybody,

Jane here. I'm bringing up another aspiring comic topic for all y'all to dismiss within the same thought, but every little bit of info helps me to make up my mind.

I was reading an interview from the joy, happiness and overall happy outlook on life master, marc maron. Within the article it brought up the point (paraphrasing Dave Attell) that the new comics are being increasingly less likely to improvise any parts of their bits. Very "by their material" comics. Is this true? Are we losing comics that are able to work crowds? And if so, is that killing the alternative comedy scene? I don't actually think stand-up will all out die on us, because people like to laugh too much, and it's been around for too long (modern stand-up since post WWII, at least... or the comedy monologuist...I'm sure there were people satirizing Oedipus Rex and the ineffeciency of the toga...there would have had to have been.).

It seems stand-up is hitting a boom about now thanks to comedy central (no matter how much you hate it, it's helping out...even if their tastes and preferences are skewed by corporate backers and the dollar itself). Is there a potential huge lull, nadir of the comedy scene?

And at what point do you give up? What if there is no chance in hell that you could ever make it? Just don't accept no and move forward, or cut your losses and head back to the salt mines?

If I expect myself to at least make a meager living from the stand-up one day, I want to be sure from the start that's what I want to do. If ten, fifteen, twenty years down the road I wake up and I'm stuck in the bar scene going nowhere, I want to at least make sure that I thought of that possible (more plausible) outcome. ("not cynical mate. realistic.") I'd rather think of the bad and be surprised in a good way, rather than be surprised by the shocking realisation that my unemployment has run out, the utilities are being turned off, the man repoing my car and I'm too old to keep a good work ethic in fast food.

Look children! An insecurity!
Jane

Where's my comedy mentor?

jane_haze,
I don't improvise as much as I'd like to, but I do adlib when I feel like it, and respond to the crowd's tone...I'd love to be able to work a crowd more but I don't really know how to actively improve that skill. As for the fear of not realising you're shoddy at comedy late in the game, I'm sure you'll have learned something at that point which will open up the right career path if it's not comedy.

NickFlanagan,

Thanks for giving feedback. Like I said, every little bit helps.

Nother one. We're all on about truth and telling about stuff that matters around here, but what kinda stuff did Richard start out with (no disrespect is meant by this question)? Were there not many years of just random funny things until Richard walked off stage? How successful was Mr. Pryor when he made that key decision? How many years had he already sunk into stand-up?

And is it wise to tell about serious problems (with jokes, naturally) when you first start up, or should you get some sort of voice before you start doing crazy shizzle like that?

Jane

jane_haze,

I think you'd save yourself A LOT of time and energy if you just GET ON STAGE. I mean you may not even [/i]like performing[/i] and if that's the case, all these questions are for not.

jane_haze,
hey do you have that artical online? I love maron and would love to check it out. Post back or my email is on www.jamiekilstein.com (hows that for some cheap whoring) thanks a lot. Jamie
p.s- everyones different....i dont know if by adlibbing they meant croud work persay. I know dave a lot of times goes on stage with a concept and a punchline and just rambles a bit as opposed to "reading off cue cards". that could be more or less what there talking about, people not wanting to expand there jokes on stage and just sticking with the script. I hate following someone who dose just shitty croud work becouse there act is dying. Id rather see someone do ok with smart material then kill with making fun of some guy with a goofy hat. But i do agree that you should be more relaxed on stage and willing to exsperament.

SweetLuchia,

Firstly, I've been getting in front of very informal groups and speaking. Practicing my speaking style, the ability to clearly convey opinions, getting joke timing down, etc.

I kinda am limited as to were I can actually do stand up at this time...seeing as how I am in Germany. And not within a two hour train ride to a decent sized city to find an area that *might* have an English speaking venue.

And if I do it now, I'll have to do it in German which I haven't gotten the feel of German comedy down yet. Especially with my only decent German skills, reacting to things in a decent comedy time frame tends to be hard.

I'll be back stateside by July and will get something going within the first weeks. And I do realize that I might not even like performing...I've thought of that, too. If not, then I will have a basis to evaluate and really know how the workings of stand-up go. It's interesting nonetheless. And also, if I don't like stand-up, then I've got 1.5 floppies full of only notepads with joke after joke after idea after joke also for not.

BTW, the article was somewhere on www.marcmaron.com. Interesting site.

Haze

jane_haze,

Cool!!! I'm glad you're starting to put some of your stuff out there-it makes no difference how 'big' the venue as long as you put it out there. Also don't be disappointed or discouraged if not ALL of your jokes and ideas work on stage, this IS NORMAL

It's all a part of the beautiful birthing process of comedy. You take your thoughts and your jokes try them out and listen to the audience to see what THEY find most interesting--KEEP whatever portion of your material that may be and just work with it. Play with it-try delivering it all different ways and don't be afraid of SILENCE-it can be extremely POWERFUL when discussing DEEP subjects.

GOOD LUCK honey! I have a very strong affinity for female comic's so if you're ever in the NY area look me up! We'll hit a few open mics and [/i]Woodshed[/i]

SweetLuchia,

Thanks for the encouragement! And if I'm ever in the area, and still have faith in myself, then I'll give you ring.

Very cool!
Jane

jane_haze,

You're VERY welcome! And don't ever stop having faith in yourself!

NO ONE ELSE IS GOING TO HAVE FAITH IN YOU IF YOU DON'T!!