You know I wish sometimes I could tell people how much I love comedy. It has been part of my soul for decades...since the early memories of childhood to just today I have been writing and or performing comedy in some way or other. Hell I do it when alone. Comedy isn't just a 'face' I put on for people or save for the stage, I am in a constant flow of funny. I make myself laugh. I don't think I'm ever annoying with it, I seem to be in command of when, how and have appropriate behavior. Still I am eternally looking for the funny in all moments of life. They're not always there but I look nonetheless, I have to.
I have always wished the best for other comedy performers especially if they're for real. I see a lot of phonies out there and even then I may root for them in some way simply because for some reason or another these faux artists have the want to experience what real art feels like. Still honestly I am compelled to say there are too many 'cover comedians' allowed by bookers and club owners to thrive.
It's absurd to me that bookers would shoot themselves in the foot by sending out so many of these type of untalented non-representing acts....but it happens all the time and everybody looks the other way or makes excuses.
I can only imagine what a world of honestly real stand up performers would be like. All of them fighting for the art form and keeping it real by policing their own. I'd have to think that bookers would then be forced to book only quality acts and....well it's never gonna happen huh? Afraid not.
I do love the biz and process though and will pursue trying to make a positive difference- not from ego or any agenda crap- but just from the love of the game man loooove of the freakin game. lol
Have a nice day :)
Uncle Hippie aka chill
www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
Showing posts with label standup comedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label standup comedy. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Art?
What is art? I often call stand up an art form and comedians artists and have on a few occasions gotten an argument. I may remind those people that art is defined as a craft, a skill, creativity, expertise, ingenuity, cunning, obsession, etc etc etc on and on.
I believe that helping people laugh is an obsession of mine no doubt on and off the stage. Not that I am one of those dreadful comedians that is 'on' all the time. I find those artists annoying. I know they're just doing what they do but jeez save it for the show!
I think artists that use pictures have an advantage over comedians. The old saying 'a picture is worth a 1000 words' is apt for artists that draw, paint or use photography and film. The lowly comedian doesn't have that kind of time. We have to paint a picture and get a laugh using minimal words and expressions. There is no standing and appreciating our art form we have to something ready for consumption every 10 seconds or so. Phew!
Oscar Wilde said: "A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament". I rest my case that attitude is a much needed part to the formula of a great spoken joke.
However this type of study and use of artful communication is not just for comedians anymore. The average person would be well off to take a comedy class or two (such as my stand up comedy dojo ..hint-hint lol) and learn how to shorten and clarify their thoughts as well as to how to use attitude and passion in speeches, pitches and everyday conversations.
The word is out on my class for this very reason and I have to believe this is why I get so many salespeople, teachers, policemen and others that are just there to experience the dojo, face a fear and learn to communicate using stand up comedy techniques that help them gain a perspective on their unique temperament.
Stand up is art. Effective communication is a unique result of getting in touch with your unique temperament and therefore an art form.
Go out and give somebody some passion and attitude! Take a comedy class somewhere.
Let art ring! ;)
Have a nice day. :)
ur Uncle Hippie chill
www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
I believe that helping people laugh is an obsession of mine no doubt on and off the stage. Not that I am one of those dreadful comedians that is 'on' all the time. I find those artists annoying. I know they're just doing what they do but jeez save it for the show!
I think artists that use pictures have an advantage over comedians. The old saying 'a picture is worth a 1000 words' is apt for artists that draw, paint or use photography and film. The lowly comedian doesn't have that kind of time. We have to paint a picture and get a laugh using minimal words and expressions. There is no standing and appreciating our art form we have to something ready for consumption every 10 seconds or so. Phew!
Oscar Wilde said: "A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament". I rest my case that attitude is a much needed part to the formula of a great spoken joke.
However this type of study and use of artful communication is not just for comedians anymore. The average person would be well off to take a comedy class or two (such as my stand up comedy dojo ..hint-hint lol) and learn how to shorten and clarify their thoughts as well as to how to use attitude and passion in speeches, pitches and everyday conversations.
The word is out on my class for this very reason and I have to believe this is why I get so many salespeople, teachers, policemen and others that are just there to experience the dojo, face a fear and learn to communicate using stand up comedy techniques that help them gain a perspective on their unique temperament.
