I guess it's been a little while since I last posted, but I've been super busy lately. I've done about 3-4 shows since the last post and now I'm averaging about one show a week or more. Not that I'm complaining. Just the opposite, in fact. I love it! I'm getting tons of good practice, first hand experience in the craft, and I'm meeting lots of cool people to boot. Some of the other comics I've met are really creative, insightful and endlessly interesting. (And some aren't, but that's true of any profession. Honestly, the Muncie scene seems 100 times less virulent and rancorous than some of the other places I've worked.) Plus it's always nice getting a chance to dish comedy with other comedy-nerds. That right there might be the best part of any after/pre-show.
I'm learning a hell of a lot right now, and pretty much every lesson is sink-or-swim. But I like it that way. There's just something about a good comedy crowd that makes it all worthwhile. Even if you bomb or have a mediocre set, there's still an inherent sense of community amongst the group that's so invigorating. Whether we succeed or fail as comics that night, we're all kinda striving towards the same end. I really dig how that kinda brings everyone together.
But speaking of sink-or-swim, I did want to touch briefly about something that's been on my mind. A couple of weeks back I performed at the infamous "Heckler Night" I described in the previous post. Remember all of those things I said in that entry...
Probably would have been a good idea if I'd put them into practice.
HUGE bomb that night. Eh, I never said I was an expert. Belive me, the last thing I want to assert in this blog is that I know anything about "the biz." The whole purpose of this is journal is mainly to analyze and interpret my own findings as a new comic based on the things I've seen and the things I've seen other comics do/write about.
I practiced a lot of retorts for Heckler Night, but when it came time to put them into practice I completely froze. Fear made me forget rule number one: Own the stage. Granted, a lot of people did poorly that night, and I was prepared for nothing less than rejection by the crowd. But even when you know for certain that you're walking into a bad show, it doesn't make the sting of failure any less sharp.
Just 'cause you know you're going to get punched in the face doesn't mean it's gonna hurt any less.
Not that I'm writing this to rant-and-rave about how terrible of an experience it was. Yeah, it was pretty damn terrifying, but endlessly educational. I figured out right there about my 3 biggest comedic faults:
1. I'm not great at interacting with the crowd.
2. I'm clueless as to what to do when a bit backfires.
3. Sometimes my set has too much set-up and not enough punchline.
I've heard more-or-less the same thing from the other comics after my sets, so I don't think it's too far-fetched. Given my personality it does seem to make sense. I'm introverted, I don't like to get in peoples' faces, and I don't really like to hurt anyone's feelings. So when people insult me, I try not to make a big deal out of it. What I'm learning, though, is that in comedy when people try to bring you down you have to make a deal of it. You have to be the asshole sometimes. If only to counter attacks from other assholes. Other than that, I've been getting some pretty good feedback. I'm not lacking so much for quality material as I am stage presence.
I can read from the script; I just can't shoot from the hip.
That's what I've taken from it so far, at least. I've only done a handful of shows, so I'm still too green to know much of anything yet. But the entire learning process is so intriguing and hanging out with other fans of satire is so rewarding that it makes the learning curve worth bending around.
All that being said, I'm still a little frightened by something. You see, I taped the show from that night, and I've had it on my Flip Cam for a couple of weeks now.
But I still haven't watched it.
I've tried a few times, but every time I get to my portion of the set I just have to shut it off and think about something else. It really sets me at unease. This show is probably the worst bomb I've ever had to endure, and I'm sure that the footage on this video has got to be hard to watch. It was hard enough to live through, but reliving it... whooo. Sends a right shiver through me.
I can't think of any other performance, either currently or during the just-out-of-college days, that went so terribly wrong. Every single bit fell flat. The audience was not just disengaged, but actively subversive. And I've never had so many Nerf arrows fired at me at one time. Seriously. That crowd made it rain foam-rubber. I even sustained a small bruise on my ass from where someone fired this giant Nerf bazooka at me while my back was turned. (No joke, this "arrow" was almost as big as my forearm.)
