you, yes you, can do standup comedy
DESCRIPTION
As described in my Dec 2005 blog entries [brainwane.net], I lead participants through the rather formulaic process for creating a few minutes of observational humor, suitable for standup comedy.TRANSCRIPT
You,Yes You,
Can Do Standup
Sumana Harihareswara
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What Drove YouTo Do This?
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Observational Humor
“What’s up with that?”
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#1: What are youcranky about?
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[use yourparty anecdotes]
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[suitable & unsuitable observations]
[in which I embarrass myself]
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#2:Humor = Incongruity
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#3: Extrapolate to absurdity
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#4: Multiple Punchlinesgive the listener good ROI
for each joke’s premise
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#5: Bits + Segues = Set
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#6: Iterate
Test rhythm, diction, order, gesturesGoal: three punchlines per minute
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Workshop time!#1
Write for 5 minutes
Find 2 peeves/anecdotes
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Workshop time!#2
2 minutes
Find the paradoxical truths
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Workshop time!#3
2 minutes
Extrapolate to absurdities
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Workshop time!#4
2 minutes
Situation, unexpected result, absurdities
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Workshop time!#5
1 minute
What’s the segue?
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Workshop time!#6
5 minutes
Practice by yourself, then with a partner
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Let’s put on a show!
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The fun goes on
Look up a local open micWatch stand-up with a knowing eye
Be more fun at parties
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Thanks for coming!
Sumana Harihareswarabrainwane.netCC images from Flickr users: Curious Expeditions, lunawhimsy, robotson, brentbat, Cayusa, fortune cookie, theopenseas, starfish235, Marcio Cabral de Moura, donttouchmapeyote, moriza, Sunflower Central, oskay James Morrison, Stef Noble. Thanks all!
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