Friday, August 27, 2010

Another mic night open to everyone; Helping out


A hookah lounge, the Extraordinair Hookah Lounge to be exact. That was where I had found myself in Clearwater Florida for another exciting Open Mic Night of comedy. Every Thursday, or as many as I can get freed to go, I am there. Like clockwork one may say. I come here to enjoy new found friends that occupy my night's curiosity into a world of social comedic entertainment. I hear stories from that weeks “occurrences” of successful misadventures. Laughter with fellow minded equals filled my inward jollies. There is never a moment I think that Thursday couldn't go by faster. I await Thursdays, and I embrace them. This is one of the better Open Mics I have been to for comedy.

Though, like all good things, I have some weird observations of a society collected in skill training environments. I found myself laughing at a lot of comedians; not just because they were funny. Yet it almost seemed rude of me to explode into hysteria when I heard a joke for the umpteenth time. As if I couldn't find that joke funny again, or maybe it took this one time for me to finally get that joke. I mean that is highly unlikely, but I should always keep my optional paths open at all times. That's where I get confused when I go to these things. Most comedians, which accumulate a majority of your Open Mic crowds, take their time not to laugh. Why? Well, my theory, being more correct than wrong, is that they are analyzing your joke, your motion on stage and gauging your comedic worth valued against their own.

I talked to a gentlemen, who is basically starting out, last night and he had said something to me that made sense. From his perspective, not mine. He said that he hates when he performs at an Open Mic and no one laughs. He needs to figure his joke's worth through interactive laughter. Fine, this is true. On a side note, I feel you are up there just to speak your lines and get comfortable with what you have to say on stage. How to hold the mic, so on and so forth... But, he needs that laughter. SO, why do the comics not laugh? So much so, that when I, a comedian, laughed it seemed awkward. There is no reaction, and when you get a laugh it is a small giggle or moan, or someone judging you so deeply that they can't handle your hackish material. Which I agree with, don't do hack jokes. Puns are fun, but hack is just ridiculous. I've done my share and work hard to sway away.

So this is what I've come up with... It may sound “crazy”. Just hear me out. For like, maybe the length of this articles remaining breath.

Helping one another out. I know, it is way out there for people in the entertainment business. Mostly from those still at a novice level with their skill. Imagine you went up at an open mic and your joke, which is only in the beginning stages anyway, gets a reaction. Not silence. Okay, I hear you, what if the joke is so bad it doesn't make sense and therefore gets no laugh at all. Makes sense, why react at all. How about everyone gets together at the end of the show and talks about their sets with one another. Or at the least, those who would like to. Or while someone is on stage and you just “Happen” to find the joke funny but just don't laugh... why don't you laugh? Don't keep it in, and don't devalue these people working enough nerve to even get up there in the first place. Give these people what you wanted at one point or another. If you are feeling down, they are too.

For those who “are the greatest thing since slice bread” going up there, or sitting in the audience. Give it up. If you are sitting in a room with these same people, even if you have “real” shows once in a while, you are in the same boat as them. The moment you wake up to go to your day job you will understand what I am saying to you. When you make a living as a career comedian, that's when you'll be “above” the cause. Which in turn gives you an opportunity/chance to turn around to help those below you now. Because you'd want that too.

It is hard enough for people who are starting out, but to knock them down while they are trying to perform... that's just low. Also, while you are performing yourself, don't put yourself down on stage. NO DEVALUING YOURSELF!!! If a joke isn't working, just keep going. You have to make it work somehow. Talking it out on stage is why you are there. Be true to your form, don't wavier. Because when you are at a “real” show you will only thank yourself for taking that time to get use to it on a smaller stage.

Over all... BE SUPPORTIVE!!!

Peace and hope, until again...
~ Thomas J Bellezza

PS If you're starting out in comedy, please don't do these things.

1) Think you are so funny that you are awesome even before you hit the stage. Confidence and cockiness is not the same thing. Yeah a joke may be funny at home, but that doesn't mean your audience is going to give you a standing-ovation. Go up there humble. These stages have been touched by comedians/entertainers that put their whole life on the line to make a person reacted emotionally to their hard, very hard work at their particular craft. Don't dishonor this tradition of skill formed through dedication because you “think you're awesome”. On average, you're not awesome for at least 10 years.

2) Don't pause for laughter, pause because of laughter. It is okay to wait while your crowd laughs in spots you didn't write to be funny. It is annoying to watch a comedian tell a joke through laughter then pause at “their” punchline while the crowd sits in silence. Just because you think it's funny, doesn't mean it is. You have to follow your crowd and go with their flow. Slow up, speed up, tell a dirty joke, quick joke, clean joke, or even a long joke. Let your audience guide you, but control the room's vibe.

3) If you're hosting, don't do your set. A host works the audience into life. Get them going by making them interested in a show that is about to start. I talked about this in my last blog, but I still never see it. So, I'm telling those who are starting out. I've been here, involved in business entertainment, for 15 years dealing with professionals... A Host works a crowd, warms them up and tells their jokes within the context of your organized ramblings. A Feature act takes that vibe (by studying what the crowd likes based on how your host did) established through your host's efforts. Because your Headliner/Closer kills the audience by doing what they do best, entertain.

Lesson over...

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