It was a hell of a fright. I had a 6-8 minute set prepared, and I think I jumped ship after maybe 3. In fact, I can pinpoint the worst heckle I got, and believe it or not, it wasn't getting dry-raped by a Nerf-missle.
I was setting up a bit on the repeal of DADT. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a HUGE supporter of LGBT rights, and I couldn't have been happier to see that horrible piece legislation finally disappear. For the bit, I had to go into a stereotypical "gay-voice" just to help illustrate how ridiculous the mindset of most DADT's supporters really was on the issue. Even though I tried to establish that I was on "team-tolerance" at the beginning of the bit, when I went into the voice someone instantly screamed: "Bigot!"
That... fucking... hurt.
I don't know. Maybe I didn't make it clear enough at the beginning that I was trying to lampoon intolerance, not support it. Maybe the guy who yelled it was just a douchebag looking for an easy opening. Maybe Heckler-Night was just NOT the right time to debut that joke. Maybe it's a combination of all those things, but it's probably the only comment I've received to this date that has really lingered with me.
I don't mind being called fat or nerdy or ugly or whatever generic, easy missive people may want to hurl at me. But being labeled as the very thing that I'm working against.... Man, I can't think of anything worse.
I'm trying not to dwell on it too much. You live and learn by your crash and burn, so it's just another lesson to take on. But still... it just makes me that much more horrified by what is on this tape.
But, nevertheless, I HAVE to watch it. I must. It's a harsh lesson, but it's probably the richest lesson I have on what I'm not currently achieving with my comedy. Plus, the longer it sits in the breast pocket of my jacket the larger of an "elephant-in-the-room" it becomes. It's going to be a hard watch, that's for certain, but I'm never going to progress in this business if I'm not willing to confront my mistakes head-on.
So, tonight, I'm going to pop a bag of Orville Redenbacher, clamp on my best pair of headphones, pull out my trusty red college rule notebook (a comic's best friend), and break this monstrosity apart. Sift through the wreckage and see if there are any survivors.
Some might say that you can only become your best after you've seen your worst. I guess you could say I'm lucky, in a way, given that most people's worst hasn't actually been captured in a m4v and can be easily pulled up at anytime.
Hopefully, I can learn from it. The best blessing out of all of this would be to have this be the worst bomb I ever endure. As bad as it was, it could always have gone worse. And if this is the worst it gets, I think I would still be pretty lucky compared to most comics.
Well... Here goes nothing!
(NOTE: Just to make it crystal clear, I will NOT be posting this video. EVER. I do kinda want to post a bomb one of these days just to highlight and analyze the whole experience of bombing, but this is not going to be that bomb. Given the circumstances it wouldn't be a good example. It was Heckler Night and people were specifically instructed to hate on the comics, so it's kind of a "tainted sample". I might try it for another bomb that strikes me as particularly interesting... or I may not. I haven't wholly decided yet. All I know is that this bomb is going to stay in the vault. Sorry folks.)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
"You Suck!" (Or: The Mating Call of the North American Douchebag)
Another week, another show cancelled due to weather. Hell, I'm starting to think Mother Nature just doesn't like comedy. (Though I am the genius who decided to restart his stand-up career smack dab in the middle of Blizzard Season.)
But it looks like Jack Frost has finally decided to chill the fuck out (See what I did there? Wokka-wokka.) and let us have a show this Wednesday. I'm at Be Here Now in Muncie again, so if you can make it I'd love to see you there! Seriously, come if you can. I'm really gonna need the support this week.
You see... It's Heckler Night.
I'm still not 100% precisely what that's going to entail, but the long-and-short of it is this: The audience is free to "comment" on the show in progress. Every comic fights to reap laughs out of a crowd, but this is one of those few moments where the audience is allowed to fight back.
I have to admit, I'm probably more nervous about this show than I have been about all of the others. Be Here Now was a GREAT crowd the first time I went up, but this will only be my 2nd time in front of them. They still don't really know me too well and this time out they're actually encouraged to rip me apart.
