Notes I always give my beginner's students - part 2

Here is the long awaited (!) Part 2 to Notes I give my beginner’s students (that can help everyone). For fun I have included the people pleasing thing I usually say 😇 and what I’d sometimes like to say 😈.

Part 1 is here

Notes I consistently give to my beginner students - Part 1

1. 😇 Slow down
   😈 I only caught half of that and now I’m going to pretend I got it all
   Remember that your audience might not be native English speakers, it’s also generally harder to understand people through a microphone. Speaking fast is usually a sign of nerves. Slow down, and pause for laughter.

2. 😇 This is from day 1, time to write something new
   😈 This wasn’t funny the first time
   Especially when you’re a beginner, the new stuff you write will always be better than the old stuff so keep on writing! Don’t cling on to old stuff. So many experienced comics do this and it beggars belief they want to trot out some 6 year old set rather than “risk” new material. Always Be Comedy-writing!

   

3. 😇 That reference is not universal
   😈 The US is not the default country
   It’s a mistake to think your audience is just like you. Humans are similar on an emotional level, but on a cultural level we are wildly different. I’ve heard of Beyonce, obviously, but I almost know nothing about her. That doesn’t mean don’t mention her. But remember that you’re talking to people that aren’t so have fun educating the plebs! This is the same for specific country things, products and shops. Some people have never been to Target.

   

   Rings a bell

4. 😇 That made me feel bad
   😈 I hope this is just a crap joke and you are not an actual bigot
   I mostly give people the benefit of the doubt when they say offensive shit on-stage in class. It’s usually the urge to be edgy, and say edgy things because you think it’ll make you just like your hero, 30 year comedy veteran Bill Burr. Saying edgy stuff isn’t funny, jokes are funny.
   It’s not always edge-lords. Sometimes your self-deprecating joke is also perpetuating a harmful stereotype.

   If you're offending your audience, write better jokes

5. 😇 I’ve heard this kind of thing a lot, make it original by telling us your story
   😈 I’ve seen this meme 3 times, today
   I don’t generally think people mean to steal jokes, I just think it’s a lack of effort and a lack of experience. After a while you get a feel for what’s been done before and what’s more original. Adding specificity and personal examples makes things more original.

   Specificity, the key to originality

6. 😇 What exactly is this about? Give it a heading.
   😈 I zoned out
   Sometimes a student will just present a load of random waffle as material. Sometimes a bit will be almost right, but it is somehow confusing. Don’t get me wrong, I love a creative tangent, if it serves the joke. I love a “Family Guy cutaway”, but you can’t confuse your audience.

   

   If you watch professional comedians, even if they are very surreal, you always know exactly what they are talking about. Use headings to chop your material in to clear sections.
   

   This editing technique is guaranteed to instantly make you the best comedian in the world