Angel's Work

Being nice is second nature for me. I say “second nature” because at my core, I can be described as “nasty, brutish, and short.” Some are born nice, while others are nice because they’re repentant. I’m one of the repentant.

Although I have other reasons why I aspire to be a comic, doing Angel’s Work is at the top of the list. For me, comedy is a great way to tell God “sorry” for all the dumb stuff I did in the past. Every set is an opportunity to replace pain with laughter. This intent of “doing good” is reflected by my comedy that flirts with the inappropriate from time to time but never crosses the line to shock comedy category. I know the difference between teasing and bullying and I make certain that my comedy does not come off as mean spirited.

In my opinion, the only thing better than making strangers laugh is making them laugh for charitable causes! I hope by now people know that I’m willing to help out in fundraisers. And this is of course leads me to this plug – on Saturday, January 21^st, I will be performing at a variety show benefitting Philippines and the victims of the recent typhoon that devastated the country.

This Benefit for Typhoon Sendong Victims show is extra special for a couple reasons. Firstly, the show is only my second show in front of a predominantly Filipino crowd and I will take this opportunity to dress up my material with some of my tourist-Tagalog. I understand my mother tongue easily, especially if it’s something that my parents would yell at me for doing something I shouldn’t. However, speaking Tagalog is a completely different beast, so the challenge should be fun.

The second reason why I’m looking forward to this show is that it’s going to be inside a church. As I stated earlier, my material likes to flirt with disaster without getting in shock comedy. That said, I’m far from being a squeaky clean comic. Removing the cursing is not an issue because when you listen closely to my material, you will realize that I rarely swear. Part of my effectiveness as a comic is my ability to talk about dirty things without making the audience feel dirty. If my style is blue, it’s more of baby blue.

So, this Saturday night at Broadway Church, I will have an opportunity to perform in front of an audience, some of them with families directly affected by the typhoon. It is my duty to take away the pain (even if it’s momentary) and replace with laughter. I’m planning on using my tourist Tagalog and keeping my set as clean as possible.

Wings, don’t fail me now!

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Part 2

Looking Forward to Comedy 2012

In 2007, I met a lot of great guys starting out in the Vancouver Comedy scene. We saw each other’s ambitions and supported each other’s raw talents in rooms like Zawa, Wired Bean, Myles of Bean, etc. In the four and half years since, our numbers dwindled. Some left comedy because they realized their talent couldn’t cash in the cheques their ambitions were writing. Others left out of sheer frustration of the process. And a few of us left because other priorities began to trump their comedic dreams. At the end of 2012, will I be the next to go?

I have never started a year with so much doubt regarding my future in comedy. When I started comedy in 2007, I had a good job and a great girlfriend. This year, I’m starting comedy with a great job and a great wife. I’m at a stage of my life where I have to decide between my boyhood dreams and more adult responsibilities.

This year, I have to do more to justify continuing the dream. There’s more to improving than more stage time and increased paid gigs. I have to challenge myself to be better in all aspects. I have to write better, perform better, interact with the audience better, and network with other comics better. I need to step up to every challenge that crosses my path whatever that may be.

If I don’t feel that I made myself into a significantly better comic at the end of 2012, I am done.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Comedy Review 2011

In the past 4 years that I have done a personal comedy review, I recall the promise I made to myself – as long as I continue to develop, I will continue pursuing the dream of becoming a citizen of the Nation of Professional Comics. As it relates to 2011, it is debatable whether or not I developed as a comic.

If I were to base my opinions on stats alone, I regressed in 2011. I logged about 3.5 hours less this past year than I did in 2010. Consequently, my lack of stage time also led to a drop in earnings of approximately 33%. (Not at all a big issue since the number is sooooo small!) Another surprising development was a difficulty in getting spots. I had no issue getting spots at Lafflines or Comedy Mix, but the pubs and coffee shops that had comedy eluded me in 2011.

On the other hand, there are some stats that I can share that shows development. In 2011, I thought I gained much needed experience working the weekend crowd. On May 12^th – 14^th, I did my first weekend gig at Comedy Mix. From Thursday to the late show on Saturday, I registered times of 14.25, 18.28, 19.46, 21.40, and 22.05. With the exception of the Thursday set which was cut short because of a drop in comic, I can see the progression that I made in regards to relaxing and taking my time. Sure there were minor adjustments made regarding the set lists, but all in all I found it to be a successful venture.

In regards to Lafflines, they have continued to support my growth by feeding me a couple weekends to work on longer sets. The best set I’ve ever done for them happened on December 16^th when I did my first set at the theatre room. For just over 23min, I had one of my best sets of the year to a crowd of 300 people. It was a show full of corporate dinner parties and I rocked it, mixing in a little bit of crowd work with my regular set.

Another encouraging sign of growth relates to my hosting abilities. I only hosted twice this year but I think on both occasions, I was able to demonstrate the growing comfort level with being the setup man to the comics. On the second hosting job I did this year, I think I took a moment to listen to the sets and come back on the mic with something witty to say regarding the last comic. I think there is much to be said in communicating to the audience that you are also invested in the show.

As far as the creative process is concerned, I believe that I did grow in 2011. It’s difficult to articulate but I think my experience has given me the ability to see more clearly where “the funny” is. I’m also getting better at stripping away the excess of the joke. Before it would take me a few sets to realize that a particular joke had excess wordage. This year, I have been more efficient in assessing the jokes. I have learned the valuable lesson – sometimes less is more.

At the end of 2010, I was working on a collection of jokes which I can probably name Surrey Set – Costco Preggers, PJ Hooker, and White Wedding. I ended up giving up on these jokes because they were sexually themed which I want to get away from and there wasn’t much of a redemptive quality to them. The PJ Hooker joke, in particular, was seen as mean spirited and insensitive by a pro that I have a great respect for. I might bring it back, if I’m able to clean it up somehow. In all honesty, however, revising it is very low on my list of priorities.

Throughout 2011, I thought I did a good job in developing new jokes. Jokes that I was able to develop and add to my catalogue were Call Centre, Shawshank, Slashing, and Incapable which added a meager 5min. However, I take pride in that these were the type of jokes that I was looking to add – non-sexual in nature. Other jokes that I introduced in 2011 that I will continue to work on are LMS which needs expansion and Copy Sales which needs cleaning.

So, to answer the all important question that determines whether or not I continue on for another year – did I improve as a comic?

Yes, I did … by the slimmest of margins.

A Nice Guide to Beginner’s Comedy

Personal Background

I first performed at a comedy club in February 1993 and continued to do it off and on for the next ten years. Since my focus was either on university or employment, I came to realize that comedy was a hobby. Although I received compliments and support from one or two pros back then, I came to understand that my hobby was taking away time from people who wanted to do comedy for a living. So, instead of asking for spots to fill up my calendar, I would go up only when I really missed it which would minimize the stage time I was taking away from people serious about comedy.

Although I pursued other writing interests, I would always come back to comedy. Every time I would see a comic on TV that sucked, I thought to myself “what if?” Then one day in 2007, I realized that in 20 years, I could be asking myself “what if?” and it scared the shit out of me. So, I decided to go for it in summer of 2007. I told myself to keep going until I stop improving. Whether it took 3 months or 10 years to hit my plateau, I would stop at point. I can rest in knowing that I tried my best.

The past three and half years have buzzed by and I can claim to have experienced both successes and failures. I have passed a few people who started before me, and I’ve also been passed by people who started after me. I have been able to earn invitations to the past two Vancouver Comedyfests, been paid by both local comedy clubs, but I’ve never been invited to go on the road. I’ve made some smart choices that led to great opportunities, as well as poor ones that dropped me down a few notches in the pecking order. In a nut shell, I’ve been able to accomplish a couple things in comedy, but still definitely far from being a seasoned pro.

Before I dispense my advice, I must admit I do feel weird about giving it. I can only share what I've learned in three years. I do not know it all. My advice only touches on your approach to the comedy community and "making your way" through it.

Material

- FOCUS ON 5 MINUTES

- Squeeze in as many laughs as you possibly can in the 5min

- 5min is the usual amount of time you will receive for the first few months of being a comic.

Getting Spots

- BE POLITE.

- Always include “please” and “thank you”.

- There is a fine line between persistent and pestering. Do not pester.

- No more than one email per week per booker. Not only are they receiving your request, they’re receiving requests from everybody else in the community.

At the Venue

- NEVER EVER DISRESPECT THE SHOW.

- Shut the f**k up then watch and learn.

- If you need to talk, go to the back of the room and speak in hushed tones.

- Unless you have a pressing matter to attend to, always stick around till the end of the show. There are lessons to be learned in each set, especially the headliner.

- Always thank the booker before you leave.

Politics

- EVERY WORK SPACE HAS POLITICS, COMEDY IS NO DIFFERENT

- DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN IT. IGNORE IT TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY.

- Treat everybody with respect and be mature and diplomatic if something does not go your way.

- Remember the adage – Be careful of who’s toes your stepping on because they might be connected to the ass that you may have to kiss later.

If you decide to take up comedy, you would be entering a different world. You are an immigrant trying to fit in a new country. Try to learn the customs of the new world without imposing your own expectations. Despite what your ego may tell you, you are not the revolutionary that will liberate this new land of comedy. So, dial it down a notch.

Essentially, please be mindful of your manners.