That said, it was a lot of fun. And terrifying. I couldn't stop shaking during the performance and I didn't stop until 20 minutes and two IPAs later.
It really was fun though. And I think I had some good stuff.
Afterwards, someone told me that I should consider getting involved with the Chicago comedy scene. "Chicago has a huge standup and improv scene," he said "and they have the Second City center here. It's where a bunch of famous comedians got started." I told him I would consider it. I didn't tell him that that's the reason I moved to Chicago three years ago and that I failed miserably to "make it" in the Chicago comedy scene.
But standup was exhilarating. It really was. It's such an adrenaline rush and afterwards everyone was congratulating me and thanking me. I kept getting more and more embarrassed.
Not to sound ungrateful or anything. Everyone's compliments were very much appreciated, but "You were so funny!" kinda loses its meaning after a while. Like when you say a word over and over and over until it sounds like you're speaking another language.
I think I might want to continue with standup. It was fun and it'll help with my presentation skills and... I like being funny. It feels like validation. Redemption, even.
Not that one good standup set will make up for the dozens of failed improv auditions I've endured over the years, but... Any success feels good at this point.
I'll stop rambling though. Here. Judge for yourselves.
Sorry for the quality of the video. I know you can't really see me, but you can hear me and that's what matters, right?
You, my friend, are hilarious. I consider myself a comedy enthusiast, I tend to listen to comedy at my desk job instead of music, and have thus herd a large amount of comedy. You are very funny, your structure is good. I think that the style of one-liners and very short stories fits the type of humor that you are using.
ReplyDeleteThe poem bit worked wonderfully, as I am sure you heard, and your set was ordered quite well. Every joke made me laugh out loud.
One thing that I would like to say is that you speak very quickly. I am not sure if it is the nerves, or you general pace, but I think you would do just a bit better if you slowed down a bit.
I hope you make it big, and if you do, please come to Baltimore, MD, so that I can see you. At least put out a few more YouTube videos so that I can hear your jokes can continue to fill me with mirth.
Your fan,
Collin Stewart
Ah, thanks, man! I really, really appreciate this. Yeah, the pace was definitely more nerves than anything else. Someone also told me that I need to leave more time for people to laugh at the jokes, and I guess those are things that are just going to come with time.
DeleteI've been writing a few more jokes, but not enough to have another set yet (and I don't want to do the same set twice). Been focusing more on work at the moment because I just started a new job, but your comment has def gotten me fired up about writing and performing more. I'll def let you know the next time I post some of my standup online. Also, I'd love to visit Baltimore.
Seriously, thanks again for the encouragement! It means a lot. :)