Stand up is art. Effective communication is a unique result of getting in touch with your unique temperament and therefore an art form.
Go out and give somebody some passion and attitude! Take a comedy class somewhere.
Let art ring! ;)
Have a nice day. :)
ur Uncle Hippie chill
www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Working it!
Some days you're simply too busy. Things slip and new priorities have to be set. I call it flow. Sometimes your flow much change, which of course is the nature of flow and you must make adjustments. This has been one of those days.
I am preparing to go to Chicago tomorrow and many things have come up. I am in the office working on my writing class that I will be conducting and my P.A. is making CD's for me to sell after the shows. They have to be burned into disks and then placed into packages ready to slipped out quickly and signed at point of purchase, of course everyone has to be checked for quality both in sound and prints.
Still things like preparing, packing, eating, making and taking calls, shopping etc etc-busy busy! It's all good but every minute is spoken for...show business is so glamorous ha!
If this was an hourly job I'd probably hate it but since it's my life's work I go at it like a kid at a candy store. That's the big difference- this is my business and it's hitting great strides lately on all fronts. I have to keep up and putting out extra effort is just the way it is, I'm delighted to do it.
As I'm writing this I just realized that I have new material I want to do and so I have to dig out the notes and cards and get that all ready. All I can say is I wish this for everybody! I wish everyone could have this kind of wonderful day. It's called being alive, active and immediate. May you all work this hard and if you do already - well then bless you and I hope you break a leg in all things.
I'll see you in Chicago if you can make it. I'll be at Walter Payton's Roundhouse Fri/Sat doing what I do and love. Sometimes it hard to believe I am enthroned to work like this. lol
Have a nice day.
Uncle Hippie chill
**I once worked at a company that made pink slips. It took me two years to realized I'd been fired.
www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
I am preparing to go to Chicago tomorrow and many things have come up. I am in the office working on my writing class that I will be conducting and my P.A. is making CD's for me to sell after the shows. They have to be burned into disks and then placed into packages ready to slipped out quickly and signed at point of purchase, of course everyone has to be checked for quality both in sound and prints.
Still things like preparing, packing, eating, making and taking calls, shopping etc etc-busy busy! It's all good but every minute is spoken for...show business is so glamorous ha!
If this was an hourly job I'd probably hate it but since it's my life's work I go at it like a kid at a candy store. That's the big difference- this is my business and it's hitting great strides lately on all fronts. I have to keep up and putting out extra effort is just the way it is, I'm delighted to do it.
As I'm writing this I just realized that I have new material I want to do and so I have to dig out the notes and cards and get that all ready. All I can say is I wish this for everybody! I wish everyone could have this kind of wonderful day. It's called being alive, active and immediate. May you all work this hard and if you do already - well then bless you and I hope you break a leg in all things.
I'll see you in Chicago if you can make it. I'll be at Walter Payton's Roundhouse Fri/Sat doing what I do and love. Sometimes it hard to believe I am enthroned to work like this. lol
Have a nice day.
Uncle Hippie chill
**I once worked at a company that made pink slips. It took me two years to realized I'd been fired.
www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Why find yourself?
The study of stand up comedy can be hugely important in your life. It has for mine. Real comic artists probably are in touch with their personal makeup better than most psychologists are with theirs.
I say 'real comic artists' because today unfortunately there are far too many faux comedians. They exist because of unskilled bookers and unknowing/uncaring venue owner/mgrs and such. It's a long sad story but all too real and because of this the audience suffers and for the most part is driven away. Stand up regrettably is an art form that can be faked to a certain point. The audience can tell but by then it's too late - the false prophet is already on stage and doing his or her damage to the art. Far too many of these so called comedians take the stage full of selfishness and with zero responsibility towards the audience. They actually have the nerve to think that the show and show business is about them. I digress.
Studying comedy helps you realize that people laugh at pain -YOUR pain. How do you find out about that pain? You have to do a study of yourself - a truthful in depth study. You have to discover how YOU truly think, react and have reacted to turmoil in your life. Comedy is about looking for defects...in the world and your own...mostly YOUR OWN.
