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I'd like to recommend the series of videos that veteran Irish comedian Ed Byrne made for FHM as part of their Stand Up Hero contest. They cover aspects such as wording jokes, how to conduct yourself on stage, and so on. Polishing a gag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4gYZ-godl8 Gag structure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeP0Omvvmjs Acing the debut https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8c2cstqhhA Where to look on stage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHTWkb64j2Q Finding your style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO0yP9ntU0Y Style refinement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPhJ1nJPFuM Making it big (this one is quite UK-centric) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExSypRWsoiA As for me, I've got a few decent jokes that make my friends laugh and the details of some decent open-mic nights in London that I'll be chasing up in January. The advice in this thread is great and definitely makes me feel a lot more confident about performing myself. 
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Dec 18, 2012 01:53
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| # ¿ Apr 30, 2024 07:47 |
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Symptomless Coma posted:Out of interest, have you been to any open mic nights just to watch yet? If you have, you'll see the most comforting-yet-terrifying sight there is: there are some really bad people out there. And it didn't stop them! On the first open-mic night I went to as a punter, one of the acts was this slovenly-looking guy. He wore a black t-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms and looked as though that was his sleeping outfit of choice. He got onstage, told a few lame jokes that elicited little more than a couple of sympathy laughs, then asked a girl in the front row to join him on-stage. When she got up, he proceeded to strip down to his underwear and make increasingly-awkward passes at this girl, who was clearly terrified. And the jokes? Let's just say the only moment that got a laugh from the entire audience was when somebody pointed at the black boxers he was wearing and shouted "PISS STAIN!!!" at full volume. So yeah, QMM, don't worry about ducking the bar for open-mic nights. There isn't one.
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Jan 9, 2013 23:33
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I've just booked my first-ever gig. It's in March which should give me plenty of time to write. Not gonna lie, I'm a bundle of nerves and it's still a month and a half away. How did you guys cope with "OH GOD I'M GONNA GO ON STAGE, WHAT DO I DO" nerves?
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Jan 17, 2013 00:35
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Greek Tragedy posted:It sort of depends on what the situation is. Have you literally never been on stage before? or do you mean "OH GOD I'M GOING TO GO ON STAGE IN FRONT OF A LEGIT PAYING AUDIENCE" nerves?
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Jan 17, 2013 02:46
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It's a comedy night for new/untested performers - I've been to it before. I've put myself down for a 5 minute slot. The only real difference (in terms of people) is that you pre-book via email rather than turning up at 6pm on the night and putting your name down. It's not a paid gig - although performers get free drinks  I'm going back to that open-mic place I previously mentioned next Tuesday to get a slot there too. I should have elaborated on this earlier but it was rather late.
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Jan 17, 2013 13:40
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Mine's coming up on Wednesday. I'm terrified already. What if nobody laughs?  Thing is, I'm trying to treat it as a learning exercise, but I'm still absolutely quaking.
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Mar 5, 2013 00:53
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| # ¿ Apr 30, 2024 07:47 |
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So it turns out I'm capable of writing a decent (albeit short - I think I hit the 3:30 mark) set. Most of my 'good' jokes got a decent laugh from the room. I hadn't exactly been shy in letting people know that I was a first-timer (it was a very nice venue full of lovely people). Whoever said your mind goes blank when you get onstage was spot-on though - I'd been reading and rereading my notes all through the night, but completely forgot everything when I stepped up. I had to keep referring to my notebook which was kinda embarrassing. One of the other guys just told me afterwards that that comes with practice. In conclusion: material is fine (though the more the merrier obviously), but my delivery needs practice. All in all, a great experience for me. The two guys that run the night even thanked me for choosing their evening for my first gig. 
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Mar 7, 2013 00:25
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