I get this question all the time from people who are thinking about trying stand up comedy or some who are just getting started. Well I can only speak for myself but I will tell you what I did and some of the things I have heard that I applied.
1. Get on stage. I know it sounds crazy. You can talk about wanting to do it all you want but you will never know until you hear someone say your name as your walking to the stage. Getting in front of a crowd is half the battle. When I first started you had to hang out a comedy club to find out where there were "open mic nights". Now you can google everything. About 15 yrs ago I asked Carlos Mencia how to get into comedy and he said "Just get onstage and the rest will come to you" he was right. Find a place that will let you be heard and hold on for the ride.
2. Talk about what you know. I dont do political humor because I dont like watching the news or reading the paper. I would sound like an idiot if I tried to talk politics. I talk about chocolate cakes & drive thrus because its my life and I know it better than anyone.
3. Think big! Make your material appeal to as many people as possible. You want EVERYONE to want to see your show not just a group. How do you appeal to everyone???? Talk about things that happen to everyone exmpl ( jobs, family, taxes, watching tv, neighbors, health). Work clean, its easy to add cuss words later if you like :) its hard to go the other way.
4. Be nice to everyone!!! I cant tell you how many times people called me because some comic pissed them off and I got his gig because he got "diva". Treat everyone like gold and it will come back to you.
So how do you prepare for a meeting 30 yrs in the making????
I
have thought about what I would say to my father if I ever saw him
again at least 100 times. Every time it was something different. When I
was 13yrs old I would have said "Who the fuck are you?" At 23yrs old I
would have said "You have a lot of nerve to show your face".. Today at
33yrs old I said nothing. I simply reached out my hand, pulled him
towards me and gave him a hug. It seems that over the years I have had
time to grow up and understand that holding in bad blood and half the
story would only hurt me. I didnt ask what happen between my mom and
him. At this point it does not matter. A few months ago my brother
disowned me and I am not sure why but what I learned from that was that
to have been given a second chance at a relationship with him would
have been priceless. It has yet to happen but tonight I was faced with
an opportunity to give someone a second chance. I lost a brother but
gained a dad and now 2 sisters. We exchanged info and hours of stories.
I even got him to leave my mom a voice mail saying hello and wishing
her well. I guess he is giving second chances too.
Everybody, this is my dad Mr. Iglesias aka "The Mariachi" and yes he still sings.
awake
hopeful
An Alien named Autism 3 years ago
Sean Ramos 3 years ago
Alex Kummert (add me!) Great blog post. As a young comedian myself, I've always been inspired by the way your material is so relatable, and how geniune of a person you are. You inspire me to worker harder towards my dream everyday, and I thank you for that!
3 years ago
Edwin Solivan 3 years ago
Santos Rivera 3 years ago
cody k 3 years ago
Jeff Zeidler 3 years ago
Paige Wimer 3 years ago
Aaron Ables 3 years ago
ღShort Stuffღ 3 years ago
10 of 36MoreHmm. I am a rather sit down or behind the wall kind of comedian. lol. They laugh and I laugh, it is all good. Keep up the good work honey.
Yo thanx for tha info I'm tha biggest hit at mi high school evryone wants to hear mi jokes they even entered me in tha end of tha year talent show
come back to seattle soon!
That's what's up. The was one of the best advise I heard in a long time thanks kid.
thanks man i was actually lookin bout stand up so thanks man for tha help
Great advice man
when you coming to kansas city
ur the best! i luved ur show in KC! it was soo worth it! i luv 2 watch u everytime u come on comedy central! iam glad u came 2 the ppl with a BIG laugh and a FLUffy HEART
hey fluffy ur freakin awesome
..I agree w/ Andrew; Carlos Mencia aint got SH*T on you. Love you, Fluffy.