How to be an "Authentic Comedian"
A great starting point for new readers, and a useful summary for oldies
Hey gang. This is my first “Lay out your case” article. Its a starting point for new subscribers, and a Golden Girls clip show for previous subscribers.
What the heck is an “Authentic Comedian”?
An authentic comedian is a comedian that:
Uses their natural way of speaking to deliver their material.
Uses their real life and emotions to inspire material.
Writes material that is truthful at it’s core.
Writes material that’s based on the essence of being alive, therefore it doesn’t feel dated or alienating.
Writes material primarily for themselves, but makes it accessible for their audience through good writing.
Is a dumb goof and proud of it.
You can read more about it here:
How can you be an Authentic Comedian?
By reading my Substack of course *gestures to all of it*. Here’s my 6 week beginner’s class to get you started.
Or I can do 1 on 1 online coaching. Or you can take a class with me in Berlin, Germany at www.berlinstandupschool.com.
TL;DR version?
Don’t edit your writing at first, just free write
no matter how stupid and insignificant you think you sound.Figure out who you are and how you feel
Write feeling first, not joke first
Most jokes have been done. But you feeling a feeling about something specific and writing in detail about what you think is funny about that has not been done.Give your idea a concise “clickbait” heading and use this to write more jokes
AKA find the game of your joke and use it to write more jokes.Use “afterthought” to write more jokes
Expand out the world of your jokeBe specific (be-be specific!)
Edit your ideas to make them into killer jokes
What so great about this “Authentic Comedy” of yours?
Writing is way easier
An authentic comedian finds it much easier to write material, because they just free write about their lives and let the jokes come to them. The more they practice, the more they learn how to recognise a spark of a funny idea, and tease it out in to a funny longer bit.
Here are some writing exercises to get you started(sorry, all my exercises are paywalled. Bitches gotta eat!)
You ain’t no stinking hack!
Hacks focus on easy jokes and triggering subjects, usually because they are afraid the world will reject them for who they are, or they’re just boring.
You’ll rarely feel like a fraud
Some comedians create a persona or character that is not their authentic selves. This might serve them well for a few years but after a while it starts to grate. You’re kind of stuck with this suit that doesn’t fit any more.
Online comedy coaching
I do 1 on 1 classes and coaching sessions for stand-up comedians - Email
Teaching plugs Berlin
My Autumn classed have all sold out! Join a waiting list or the Telegram group to find out when I have more www.berlinstandupschool.com
Show plugs Berlin
Wed 25.09.24 @ 9.30pm - Tales Held Dear - Role-playing meets improv - Link
Thu 26.09.24
8pm - Teacher’s Pet - CCB Teachers do improv - Link
9.30pm - Daisy Chain - Improv by queers - LinkFri 27.09.24
8pm - House Show - Improv with Funfdollar - Link
9.30pm - Vidprov - YouTube inspired improv - LinkSat 28.09.24 - The Berlin News Quiz - Comedy panel show - Link
World Wide Web Plugs
Berlin Stand-Up School - berlinstandupschool.com
Linktree - carolineclifford.com
dear caroline,
great piece as always!
love this: "An authentic comedian is a comedian that...
Writes material primarily for themselves, but makes it accessible for their audience through good writing."
also love the phrase "a dumb goof"!
thanks for sharing!
love,
a dumb goof
PS this is a lot of fun (and resonant!): "Be specific (be-be specific!)"