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Stand-Up Comedy
Don't get heckled! Take charge of the stage and make 'em laugh every time!
"Teach Yourself Stand-Up Comedy" gives you advice on everything from securing an agent and scheduling gigs to dealing with props and hecklers. It is perfect for amateurs just starting in the business.
"Teach Yourself Stand-Up Comedy" gives you advice on everything from securing an agent and scheduling gigs to dealing with props and hecklers. It is perfect for amateurs just starting in the business.
- GenresHumor
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 19, 2016
I'm writing a novel about a stand-up comic, so I've been devouring books that give insight on the life, the realities of performing, and the craft of writing material. This book gets straight A's in all aspects.
First, Logan Murray provides background on where jokes come from, and breaks down the mechanics of how to add afterthoughts, attitudes, and other tricks of the trade to make something funny. He offers exercises so you can practice crafting your own jokes, and he gives "workshops" for building an act. Not only was this information useful to me in terms of writing gags for my protagonist, but I can apply the techniques in generating posts for my humor blog. He also includes information on character acts, and how to build them.
Next, he gives instruction on stage presence, dealing with nerves, handling a microphone and hecklers (hands-off the hecklers), and pacing your delivery.
Last, he covers the in's and out's of the business of comedy: marketing, publicity, getting an agent and/or manager, booking gigs, what to do the days before to prepare yourself, and the performance itself. Real comics talk about the ups and downs of the job, and share tips they've learned.
If you want to write humor, or break into the world of stand-up, this book is definitely one to add to your toolkit.
First, Logan Murray provides background on where jokes come from, and breaks down the mechanics of how to add afterthoughts, attitudes, and other tricks of the trade to make something funny. He offers exercises so you can practice crafting your own jokes, and he gives "workshops" for building an act. Not only was this information useful to me in terms of writing gags for my protagonist, but I can apply the techniques in generating posts for my humor blog. He also includes information on character acts, and how to build them.
Next, he gives instruction on stage presence, dealing with nerves, handling a microphone and hecklers (hands-off the hecklers), and pacing your delivery.
Last, he covers the in's and out's of the business of comedy: marketing, publicity, getting an agent and/or manager, booking gigs, what to do the days before to prepare yourself, and the performance itself. Real comics talk about the ups and downs of the job, and share tips they've learned.
If you want to write humor, or break into the world of stand-up, this book is definitely one to add to your toolkit.
April 18, 2013
Have read quite a few of the stand up self-help guides and I think this is the overall best.
Very good on how "attitude" determines how an audience perceive a comedian and their material.
Logically organised in sections and contains much I wish I'd thought about before first starting to practice this craft whose most frustrating element is that it's a craft which works all the better if it doesn't look as if you're practicing a craft...
Very good on how "attitude" determines how an audience perceive a comedian and their material.
Logically organised in sections and contains much I wish I'd thought about before first starting to practice this craft whose most frustrating element is that it's a craft which works all the better if it doesn't look as if you're practicing a craft...
February 1, 2011
This is a fun one. Includes practical creative games (solo and group).
August 12, 2015
Best out of the six books on stand-up I read. Perfect for a beginner like me. Lots of great writing exercises to spark ideas.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews