10d • General discussion
Your entrance is vitally important.
People will often say that for a job interview, the first 5 seconds are the most important. I could not agree more, especially when it comes to comedy. How you enter the stage, and the first couple of things you do, BEFORE YOU SPEAK tell stories to the audience about who you are, what they should expect, and whether or not they are going to enjoy the next 5-7 minutes.
I was recently at an open mic where I was asked to give feedback to the mostly beginning comedians after each 3 minute bit. Of the seven comedians, 5 rushed their opening moment, 2 of them didnt look at the audience, and 3 of them started with their hands in their pockets. One took her time with the opening (she was listening to the feedback I gave the other comics) and but then waited a little too long before starting, and let the moment pass.
Most people should start with energy and positivity. Being friendly, relaxed, ready to engage. Hands out of pockets, open, engaged.Eyes alert. Look at the audience.
I am not saying that EVERY comedian has to start here Some people can start at a negative energy and pull it off. Gilbert Gottfried, Sam Kinison, Lewis Black, Steven Wright come to mind as guys who dont start with a positive energy. And there are other people that have distinctive or even negative habits that they start with, and they manage to make it work for them.
Two things about this:
• When they enter they are very directed and channeling energy that makes people watch and pay attention. It's part of their charisma.
(There's a funny bit in this video https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRFUFS1kTnQ/ where Liam Niessen is trying to improvise comedy with Ricky Gervais, and he keeps on bringing up things like famine and Aids. The director Stephen Merchant says maybe avoid those subjects. Niesen says "How can Ricky Gervais do it, and get away with it." To which the director "No one knows." Some people can get away with it. But guess what, you, the beginning comedian, are probably not the exception).
• When I started at Ringling Clown College, nearly everyone when designing their costume was "I want a black and white suit, like Charlie Chaplin, and a black hat, like Charlie Chaplin, and very little makeup, like Charlie Chaplin. One of the instructors said, "Hey, you need to EARN that plain black suit. Until you do, start off with something that says I am funny, even before you have proved it to the audience."
My point being, those guys that can succeed without starting well have earned it. Make it easier on yourself. When you are starting out, start easy, and work towards the difficult. Do not start with the deck stacked against you.
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Your entrance is vitally important.
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