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).

Hi everyone! I am creating a brand new clown festival in Brisbane, Australia. www.brisbaneclownfestival.com.au

Was listening to a podcast today and it said something about when you get stuck, you need to return to your creative practice, and it made me think it would be a good topic to start here. I try to do my creative work in two phases-- in the morning just after I have woken up and I am still in the dreamy phase (and I often find that I have great ideas in the shower, so I try to write them down and noodle them. I try to do my business stuff in the afternoon (when it's morning in the states) I also have an afternoon energy burst around 4-6 pm, and I try to get some writing or rehearsing in then. If it's a performance day, that sometimes gets cut into if I have to drive/get ready. And sometimes I don't have that burst, so it doesn't happen. On the weekends, I typically spend Sunday mornings at a cafe writing. So what's your practice? How do you get better at what you do?

I would love for you to ask some specific questions here about clowning, comedy, booking, marketing your work, etc. I will answer them as best as I can, and possibly feature the question on a new series I am starting on my Instagram…

So glad you made it to our little corner of Skool. Hoping that you will enjoy yourself here and have a great time connecting with other comedians, clowns, funny makers, and those that just want to know more about how the comedy is made. Feel free to take a look around, start a topic, respond to a topic, or in all other ways make yourself at home! I haven’t been as great a welcoming committee as I could be, but want to welcome some new members to the community! @Erol Chandler @Teddy Bess @Stewart Quinn @Reese Lanay @Rich Potter All of you have joined in the last 3 weeks or so. Thanks for joining! I am a little slow to start some conversations, so thanks for bearing with me. (I am also traveling/touring over the next 2 weeks, so bear with that as well!) Feel free to start a topic, ask questions, or go through some of the old content and see if anything grabs you. Also, if there’s something specific that you are looking for in terms of guidance, ask a question, and I will answer it if I can! Best! Adam