Hell, it's only Monday and I'm already freaked out.
I can't say I know much about this subject, though. Even during my most awful shows I've never had to deal with an actual heckler. Most of the clubs I've been to have never really exhibited much hostility. (Tons of indifference and ennui, but never hostility.) I guess in this profession that makes me lucky. It hurts to be up onstage and simply not receive a response, but to actually receive a negative outcry is a whole other monster entirely.
Then again, I'm not so lucky.
Hecklers are something every comedian has to deal with and I have yet to have any formal training with them. From the night club comic to the ballroom packing all-star; the heckler just comes with the trade. Honestly, I'm quite surprised that in all the small, dim rooms full of drunken people that I've had to entertain the tempers haven't flared up yet. It's not the best environment to be bored, inebriated and buried in the dark.
"I've had it with this tubby, Luke Skywalker lookin' wannabe. GO CRAWL BACK IN THE TAUNTAUN CARCASS YOU CAME FROM! (I don't know why I made him a Star Wars nerd. Just running with it.)
Like I said in the last major post, it's intimidating to be judged by anyone. Even in a face-to-face situation. Let alone by a large group of people who you don't even know you.
But it's never impossible to conquer the heckler, no matter what they may say about you. One of my personal favorite comedians, Patton Oswalt, has a great track on Werewolves and Lollipops where his entire bit becomes 100 times more hilarious because he had a heckler there to throw him off queue.
Listen for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDndsvjyIG4
(The heckler chimes in at around 4:03. Listen to the master at work.)
The best comics can integrate a heckler into their entire act and, not only win the audience back, but integrate an entirely new bit seamlessly into their set. When executed well, this can easily turn a potential show-killer into the funniest segment of the night.
Watch Zach Galifianakis do it. Another genius moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qy9KvDtI5w
Based on all of the comics I've seen, I think the biggest lesson I've taken away is this: When confronted with a heckler, the best thing to do is to make them uncomfortable. The whole "goal" of the heckler is to make the performer uneasy and to throw him/her off their game. They aren't satisfied with the job you're doing and, hence, feel a sense of superiority to you. Granted, there are a million reasons that might posses a person to heckle, but I feel like that one theme is consistent.
Listen to this guy. I could make up better material then him. Hell, I think I will.
Ugh, I've had enough of this guy. Maybe if I tell him to he'll get off the stage.
I'm filled with Jagermeister and self-hatred. Why wouldn't I yell "pussy" in this crowded theater?!
They think, as an audience member, they have the upper hand. The key to dismantling them is to remind them that they do not.
Often, the worst thing you can do is to completely ignore them. It might be a good idea to just let a small thing slide, but usually the heckler is someone who is either being blatantly rude or actively trying to disengage you. If you don't confront the threat dead-on it shows as a sign of weakness. It makes the audience think that you aren't prepared and can't think well on your feet.
When you're on that stage, that's your time. If someone came up to you at a cafe and took the sandwich off your plate you'd be inclined and expected to get it back, right? (Well, you'd at least make the guy/gal pay for another sandwich. God only knows where this douche/bitch has been.)
The same thing applies onstage. These assholes are trying to steal your time and you've gotta take it back. You have to at least try or else you're very likely to lose the whole night. No matter how well-prepared your material may be, if you've lost the crowd to a heckler their laughs are going to him. Not you.
I have some comebacks prepared, but I've never had a chance to use any of them so I don't know how it's going to fly. That's the problem with heckler bits; you can't really try them out until the worst happens. I've read that often the best approach is simply not to try and "be funny." Rather, it's recommended to simply note things about the heckler themselves and point them out.
He/She wants to put you on the spot so, instead, put him/her on the spot.
Usually hecklers aren't presenting a "well thought-out retort." They're just pissed off or bored and yelling the first thing that comes into their heads. These people don't put any thought into their actions.
See what I mean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZDtw1hEKfI
(NOTE: Buy/Rent this movie! The parts that Jamie Kennedy aren't in are absolutely spectacular.)
