Becoming a Well Known Comedian
Are you a regular laugh riot at get togethers? Do you dream of being on the big stage or seeing your name up in lights? Comedians can command huge crowds, laughter and money, just look at Richard Pryor! What you may not know is there are tons of comics who never hit the big time and if you want a fan base, invitations to comedy clubs and festivals there are a few things you can do to increase your odds.
Develop Your Talent
Most people have a funny moment once in a while, but if you are going to make a profession out of it, you are going to need more than a moment or two. Professionals practice their talent and then practice it some more! The good news is you do not need an audience to get started; all you need is your talent and a mirror. Practice delivering your lines and watch your facial expressions, are they funny? Examine your appearance; is there something about your hair, face or general appearance you can make a joke about? Now you are ready for open mic nights!
Open Mic
The first stop on your comedic journey will be open mic nights around town. These will be more prevalent in larger cities. As you attend open mics in your area, you will begin to develop a fan base and perhaps even a following. This means you are on your way to the big leagues, but do not get complacent, you will have to constantly improve your talent and come up with new material.
Material
Some well-known comics have the luxury of writers, when you are first starting out this is probably not going to be an option. This means you need to be on constant look out for new jokes. One really good way to accomplish this feat is to always have a notebook or recording device available. You never know when inspiration is going to hit so don’t be caught without a way to record it! Remembering a joke, situation or one-liner until you get home is going to be difficult.
Subjects
Modern comedy really has no limits in subject matter. Nothing is truly off limits, especially when you have made a name for yourself. One thing you might want to keep in mind is your personal brand. Some comics are a no holds barred type of performer while others determine from the outset that they will not use vulgar language. Basically, you may want to create boundaries based completely on your beliefs or personality. This is not a given, but it is something you will want to think about. Take Eddie Murphy, for example, in the early days of his career, his routines were easily R rated, but today you can find him performing in a variety of family friendly movies. He determined to change his brand, and it worked, but not everyone is so lucky in that respect!
Conclusion
Becoming a comedian, especially a popular one, is not the easiest thing in the world to do. However, if it is your dream there is no reason why you shouldn’t pursue it! As with anything in life you must be prepared for setbacks and even rejection, but if you stay focused and persistent you can have a great career.
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