How to Be a Great Comedian
According to Mike Bent, a comedian and author of "The Everything Guide to Comedy Writing," there are no hard-and-fast rules for comedy. There are, however, some general guidelines that you can use to improve and develop your career. While you may be in the funny business, you need to be serious about your work. Take your time to practice and develop your craft and you will develop from a decent comedian to a great one.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Pick a focus for your comedy. Choose topics that interest you and that are familiar to you. For instance if you are a political junkie, use politics as a source of inspiration. If you find humor in everyday life, rely on observational humor.
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Write what you find funny. There is no golden rule for writing a joke; if it sounds funny to you, try it out on people. Tell the joke to your friends and family. Many of the jokes will flop, but stick to the ones that get a laugh.
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3
Practice your delivery. Recite your jokes in a mirror or record yourself on video so you can watch your delivery. Ask friends for feedback about your delivery and watch how other comedians deliver jokes. Remember that being a comedian isn't just about saying funny things; it's about saying things funny.
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4
Perform for real audiences as frequently as possible. If you can't get paid gigs, attend open mike nights at your local comedy club. Audiences can be brutal, but learn from your mistakes. Focus on what makes the audience laugh, rather than what bombs.
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Write new material frequently. The significant difference between a good comedian and a great comedian is the depth of his repertoire. If you use the same jokes over and over, your act will begin to sound over-rehearsed and you won't entertain repeat audience members. Frequently incorporate new material, and retire old jokes after time.
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References
- Photo Credit Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