If you're in comedy or want to pursue comedy, chances are that you're a pretty witty person. People have probably complimented you on this, and if you've done some shows you've got a feel for how to convey that talent on the stage. Comics know better than to heckle, so you dont have to worry about them. (Well, most of them anyway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXjk1IorcPg)
My point is: YOU are the wittiest person speaking at that time.
Period.
You have no reason to feel intimidated by a heckler. You're a comedian; he's a douchebag in the third row. You have the nuggets to get up on stage; he doesn't. If he did, he'd be following or preceding you on that stage. Even if it's your first time up, you still have 1000 times more chutzpah just to get on than that stupid a-hole.
Like with that Zach Galifianakis clip, sometimes all you have to do is make them the center of attention and they cripple themselves. They want attention so bad. Give it to them. See what happens.
I'm frightened by this new challenge, but equally enthusiastic to take it on. Maybe I'll do well, maybe I won't. All I can do is prepare some retorts, keep my emotions in check (not that I'd ever pull a Michael Richards or anything, but it never pays to be very genuinely angry onstage), and be ready to learn from whatever happens.
You can't always win. Sometimes crowds can just suck. (http://new.music.yahoo.com/sklar-brothers/tracks/st-louis-bomb--184436177) But I've had a good experience with this club and I'm not worried about anything like that. Even if the worst does happen, I'm already prepared to pick myself up, dust myself off, and learn from what happens.
That's all you can do when you have to take the hits.
"You suck!"
No, actually, I don't.
(NOTE: I'm going to record the show, so depending on wht happens, good or bad, I might post it here. Stay tuned. I'll let ya know.)
But it looks like Jack Frost has finally decided to chill the fuck out (See what I did there? Wokka-wokka.) and let us have a show this Wednesday. I'm at Be Here Now in Muncie again, so if you can make it I'd love to see you there! Seriously, come if you can. I'm really gonna need the support this week.
You see... It's Heckler Night.
I'm still not 100% precisely what that's going to entail, but the long-and-short of it is this: The audience is free to "comment" on the show in progress. Every comic fights to reap laughs out of a crowd, but this is one of those few moments where the audience is allowed to fight back.
I have to admit, I'm probably more nervous about this show than I have been about all of the others. Be Here Now was a GREAT crowd the first time I went up, but this will only be my 2nd time in front of them. They still don't really know me too well and this time out they're actually encouraged to rip me apart.
Hell, it's only Monday and I'm already freaked out.
I can't say I know much about this subject, though. Even during my most awful shows I've never had to deal with an actual heckler. Most of the clubs I've been to have never really exhibited much hostility. (Tons of indifference and ennui, but never hostility.) I guess in this profession that makes me lucky. It hurts to be up onstage and simply not receive a response, but to actually receive a negative outcry is a whole other monster entirely.
Then again, I'm not so lucky.
Hecklers are something every comedian has to deal with and I have yet to have any formal training with them. From the night club comic to the ballroom packing all-star; the heckler just comes with the trade. Honestly, I'm quite surprised that in all the small, dim rooms full of drunken people that I've had to entertain the tempers haven't flared up yet. It's not the best environment to be bored, inebriated and buried in the dark.
"I've had it with this tubby, Luke Skywalker lookin' wannabe. GO CRAWL BACK IN THE TAUNTAUN CARCASS YOU CAME FROM! (I don't know why I made him a Star Wars nerd. Just running with it.)
Like I said in the last major post, it's intimidating to be judged by anyone. Even in a face-to-face situation. Let alone by a large group of people who you don't even know you.
But it's never impossible to conquer the heckler, no matter what they may say about you. One of my personal favorite comedians, Patton Oswalt, has a great track on Werewolves and Lollipops where his entire bit becomes 100 times more hilarious because he had a heckler there to throw him off queue.
Listen for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDndsvjyIG4
(The heckler chimes in at around 4:03. Listen to the master at work.)
The best comics can integrate a heckler into their entire act and, not only win the audience back, but integrate an entirely new bit seamlessly into their set. When executed well, this can easily turn a potential show-killer into the funniest segment of the night.
