So you wanna be a comedian?

He who laughs last…
So your mates think you’re hilarious, but does that make you a comedian? Well, if you’re thick-skinned, strong-willed, quick-witted, self-motivated, hard working, energetic, focused, and ambitious, then you might just have a chance. Read on:

…doesn’t get the joke
There are no hard and fast rules to making it in the funny business these days. You can make money as:

1. a performer
2. a writer
3. a writer-performer

Where might I expose my humour?
Today there are plenty of opportunities to flex your funny bones: clubs, summer seasons, pantomimes, cruise-liners, holiday centres, radio, television, film, and the internet. The big thing is, how do you break in?

Don’t make me laugh!
The honest answer is hard work, bloody-mindedness, persistence and luck. You don’t need lots of qualifications in order to work in comedy. There are ‘courses’ in performing and writing comedy, but before you part with your cash, check out the credentials of the teacher. It’s a cut-throat industry, and the last thing you need is some old never-was or might-have-been filling your head with bad advice and technique.

Don’t put your daughter on the stage…
You’re far better off learning your trade by studying the techniques employed by the top comedians, and just taking the plunge on stage. Before you step out in front of an audience, work-up five to ten minutes of material (preferably your own). (See 'Chicken' below for tips on choosing your material). Once you’ve done that, try the material out at one of the numerous ‘open mic’ spots run by comedy clubs throughout Britain.

Yikes!
If the thought of getting up on stage and exposing yourself to possible derision fills you with dread, then why not work up some experience by joining your local amateur dramatics society?

Are you joking?
No. Getting involved in am-Dram will give you invaluable experience of performing in front of an audience. It will also allow you to hone your skills in line learning, timing, and projection, without you running the risk of falling flat on your comedy face.

Chicken!
Being funny is about being able to judge what other people find funny, and how best to deliver that. You need to identify your own strengths and talents and how you can best maximise them.

1. Are you a ‘gag merchant’ like Barry Island?
2. Are you a teasing ‘storyteller’ like Eddie Izzard?
3. Are you a visual comedian with funny faces, like Lee Evans?
4. Are you a humorous social observer like Victoria Wood?
5. Or are you a mixture of all of these?

Tricks of the trade
Once you’ve worked out what area of "comedy territory" your material occupies, you’ll need to think about your comedy ‘persona’ - the tricks and traits that mark you out from the crowd. Remember - it’s not the jokes you tell, "it’s the way you tell ‘em!" (Jimmy Cricket).

Putting it about
Once you’ve got that first performance under your belt, trust your talent and put it about. Use ‘open mics’ to hone your act and test new material. If you’re good enough, you’ll get noticed. Once you’re confident with your act and the material, invite agents along to see you perform.

But most of all, keep going, keep inventing, and keep learning. Eddie Izzard spent ten years playing small clubs in out of the way places, slowly learning his craft and building up a solid reputation before exploding into the limelight.

The school of hard knocks
There is not a single comedian the world over who at some point hasn’t faced a hostile audience. You will at some time face the humiliation of hecklers, slow-handclaps, boos, and calls to get off the stage. It can be devastating, but it’s all part of the job.