How do you do this? A great way to start is by asking yourself the tough questions and being honest with yourself.
A few of the questions for instance are:
What makes you angry? What confuses you? What has been your reaction to certain circumstances in your life? And of course the Why question. Comedy is a lot about Whys? Just like a child Why? Why? WHY!????
We had the right idea in the 60's when everybody was in search of themselves....comic artists have continued this quest and your Uncle Hippie certainly did. Thanks to the feelings safari I have been on for nearly 30 years I know myself pretty well but I still to this day examine, probe and research. I still ask the- whys???
Actually this type of self exploration is not only enlightening but fun and it tends to sooth while relieving you of some pain when you excavate your consciousness. I suppose any art form will inspire you to do this but for studying stand up- it's a must.
As a coach and teacher of stand up I've gotten so that I can tell in a couple of minutes of watching a comedian if they've done their homework in soul searching or if they are just repeating what they've seen work or simply being a mimic. I can only say there are far too many mimics now and the audiences can tell. Despite the shock laughs that a few get there is no connection and the audience, despite perhaps laughing, leaves empty and without that 'gift' that an artist is supposed to deliver. For me that is sad and unforgivable. For without that 'gift' the audiences dwindle and have no real motivation to return and that my friends is exactly what's happening to too many comedy venues lately.
So what can the average person do with this? Study yourself. Keep a diary. Write down your thoughts and always ALWAYS go behind your feelings. Ask the why question a lot and give yourself some honest answers. You'll find yourself and you'll be ok! lol
Just something to think about.
Have a nice day. :)
yur Uncle Hippie chill
www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
**I was a little different as a child. When we played hide n' go seek I concealed myself by changing my accent.
I say 'real comic artists' because today unfortunately there are far too many faux comedians. They exist because of unskilled bookers and unknowing/uncaring venue owner/mgrs and such. It's a long sad story but all too real and because of this the audience suffers and for the most part is driven away. Stand up regrettably is an art form that can be faked to a certain point. The audience can tell but by then it's too late - the false prophet is already on stage and doing his or her damage to the art. Far too many of these so called comedians take the stage full of selfishness and with zero responsibility towards the audience. They actually have the nerve to think that the show and show business is about them. I digress.
Studying comedy helps you realize that people laugh at pain -YOUR pain. How do you find out about that pain? You have to do a study of yourself - a truthful in depth study. You have to discover how YOU truly think, react and have reacted to turmoil in your life. Comedy is about looking for defects...in the world and your own...mostly YOUR OWN.
How do you do this? A great way to start is by asking yourself the tough questions and being honest with yourself.
A few of the questions for instance are:
What makes you angry? What confuses you? What has been your reaction to certain circumstances in your life? And of course the Why question. Comedy is a lot about Whys? Just like a child Why? Why? WHY!????
We had the right idea in the 60's when everybody was in search of themselves....comic artists have continued this quest and your Uncle Hippie certainly did. Thanks to the feelings safari I have been on for nearly 30 years I know myself pretty well but I still to this day examine, probe and research. I still ask the- whys???
Actually this type of self exploration is not only enlightening but fun and it tends to sooth while relieving you of some pain when you excavate your consciousness. I suppose any art form will inspire you to do this but for studying stand up- it's a must.
As a coach and teacher of stand up I've gotten so that I can tell in a couple of minutes of watching a comedian if they've done their homework in soul searching or if they are just repeating what they've seen work or simply being a mimic. I can only say there are far too many mimics now and the audiences can tell. Despite the shock laughs that a few get there is no connection and the audience, despite perhaps laughing, leaves empty and without that 'gift' that an artist is supposed to deliver. For me that is sad and unforgivable. For without that 'gift' the audiences dwindle and have no real motivation to return and that my friends is exactly what's happening to too many comedy venues lately.
So what can the average person do with this? Study yourself. Keep a diary. Write down your thoughts and always ALWAYS go behind your feelings. Ask the why question a lot and give yourself some honest answers. You'll find yourself and you'll be ok! lol
Just something to think about.
Have a nice day. :)
yur Uncle Hippie chill
www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
**I was a little different as a child. When we played hide n' go seek I concealed myself by changing my accent.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Chicago, workshops, and such.
