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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I've noticed that the funniest parts of my stand up show at the jokes that occur organically.
Rather then gags or puns or one-liners, the parts of the show that get the biggest laughs are the parts that grow naturally from the situations that I find myself in. For example - if you say "Write your name on the note. It is illegal....that's why I get you to write YOUR name not mine." the reponse is weak." However, if the spectator says "isn't that illegal" and you REPLY "that's why I asked to you write your name not mine." the laugh is much, much bigger. The joke (which is weak) becomes an off the cuff remark, a genuine response to the situation and not 'a bit' So when I tried to use one-liners in the style of many magicians they would fall flat because the humour was forced. Obviously people like Steven Wright do one-liner comedy very well....I don't. So now I am going throug the process of refining the humour in my act to make it more organic. |
Mike T Loyal user 228 Posts |
That's a really good point.
So you're going to arm yourself with some very well thought out, pre-planned, pre-arranged SPONTANEOUS, one-liners? Best, Mike
It's times like this I wish I'd listened to what my Grandad used to say...
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SeaDawg Special user The Lunatic Fringe 718 Posts |
Very astute observation. Sometimes we have to take what the situation is giving us and then work it. Some guys try to hard to force the situation and it comes off very contrived,flat and ill timed.
I sometimes use a line out of the Pirate Articles... If any man comes across a prudent women and offers to meddle with her, he shall meet clear and present death. If I sense that the byplay is there... I will add, and if there are any imprudent women looking to be meddled with, see me after the show.....
Crazy people take the psycho-path thru the forest...
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-10-28 07:26, Mike T wrote: Exactly! |
sniper1 Veteran user malta eu 343 Posts |
Had written about his somwhere already , but let me say it again
its a technique called memorized adlibs . practically , there are to ways to train this type of technique , technique one is memorize a spontaneous situation which happens during your show and gets lots of laughter . example in the middle of the performance someones cellular phone rings , and you spontanously , stop the show go next to the person who answers the phone , wait for him to finish the call , and then you sequester his mobile and tell him that is he is good for the rest of the show you will hand it over after you finish ( this situation happened to get you a lot of laughter ) so what you do is you memorize this situation in the back of your head for future reference just in case it happens again , you will find that you will on instinct repeat the same thing again technique no 2 requires a bit more tought , practically what you have to do is sit down , and start thinking about situations which might arise during your show and how you should respond if they happen , or past situations which happened during your show and you didn't know how to respond at that time , and write down and memorize as much as you can of these situations so you will have a ready response up your sleeve just in case they happen , here are some examples of the questions you have to ask yourself what shall I do if someones phone rings during the middle of the show ? what shall I do if someone walks infront of the performing area during the middle of the show what shall I do if someone stands up and starts to walk out ? what shall I do if someone walks in during your show ? what shall I do if someone starts talking to the guy next to him during the show ? what shall I do if a group of burglars busts in during the middle of the show ? ( heyyyyyyy you , yes youuuuuuu the guy holding the shotgun and wearing a ski mask , would you like to pick a card please ????) ect ect hope this helps out to all of you out there . to learn more about this watch different performances of gazzo in action and you will understand what I mean . he has a response up his sleeve to nearly every possibile situation which can happen during his show
THE MOST CRAZY MAGICIAN ON THE MALTESE ISLANDS
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thecardtrick New user Northern NJ 72 Posts |
Nicholas J. Johnson,
That is a sound observation, of course. However, it is possible to deliver prepared one-liners organically. Like it's a thought that just popped into your head - something natural in your train of thought, as opposed to "listen to me force this joke." For my style, I might try "Write your name on the note, here. That's it ... perfect. ... I would write my name, but I found out it's illegal. This way I don't have to worry about that any more ..." Another idea would be to study their face, and pretend to see concern. Act. Say, "Oh no, you're worried this is illegal, aren't you?" (all of a sudden, they really are worried. pause. let it build in and become an organic part of the moment) "It is, but you don't have to worry. Since we're using your name I won't get in trouble." Surely this isn't anything new for anyone, but sometimes seeing it spelled out like this can help. Or not. Good luck with your organic comedy, thecardtrick PS sniper1 -- cool idea. We should start a thread of adlibs for different situations. |
sniper1 Veteran user malta eu 343 Posts |
Yeah forgot to mention that , sometimes I do lead and manipulate people to give me the type of response that I want .
in your example , I would stop and hesitate , and say something along the lines , sorry did you say something ( which might help get the proper responce ) if not don't worry , I say it for them , or to be exact I put it out as if it was what they were thinking example " ohh you are worring cause you heard that this could be illegal , don't worry about it , I'm not ,but then again that's why ive had you sign your name across the bill , in fact the guy over there looks like he is already dialing 911 . ect ect
THE MOST CRAZY MAGICIAN ON THE MALTESE ISLANDS
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Somewhere this week I read or heard..
Well crafted joke vs audience included both getting the same level of laughter. I used to go for the first, now I welcome and lead or welcome the true impromptu nature of the later. The later gets the audience feeling as one. ....Priceless. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Zamboni New user Australia 59 Posts |
Watching a play is considered live entertainment in comparison to movies. But how much more live is it for the performance to be affected and changed by the audience itself. This is happening right now, one time only!
Real spontenaity is expressed by performance such as theatresports and we can practise being open to the offers our audiences or prop/theatre circumstances provide. Ortiz also talks about planned spontenaity which is artificial but played well gives the impression of the above. He also coins the term 'induced response' where a situation is created that is too tempting for the audience member and a funny or astounding response is ready for their action. However nothing beats being organic instead of canned as you suggest Nicholas because its also much more interesting for us! |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Back in the 80's my work with Comedy Sportz(similar to Theatre Sports) still is helpful to my programs today.
Of course to make a line one has been using for 1, 2 or 1000 times seem uttered for the first time....priceless. Timing, facial expression, placement, tone, pitch...go into the word or line that can elevate it. Harrissssssssssssssssssssss
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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