Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage - Part 3
Welcome back to the third part of the series "Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage". If this is your first time, you may want to first read:
Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage - Part 1
Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage - Part 2
Ready? Let's go!
7. Great Improv isn’t!
How many of you have watched an improv comedy show like "Who's line is it anyway?" or even attend a live one? Aren't they amazing?? They speak off the cuff yet it is funny, witty and even smart. In my opinion, that's one of the toughest genre of speaking to pull off!
However in Darren's presentation, he talked about how we can "improvise". Instead of speaking off the cuff (which sometimes may or may not work), he tells us to prepare beforehand the comeback lines.
What do you say when the following happens?
1. Cell phone rings
2. Projector bulb blows.
3. Fre alarm went off
4. People coming late etc.
These are situations that will happen! Remember Murphy's Law - if something can happen, it will happen.
He proposed that we writing down the improv lines. Watch standup comedians perform, watch live/broadcast improv comedies. Jot down their lines. And file them away. The next time you do a speech, you can memorize some and apply it when the situation comes along.
You can also do some reverse engineering. Think about the possible situations that may happen. (say the above four) and think about how you can create come back lines for them. You will look like a genius!!!
Take a look at some really sucky comeback lines. Avoid that at all cause!
Ready for more?
8. Material, Delivery and Setting = WOW!
Here's a little mathematical formula for you smarties out there. If you recall, the previous seven points cover essentially material and delivery. However Darren emphasized that setting is even MORE important than the other two.
He defined setting as the environment where the communication is transpired eg. room setup. In comedy, room setup is extremely important. You need to create an intimate environment so that everyone can loosened up and be all prep up for laughs.
In my opinion, the number of people is an important factor too, in terms of the setting. I did the same humorous speech twice but at two different settings. The first setting was spacious but the audience was spaced out across the room. And it doesn't help that only 50% of the chairs were filled. The second setting was equally spacious and much bigger but everyone was packed together in the front. There was at least twice as many people as the previous one. And as you have guessed it, the second presentation was much more effective. They laugh harder and more frequently. I guess there are two reasons for that.
One, people feel more secure in a big crowd - they are less shy and more willing to laugh.
Two, your chances of triggering a laugh is much higher with a large crowd (which creates a spill over effect) When you partner laughs, you automatically laugh along too. Strange but true.
The last thing to note about setting would be distractions. It could come in the form of phone ringing and people walking in. One way of getting the audience's attention back to you would be do a comeback. (see above) Say something witty. And make the audience laugh. They will love you! Another way is to prepare beforehand. Talk to the organizers and get them to help you minimize movement/latecomers etc.
You may want to start tuning into Comedy Central or catch the next show of Whose line is it anyway this Thursday at 8pm (ABC)!
Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage - Part 1
Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage - Part 2
Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage - Part 1
Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage - Part 2
Ready? Let's go!
7. Great Improv isn’t!
How many of you have watched an improv comedy show like "Who's line is it anyway?" or even attend a live one? Aren't they amazing?? They speak off the cuff yet it is funny, witty and even smart. In my opinion, that's one of the toughest genre of speaking to pull off!
However in Darren's presentation, he talked about how we can "improvise". Instead of speaking off the cuff (which sometimes may or may not work), he tells us to prepare beforehand the comeback lines.
What do you say when the following happens?
1. Cell phone rings
2. Projector bulb blows.
3. Fre alarm went off
4. People coming late etc.
These are situations that will happen! Remember Murphy's Law - if something can happen, it will happen.
He proposed that we writing down the improv lines. Watch standup comedians perform, watch live/broadcast improv comedies. Jot down their lines. And file them away. The next time you do a speech, you can memorize some and apply it when the situation comes along.
You can also do some reverse engineering. Think about the possible situations that may happen. (say the above four) and think about how you can create come back lines for them. You will look like a genius!!!
Take a look at some really sucky comeback lines. Avoid that at all cause!
Ready for more?
8. Material, Delivery and Setting = WOW!
Here's a little mathematical formula for you smarties out there. If you recall, the previous seven points cover essentially material and delivery. However Darren emphasized that setting is even MORE important than the other two.
He defined setting as the environment where the communication is transpired eg. room setup. In comedy, room setup is extremely important. You need to create an intimate environment so that everyone can loosened up and be all prep up for laughs.
In my opinion, the number of people is an important factor too, in terms of the setting. I did the same humorous speech twice but at two different settings. The first setting was spacious but the audience was spaced out across the room. And it doesn't help that only 50% of the chairs were filled. The second setting was equally spacious and much bigger but everyone was packed together in the front. There was at least twice as many people as the previous one. And as you have guessed it, the second presentation was much more effective. They laugh harder and more frequently. I guess there are two reasons for that.
One, people feel more secure in a big crowd - they are less shy and more willing to laugh.
Two, your chances of triggering a laugh is much higher with a large crowd (which creates a spill over effect) When you partner laughs, you automatically laugh along too. Strange but true.
The last thing to note about setting would be distractions. It could come in the form of phone ringing and people walking in. One way of getting the audience's attention back to you would be do a comeback. (see above) Say something witty. And make the audience laugh. They will love you! Another way is to prepare beforehand. Talk to the organizers and get them to help you minimize movement/latecomers etc.
You may want to start tuning into Comedy Central or catch the next show of Whose line is it anyway this Thursday at 8pm (ABC)!
Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage - Part 1
Ten Comedy Secrets of Becoming Absolutely Hilarious on Stage - Part 2
posted by Tripp at 10:50 AM
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