This week I will be going to one of my favorite places- Chicago. I'll be performing at Walter Payton's Roundhouse. WPR as it's called in and around Aurora, Ill. is an amazing entertainment complex and has become a much favored stage for me to perform on and simply have fun. I have many friends in the windy city and of course many comedian pals that will stop in to see me. It's always kind of a mixture of work and party when I'm there and it's an honor when they take time out to watch you work on stage. When you can make comedians laugh you obviously have something extrordinary going on (at least that's what I tell myself) ;)
I will also as always hold a workshop for new and experienced comedians and writers. I admittedly love doing these types of instructional events because somewhere deep down inside the satisfaction of helping new artists feels good to me.
My schedule with writing projects, performing and classes has taken a real spike upward in intensity lately and that is by no means a bad thing. I invariably find the time to do it all and it works out to the benefit of everybody including myself.
I do make some money from teaching though I keep the cost per comic to ridiculously low prices. I understand that especially new people have little cash on hand these days to hire a pro writer and coach. Many know the deal I am giving them and of course a few (very few) don't get it. There's always a few fringe wannabe's that don't get anything -ever! That's just life:)
Pro writers and consultants (that would be me) get up to $200 per hour on studio deals yet sometimes I charge as little as forty bucks (that's correct JUST 40 measly bucks) for a workshop and even offer online help afterwards. So far I have only had one complaint most recently from a guy that just doesn't have a clue about show business or it's processes. He even had the nerve to complain to the venue I held the workshop in. He wrote to them that 'quote' .."...my follow up was horrible!"....LOL. I had to laugh as I do now when i think about it. So did the venue owners. This schmuck shot himself in the foot with the venue and me! Nice going huh? it's not everyday you can come close to ruining your career with one bs email ;)
Other than that I have a national rep that is growing in the best way possible, by the artists themselves promoting my workshops and acting as a street team to get people in. I appreciate that very much. It's nice to know there are people out there that understand this is practically missionary work by me.
I mean to make a difference in comedy from the ground up. I have taken on venues that short change comedians, club mgrs, bookers that run shoddy agencies and clubs and even other comedians that steal material and such. I will continue to do this forever. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
I do it because I love it. What other reason needs to be? Peace kids.
Have a nice day. :)
Uncle Hippie chill
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.standupschool.com
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
I will also as always hold a workshop for new and experienced comedians and writers. I admittedly love doing these types of instructional events because somewhere deep down inside the satisfaction of helping new artists feels good to me.
My schedule with writing projects, performing and classes has taken a real spike upward in intensity lately and that is by no means a bad thing. I invariably find the time to do it all and it works out to the benefit of everybody including myself.
I do make some money from teaching though I keep the cost per comic to ridiculously low prices. I understand that especially new people have little cash on hand these days to hire a pro writer and coach. Many know the deal I am giving them and of course a few (very few) don't get it. There's always a few fringe wannabe's that don't get anything -ever! That's just life:)
Pro writers and consultants (that would be me) get up to $200 per hour on studio deals yet sometimes I charge as little as forty bucks (that's correct JUST 40 measly bucks) for a workshop and even offer online help afterwards. So far I have only had one complaint most recently from a guy that just doesn't have a clue about show business or it's processes. He even had the nerve to complain to the venue I held the workshop in. He wrote to them that 'quote' .."...my follow up was horrible!"....LOL. I had to laugh as I do now when i think about it. So did the venue owners. This schmuck shot himself in the foot with the venue and me! Nice going huh? it's not everyday you can come close to ruining your career with one bs email ;)
Other than that I have a national rep that is growing in the best way possible, by the artists themselves promoting my workshops and acting as a street team to get people in. I appreciate that very much. It's nice to know there are people out there that understand this is practically missionary work by me.
I mean to make a difference in comedy from the ground up. I have taken on venues that short change comedians, club mgrs, bookers that run shoddy agencies and clubs and even other comedians that steal material and such. I will continue to do this forever. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
I do it because I love it. What other reason needs to be? Peace kids.
Have a nice day. :)
Uncle Hippie chill
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.standupschool.com
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
Monday, August 31, 2009
I just try to get laughs.