Watch Zach Galifianakis do it. Another genius moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qy9KvDtI5w
Based on all of the comics I've seen, I think the biggest lesson I've taken away is this: When confronted with a heckler, the best thing to do is to make them uncomfortable. The whole "goal" of the heckler is to make the performer uneasy and to throw him/her off their game. They aren't satisfied with the job you're doing and, hence, feel a sense of superiority to you. Granted, there are a million reasons that might posses a person to heckle, but I feel like that one theme is consistent.
Listen to this guy. I could make up better material then him. Hell, I think I will.
Ugh, I've had enough of this guy. Maybe if I tell him to he'll get off the stage.
I'm filled with Jagermeister and self-hatred. Why wouldn't I yell "pussy" in this crowded theater?!
They think, as an audience member, they have the upper hand. The key to dismantling them is to remind them that they do not.
Often, the worst thing you can do is to completely ignore them. It might be a good idea to just let a small thing slide, but usually the heckler is someone who is either being blatantly rude or actively trying to disengage you. If you don't confront the threat dead-on it shows as a sign of weakness. It makes the audience think that you aren't prepared and can't think well on your feet.
When you're on that stage, that's your time. If someone came up to you at a cafe and took the sandwich off your plate you'd be inclined and expected to get it back, right? (Well, you'd at least make the guy/gal pay for another sandwich. God only knows where this douche/bitch has been.)
The same thing applies onstage. These assholes are trying to steal your time and you've gotta take it back. You have to at least try or else you're very likely to lose the whole night. No matter how well-prepared your material may be, if you've lost the crowd to a heckler their laughs are going to him. Not you.
I have some comebacks prepared, but I've never had a chance to use any of them so I don't know how it's going to fly. That's the problem with heckler bits; you can't really try them out until the worst happens. I've read that often the best approach is simply not to try and "be funny." Rather, it's recommended to simply note things about the heckler themselves and point them out.
He/She wants to put you on the spot so, instead, put him/her on the spot.
Usually hecklers aren't presenting a "well thought-out retort." They're just pissed off or bored and yelling the first thing that comes into their heads. These people don't put any thought into their actions.
See what I mean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZDtw1hEKfI
(NOTE: Buy/Rent this movie! The parts that Jamie Kennedy aren't in are absolutely spectacular.)
If you're in comedy or want to pursue comedy, chances are that you're a pretty witty person. People have probably complimented you on this, and if you've done some shows you've got a feel for how to convey that talent on the stage. Comics know better than to heckle, so you dont have to worry about them. (Well, most of them anyway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXjk1IorcPg)
My point is: YOU are the wittiest person speaking at that time.
Period.
You have no reason to feel intimidated by a heckler. You're a comedian; he's a douchebag in the third row. You have the nuggets to get up on stage; he doesn't. If he did, he'd be following or preceding you on that stage. Even if it's your first time up, you still have 1000 times more chutzpah just to get on than that stupid a-hole.
Like with that Zach Galifianakis clip, sometimes all you have to do is make them the center of attention and they cripple themselves. They want attention so bad. Give it to them. See what happens.
I'm frightened by this new challenge, but equally enthusiastic to take it on. Maybe I'll do well, maybe I won't. All I can do is prepare some retorts, keep my emotions in check (not that I'd ever pull a Michael Richards or anything, but it never pays to be very genuinely angry onstage), and be ready to learn from whatever happens.
You can't always win. Sometimes crowds can just suck. (http://new.music.yahoo.com/sklar-brothers/tracks/st-louis-bomb--184436177) But I've had a good experience with this club and I'm not worried about anything like that. Even if the worst does happen, I'm already prepared to pick myself up, dust myself off, and learn from what happens.
That's all you can do when you have to take the hits.
"You suck!"
No, actually, I don't.
(NOTE: I'm going to record the show, so depending on wht happens, good or bad, I might post it here. Stay tuned. I'll let ya know.)
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