Q&A for How to Be a Comedian

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  • Question
    What's the easiest way to review my open mic sets if the venue doesn't allow recording?
    Kendall Payne
    Standup Comedian
    Kendall Payne is a Writer, Director, and Stand-up Comedian based in Brooklyn, New York. Kendall specializes in directing, writing, and producing comedic short films. Her films have screened at Indie Short Fest, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, Channel 101 NY, and 8 Ball TV. She has also written and directed content for the Netflix is a Joke social channels and has written marketing scripts for Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Astronomy Club, Wine Country, Bash Brothers, Stand Up Specials and more. Kendall runs an IRL internet comedy show at Caveat called Extremely Online, and a comedy show for @ssholes called Sugarp!ss at Easy Lover. She studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and at New York University (NYU) Tisch in the TV Writing Certificate Program.
    Standup Comedian
    Expert Answer
    Every comedian I know uses a recording app on their phone. They just turn it on before they get on stage, and then they put the phone in their pocket to record their set.
  • Question
    What's the best way to practice my standup?
    Kendall Payne
    Standup Comedian
    Kendall Payne is a Writer, Director, and Stand-up Comedian based in Brooklyn, New York. Kendall specializes in directing, writing, and producing comedic short films. Her films have screened at Indie Short Fest, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, Channel 101 NY, and 8 Ball TV. She has also written and directed content for the Netflix is a Joke social channels and has written marketing scripts for Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Astronomy Club, Wine Country, Bash Brothers, Stand Up Specials and more. Kendall runs an IRL internet comedy show at Caveat called Extremely Online, and a comedy show for @ssholes called Sugarp!ss at Easy Lover. She studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and at New York University (NYU) Tisch in the TV Writing Certificate Program.
    Standup Comedian
    Expert Answer
    There's really no replacement for the open mic. It's the tried-and-true option for comedians who want practice telling jokes to a live audience..
  • Question
    Can watching comedy movies help me to improve?
    Community Answer
    Definitely. This is a great way to see the way some of the top professionals express humor.
  • Question
    How can I keep from laughing?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes laughing with your audience can add to your performance. It can show your audience how much you enjoy your work and how much fun you are having. If not laughing is essential to your performance, you can always try thinking about something sad instead.
  • Question
    How could I do a show?
    Community Answer
    Look for open stages in your area where people can go, sign up and practice their comedy in front of people.
  • Question
    I've been creating jokes and telling them to my friends but they don't laugh. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes jokes are not what makes a joke funny, but the voice, gestures and facial expressions are what make people laugh. Work on your appearance while telling your jokes, not just the story itself. Also, finishing the end of your joke with a word with just one syllable helps: it's been proven that short and catchy sentences tend to have a higher chance of making people laugh.
  • Question
    How do I tell funny jokes to people?
    Community Answer
    Read comedy books and watch comedy shows to get ideas on how to best deliver a joke. Check out wikiHow's suggestions for how to tell a joke for additional inspiration.
  • Question
    What should I do if people don't like what I am doing?
    Community Answer
    Try to have fun on the stage. As long as you are having fun, that's all that matters. Moods can be infectious. If you get nervous, your audience may get nervous; you are have fun, your audience will eventually have fun too.
  • Question
    How do I figure out what type of comedy I am good at?
    Community Answer
    What makes you laugh? If you love it, you'll be good at it. Comedy is from the heart.
  • Question
    How can you keep from laughing?
    Community Answer
    If you want to stop laughing at your own jokes, work on controlling your reactions when you are practicing saying the joke. Sometimes comedians laughing at their own jokes actually makes the performance that much more hysterical.
  • Question
    How should I perform in front of a group of kids that don't like me?
    Community Answer
    Try to learn what they think is funny and go with that!
  • Question
    What'are some good ways to think of jokes?
    Community Answer
    Think of the opposite of a thing to relate with the object or subject and make a bridge to connect the object with it. Make sure that your audience knows what you are talking about.
  • Question
    How do I get the expressions, voice and material to do this?
    Community Answer
    Try and immerse yourself into your routine. You inflection will appear much more relatable and humorous if you are emotionally in-tune with your routine. Also, get your material from things in your life or in the news or both.
  • Question
    Can someone please elaborate on what a "stage persona" is?
    Community Answer
    A stage persona is like a character you play while doing your act. It can be more or less exactly like your real self, or it can be someone with a completely different personality altogether. It depends on what your comedy style is like.
  • Question
    What if the audience hates my looks?
    Community Answer
    Then turn your looks into a joke yourself and laugh along with them. If you beat them to the punchline, you'll stay on top.
  • Question
    How can I make a joke without my own jokes?
    Community Answer
    Talk about what happened in your life that is real and and relate it in a funny way.
  • Question
    Can I be a comedian if I am autistic?
    Community Answer
    Yes, there are a lot of comedians who are on the spectrum. It does pose additional challenges, but has been done - check YouTube for some great clips on how stand-ups deal with their own experiences in dealing with autism; yours could be a good source of unique material.
  • Question
    I'm performing in a talent show. I really want to do it, but I'm scared to because people will bully me for not being funny. How do I get rid of my fear? Also, what do I wear if I'm performing?
    Community Answer
    Don't look at the people you get intimidated by or someone you don't know. It helps if you look at your friends while on stage. Try not to care what people think about you. You can wear whatever style of clothes you usually wear, I recommend keeping it casual.
  • Question
    Can I make funny faces as a comedian?
    Community Answer
    Of course, sometimes it makes the routine better and funnier. Add sound effects to the faces or make funny gestures.
  • Question
    What if the audience doesn't understand the joke?
    Community Answer
    Don't try to explain it. Just move on to the next part of the routine.
  • Question
    How do I find jokes on Google?
    Community Answer
    If you're going to be a comedian, you should start practicing writing your own material. Comedians who steal others' jokes are known as "hacks", and are not respected within the comic community.
  • Question
    How can I make my joke understandable?
    Community Answer
    Maybe try explaining in a way that won’t take the fun out of the joke. Like “I hating dating apps because they may not be who they really are...” and then state the joke. If the audience is still confused, do something that will make them laugh. If that doesn’t work, just move on. Embrace failure and learn from it for next time.
  • Question
    Can I still do comedy if I'm gay?
    Gabe
    Community Answer
    Yes, Everybody can be funny. Remember comedy comes from the heart so, you need to make sure you accept what is in your heart first. There are many great gay comedians out there to listen to like Tom Allen and Stephen Amos.
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