You know I hope I never become one of those comedians that is too hip for the room. I hope I never do my show while talking to my opening act about what bits I should do as if the audience seated right there in front of me doesn't exist. I hope I never have to rely on the F word to make a joke funny. I witnessed such a show this weekend at a club I frequent when not performing. It was terrible.
When I do my stand up I try to not only deliver opportunites for hard laughs but maybe deliver a positive message or two as well. I've always been a performer that wants the audience to leave my show like they've been on a roller coaster ride and feel as if it was money well spent to see me. I have a sense of responsibilty towards an audience- sue me!
I don't get this anti-comedy thing going on in some comedians performance. Clever or witty is not good enough! Nobody gives a crap about your politics! It's not unhip or hack to simply get a laugh!
I am glad I have a stand up class to teach today. I can tell my students to go for jokes and real material. I will teach them that posturing and posing is NOT good enough. Watching a irresponsible and selfish comedian is all the motivation I need to help push for the better art.
Some comedy clubs wonder where the audience went. Well I saw some of them leave when jerko mr cool was on stage. It breaks my heart. I grow weary of seeing such all to common of displays in stand up these days. The inmates are fully in charge of the asylum.
No matter what job you do you should always take responsiblity to see it is done well and to the best of your ability. It's a simple creed.
I will be performing at the Comedy Showcase in Ann Arbor this weekend. I can't wait. The audience there is due a good show. www.aacomedy.com for details.
Have a nice day.
chill
www.standupschool.com www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
When I do my stand up I try to not only deliver opportunites for hard laughs but maybe deliver a positive message or two as well. I've always been a performer that wants the audience to leave my show like they've been on a roller coaster ride and feel as if it was money well spent to see me. I have a sense of responsibilty towards an audience- sue me!
I don't get this anti-comedy thing going on in some comedians performance. Clever or witty is not good enough! Nobody gives a crap about your politics! It's not unhip or hack to simply get a laugh!
I am glad I have a stand up class to teach today. I can tell my students to go for jokes and real material. I will teach them that posturing and posing is NOT good enough. Watching a irresponsible and selfish comedian is all the motivation I need to help push for the better art.
Some comedy clubs wonder where the audience went. Well I saw some of them leave when jerko mr cool was on stage. It breaks my heart. I grow weary of seeing such all to common of displays in stand up these days. The inmates are fully in charge of the asylum.
No matter what job you do you should always take responsiblity to see it is done well and to the best of your ability. It's a simple creed.
I will be performing at the Comedy Showcase in Ann Arbor this weekend. I can't wait. The audience there is due a good show. www.aacomedy.com for details.
Have a nice day.
chill
www.standupschool.com www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Teaching Stand up Comedy and my Dojo!
In a few hours I will be graduating a new class of people that attended my 'comedy dojo' . I am gratified to say it is being touted as one of -if not THE best stand up comedy and humor writing classes/situations in the business.
I hold my regular 5 weeks classes in Ann Arbor at the Comedy Showcase. I try to do as many as I can there. It's a historic club dating back over 25 years and has resisted in the past having anybody hold a teaching situation there. I am proud that they chose me. I am proud of the way I present my coaching. In my dojo I offer live instruction and direction and even online writing help to all students who attend. You can check out the info at http://www.aacomedy.com/
I never started out to be a teacher it just happened. I began doing 'writer's camps' in the 80s and it evolved from that. There are many comedy classes around the country and some are helpful. I guess you could say any homework you do before you bounce onto a comedy stage is helpful. I would just warn all prospective students to choose your mentors wisely.
With me you get a former NBC Tonight Show writer and 25 year plus headlining comedian's assistance. That's hard to come by (actually damn near impossible) for new people to obtain in this business.
I also do an online class and that has allowed me to help others I couldn't have even dreamed of getting to in the past. http://www.standupschool.com/
I am always excited on nights that my students graduate and I'm nervous for them plenty lol. That's the one thing I can't help much with is when they are soloing on stage in front of a live audience. They have to take the fire for themselves. I know that I've prepared them and assured them and they're ready even to face the fear. (I deal with that in my classes) Fear is a huge thing to get over in many things of course and I coach ways to soothe that and help fight it in the 'dojo'.
Never let fear stop you. Fear has no power except for what you give it. Acknowledge that it exists make fun of fear and you will be fine.
To my students and all who read this may I say 'break a leg'!
Live it and give it!!
**You can't have everything...but you sure can hear about it!
**You can't buy everything...how would you get it home?
peace and have a nice day. :)
Uncle Hippie...chill
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
I hold my regular 5 weeks classes in Ann Arbor at the Comedy Showcase. I try to do as many as I can there. It's a historic club dating back over 25 years and has resisted in the past having anybody hold a teaching situation there. I am proud that they chose me. I am proud of the way I present my coaching. In my dojo I offer live instruction and direction and even online writing help to all students who attend. You can check out the info at http://www.aacomedy.com/
I never started out to be a teacher it just happened. I began doing 'writer's camps' in the 80s and it evolved from that. There are many comedy classes around the country and some are helpful. I guess you could say any homework you do before you bounce onto a comedy stage is helpful. I would just warn all prospective students to choose your mentors wisely.
With me you get a former NBC Tonight Show writer and 25 year plus headlining comedian's assistance. That's hard to come by (actually damn near impossible) for new people to obtain in this business.
I also do an online class and that has allowed me to help others I couldn't have even dreamed of getting to in the past. http://www.standupschool.com/
I am always excited on nights that my students graduate and I'm nervous for them plenty lol. That's the one thing I can't help much with is when they are soloing on stage in front of a live audience. They have to take the fire for themselves. I know that I've prepared them and assured them and they're ready even to face the fear. (I deal with that in my classes) Fear is a huge thing to get over in many things of course and I coach ways to soothe that and help fight it in the 'dojo'.
Never let fear stop you. Fear has no power except for what you give it. Acknowledge that it exists make fun of fear and you will be fine.
To my students and all who read this may I say 'break a leg'!
Live it and give it!!
**You can't have everything...but you sure can hear about it!
**You can't buy everything...how would you get it home?
peace and have a nice day. :)
Uncle Hippie...chill
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Back to the Future
I put a lot into stand up comedy-my life. It's an old story but a true one that I started performing stand up in grad school in the 60's. I had a wonderful elementary teacher that saw a spark of talent in me and therefore allowed me at least an opportunity to do something every Friday in her class. I often chose stand up or some kind of comedy sketch. This continued into high school where I faked my way through many oral presentations using humor....often getting a A I might add.
I'm not sure what it is but I have always loved making people laugh. Not that I am a class clown type or 'always on' as they say I simply love the sound of people laughing. I guess I can say I need that. There's worse hangups I suppose.
I have seen the business of comedy shoot through the roof in the 80's and level off in the 90's where more and more agents and chain clubs were opened. Now in the 2000's the biz of laughter is kind of taken for granted...too much so if you ask me. We have far too many people in the business not because it was an obsession from their soul but because of inclination. True story, I had a college age guy opening for me once that actually told me he had a choice to tour with his comedy act or work at a fast food place for the summer and so he flipped a coin and the comedy won. Did it really???? I saw his act- comedy lost and so did the audiences that paid to see him.
True comedy artists are few and far inbetween now. Hell sometimes the mere mention of the word artist into this business in this era draws smurks from some. There are far too many under talented individuals masquerading as comedian artists and are giving 'performances' of smut and crap and hiding behind the manrtra of 'they're keeping it real'! lol Now THAT is funny.
Also in keeping with failures there are vulture like club owners and agents that book these 'comics' without a clue that they are driving business away. How many times are you going to put a bad product out there for your customers and expect them to continue to come back?! They often speak of how many 'butts in the seats' that they need to profit...and they actually can't seem to get they're running those 'butts' out of their venues regularly with substandard acts.
I'm the type of guy that looks for answers. Sometimes it starts personally. For me that meant that I work hard to keep a fresh act that is funny, immediate and perhaps even contains a message or two and gives my audience a feeling that coming to my show was a great way to spend their money.
Unfortunately I am only one comedian and so it's easy for some clubs and agents to bury me in the muck and continue on ruining a business without a inkling of how they're doing it or even caring if they do.
So what is the real answer? The power of change is in the hands of the fans of comedy -YOU.
As a fan and customer YOU have to speak up to the club owners and mgrs and agents. YOU can do more than put a bad critique on one of their cards they leave on the tables. Speak to the owners personally and voice your concerns. Most importantly lobby for the comedians you have seen and want them to return. We all have favoriters...stick up for them and call the venues and ask for your favorites by name and do it repeatedly. Walk out of shows you don't like. Don't sit there and take it. YOU are the buyer YOU have the power to help me and other comedians like me change this business back to an art form. Demand quality and you'll get it.
Here's a hippie thing to do. Let's protest!! Get in front of your comedy clubs and hold up signs that read 'Chili Challis now!!' 'We want Chili' !!!! Ok I guess that's too much, can't blame a guy huh? Seriously though if you're a fan of stand up comedy and want to see change don't write your congressman write your venue owner, email them, leave comments on their websites and for god sakes call them and get in their face. Let them know you're not just a 'butt in the seat' you are a patron of art. It's time for the art appreciators to take back an art form and demand higher quality. It's the American way.
I'll look for you at my shows. Fight a good fight.
Have a nice day.
Everybody's Uncle Hippie,
chill
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
I'm not sure what it is but I have always loved making people laugh. Not that I am a class clown type or 'always on' as they say I simply love the sound of people laughing. I guess I can say I need that. There's worse hangups I suppose.
I have seen the business of comedy shoot through the roof in the 80's and level off in the 90's where more and more agents and chain clubs were opened. Now in the 2000's the biz of laughter is kind of taken for granted...too much so if you ask me. We have far too many people in the business not because it was an obsession from their soul but because of inclination. True story, I had a college age guy opening for me once that actually told me he had a choice to tour with his comedy act or work at a fast food place for the summer and so he flipped a coin and the comedy won. Did it really???? I saw his act- comedy lost and so did the audiences that paid to see him.
True comedy artists are few and far inbetween now. Hell sometimes the mere mention of the word artist into this business in this era draws smurks from some. There are far too many under talented individuals masquerading as comedian artists and are giving 'performances' of smut and crap and hiding behind the manrtra of 'they're keeping it real'! lol Now THAT is funny.
Also in keeping with failures there are vulture like club owners and agents that book these 'comics' without a clue that they are driving business away. How many times are you going to put a bad product out there for your customers and expect them to continue to come back?! They often speak of how many 'butts in the seats' that they need to profit...and they actually can't seem to get they're running those 'butts' out of their venues regularly with substandard acts.
I'm the type of guy that looks for answers. Sometimes it starts personally. For me that meant that I work hard to keep a fresh act that is funny, immediate and perhaps even contains a message or two and gives my audience a feeling that coming to my show was a great way to spend their money.
Unfortunately I am only one comedian and so it's easy for some clubs and agents to bury me in the muck and continue on ruining a business without a inkling of how they're doing it or even caring if they do.
So what is the real answer? The power of change is in the hands of the fans of comedy -YOU.
As a fan and customer YOU have to speak up to the club owners and mgrs and agents. YOU can do more than put a bad critique on one of their cards they leave on the tables. Speak to the owners personally and voice your concerns. Most importantly lobby for the comedians you have seen and want them to return. We all have favoriters...stick up for them and call the venues and ask for your favorites by name and do it repeatedly. Walk out of shows you don't like. Don't sit there and take it. YOU are the buyer YOU have the power to help me and other comedians like me change this business back to an art form. Demand quality and you'll get it.
Here's a hippie thing to do. Let's protest!! Get in front of your comedy clubs and hold up signs that read 'Chili Challis now!!' 'We want Chili' !!!! Ok I guess that's too much, can't blame a guy huh? Seriously though if you're a fan of stand up comedy and want to see change don't write your congressman write your venue owner, email them, leave comments on their websites and for god sakes call them and get in their face. Let them know you're not just a 'butt in the seat' you are a patron of art. It's time for the art appreciators to take back an art form and demand higher quality. It's the American way.
I'll look for you at my shows. Fight a good fight.
Have a nice day.
Everybody's Uncle Hippie,
chill
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
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