In a previous post, I mentioned how the 2 girls who pushed me to write a sitcom episode hadn’t been getting back to me. Yesterday my worst fears were confirmed when Catrina called and informed me they were opting out of the project. This really bothered me, but I got back on the horse today.
While driving to get a cup of coffee and planning to look for new ways to break into the screenwriting community, I decided to take a giant leap out of my comfort zone. I looked up “Stand up comedy open mic” on my smartphone and found a bar offering just that not too far away.
I drove over and took the initiative to meet a few of the stand-up comics before they performed their sets.
The main person I talked to was a comic by the name of Brian Mathews. I asked him a variety of questions, and as I had hoped, he led me in the right direction.
I learned that it is typical for a new stand-up comic to bomb during their first 6 months of performances (a lesson I would confirm a short while later). More importantly, he informed me that it takes, on average, about 2 years before you start getting paid to perform.
Even then, the pay is not great – 25 bucks for a set is the standard rate, while a full 45 minutes of material may net you $75. While this may sound like a great hourly rate, it’s easy to overlook the fact that such a long set would take hours and hours to prepare.
Nevertheless, I’m happy I got to talking with him. One of my biggest goals for the new year is to meet more people with similar aspirations to my own. Networking has always been an area I’ve avoided, but I’m convinced it is necessary if I’m going to make any sort of career in the entertainment industry.
Posted below is a short clip from Titus Jones’ set. He was hilarious and kept the crowd laughing the entire time he had the mic. Check him out and tell your friends.
- Thomas M. Watt
Thomas M. Watt 
You have serious guts my friend. I write, I put that out there. But stand up comedy would be like doing it naked. wow.
Haha! Great analogy. Trust me, it wasn’t easy, and I bombed pretty bad. I’m just trying to get out of my comfort zone, and felt this was something that would force me to do that.
Like I always say, “Everyone and everything is a stepping stone to who you need to be with and to where you need to be.” Enjoy the steps in finding people who are the perfect fit for your project, and most definitely enjoy the steps to your ultimate success!!!
Smart advice. I need to apply that daily, too often I misjudge the purpose of events and people in my life. Thank you, Mariska!
Wow! Way to go. Enjoy the moments.
Thank you! I will Jacqueline.
Standup comedy is hard. I opted out of a relationship with an unfunny comic. It lasted less than six months. That personal aside aside, I feel it for you with the young ladies choosing to decline the project. I can say that I have plenty of experience having people urge me to do something and then fail to show up. I once suffered serious physical injury while preparing for one project. My advice? Do what you’re planning on your own time and don’t commit to anything unless the other person is also contributing or you have a contract. Ignore verbal requests and in fact treat them as sincere compliments and nothing more.
That’s some great advice! In tomorrow’s post, I will mention that Catrina informed me that her grandmother had died, and this was the primary reason she dropped out. She now says she is once again willing to participate in it. I express my regret for judging her so quickly. Nothing has changed with her friend.
I completely agree with you. One trait that many people seem to share is a desire to involve themselves with events and persons who can, in some way or another, benefit them sociologically. I must add that I don’t believe truly creative individuals share this perspective, however.
You raise some good points about requiring more from those who volunteer for projects that require a substantial amount of effort from me. It’s utterly confounding that anyone would break a verbal agreement they originally pushed for. I’m going to remember your guiding words in the future. Thank you, Sabiscuit!
I’m glad I could be of help. I am hopeful for a successful outcome for your project in the meantime. Warrm wishes for the year ahead. xo
Thank you, Sabiscuit! I should be filming a ton next week, so I’ll keep you updated!
I hope everything works out well for you 🙂 Same thing applies to your sitcom project 🙂 Someone told me that Stand-Up comedy is slightly easier If someone writes the jokes for you. I do not know If that is true, but I felt like giving you some always welcome words of encouragement 🙂 Anyway, I hope you have a Happy New Year and I plan on visiting and leaving a comments on this site in 2016 🙂 Keep up the great work as always 🙂
Thank you John! You may be right – I got up there and delivered jokes that fell on deaf ears. I’m going to have to prepare before I get on stage again, and definitely will practice before a live audience. Delivering a punchline with good comedic timing takes practice!
Looking forward to hearing from you next year, John!