| Interviews |
| Terms | FAQ | Staff | About Us | Contact Us ©2005-2007 STAGE TIME - The Magazine That Stands Up For Comedy. All rights reserved. |
BACK ISSUES INTERVIEWS Stand-Up Comedians Jim Norton Robert Kelly Donnell Rawlings Brad Stine Tammy Pescatelli Leighann Lord George Sarris Nick DiPaolo Russ Meneve Shang and more By Tasha A. Harris, NYC Comedy Journalist STAGE TIME The Magazine That Stands Up For Comedy |
It’s been said that the only training you need is to be onstage. Should comics take comedy
classes?
I agree with that but I think the class the helps. I think the class gives you a lot of good
information you might miss. I think two main things it can help you do is focus and avoiding
pitfalls…That said, I think everyone can take one class and don’t ever take a class again.
Generally, I would tell everyone to do it once and then hit the stage.
classes?
I agree with that but I think the class the helps. I think the class gives you a lot of good
information you might miss. I think two main things it can help you do is focus and avoiding
pitfalls…That said, I think everyone can take one class and don’t ever take a class again.
Generally, I would tell everyone to do it once and then hit the stage.
| HELL YEAH, I SAID IT: "…Comics don’t like change. They think the first time they wrote it is good... If you want to try changing a joke to make it better, you’re taking a chance that it’s not going to work and that precious spot you got - you just wasted it, because you wanted to try something new when you could have done it the old way, and you would have gotten that mediocre laugh. So I understand the reluctance to change things, but that is the most important thing – comics have to remember flexibility." - Buddy Flip |
Why did you create an advanced class?
I have a massive email list and I kept emailing
my class and would get very little response.
Every time I would talk to a comic, they would
say, “I would take your class but I’ve been
doing it for a year or two.”
And of course, the funny thing to me is that
a year or two, you’re a beginner. So I’m looking
at the list and thought “advanced” and I put
the word “advanced” in the ad. I did rewrite the
whole thing but I got a wonderful response
after the word, “advanced” and said, “must
have 1-3 years experience” and people were
like, “Oh, that’s me.”
The real benefit for me was that the class was
a lot more enjoyable because there was a
consistency amongst the students. It wasn’t
like “this guy has been doing it a year” and
“this guy has never done it before” and
“these two guys have to put up with a guy who
has never done it before.” Now everyone had
a similar range.
I have a massive email list and I kept emailing
my class and would get very little response.
Every time I would talk to a comic, they would
say, “I would take your class but I’ve been
doing it for a year or two.”
And of course, the funny thing to me is that
a year or two, you’re a beginner. So I’m looking
at the list and thought “advanced” and I put
the word “advanced” in the ad. I did rewrite the
whole thing but I got a wonderful response
after the word, “advanced” and said, “must
have 1-3 years experience” and people were
like, “Oh, that’s me.”
The real benefit for me was that the class was
a lot more enjoyable because there was a
consistency amongst the students. It wasn’t
like “this guy has been doing it a year” and
“this guy has never done it before” and
“these two guys have to put up with a guy who
has never done it before.” Now everyone had
a similar range.
The first part is a lecture type and the second part is the workshop – just them going
onstage. The first week, we talk about the elements of stand up, the second week are the
elements of writing and the third week are the elements of the business, the fourth week
are pitfalls, and the fifth week is just all workshop. More than half of the class is workshop.
I try to limit the class to five or six people, which usually gives everyone like 10 or 15
minutes onstage.
Also, there are a lot of comics in this town who are in that limbo - that post-bringer,
“I’m not sure what’s next.” But, by the same token, a lot of it comes down to hustling
work. I don’t think a lot of people…I lot times people come to class and I have that feeling:
“I don’t know if you’re going to make it. I don’t know if you’re going to last that long.
I don’t know if your heart is in the right place because you got to love stand up…
That’s what I tell my students: Love stand up. It’s the only thing I can guarantee you.
I can’t guarantee you anything in this business, but I can guarantee one thing:
I guarantee you the five minutes onstage you get. Love those five minutes.
To view Buddy's club schedule, click here.
-Tasha A. Harris, Spring 2006
onstage. The first week, we talk about the elements of stand up, the second week are the
elements of writing and the third week are the elements of the business, the fourth week
are pitfalls, and the fifth week is just all workshop. More than half of the class is workshop.
I try to limit the class to five or six people, which usually gives everyone like 10 or 15
minutes onstage.
Also, there are a lot of comics in this town who are in that limbo - that post-bringer,
“I’m not sure what’s next.” But, by the same token, a lot of it comes down to hustling
work. I don’t think a lot of people…I lot times people come to class and I have that feeling:
“I don’t know if you’re going to make it. I don’t know if you’re going to last that long.
I don’t know if your heart is in the right place because you got to love stand up…
That’s what I tell my students: Love stand up. It’s the only thing I can guarantee you.
I can’t guarantee you anything in this business, but I can guarantee one thing:
I guarantee you the five minutes onstage you get. Love those five minutes.
To view Buddy's club schedule, click here.
-Tasha A. Harris, Spring 2006
Very inspiring. Reading what Buddy went through to get to where he is, it just made me want
to do it more. What he said about loving stand-up comedy, "You've got to love those five
minutes!" Buddy is a genuine human being...It is a shock to find a great guy like Buddy
managing a club and not feel like I am bothering him. He is always gracious and generous
with his time. Thanks for a great article.
-Mike Kramer
The Buddy Flip article gives comedians more knowledge and power to use in our endeavors.
I am 24 years-old and have been producing my own shows for a few years. Buddy's story
has provided a lot of inspiration and reassurance that I need to keep doing my thing.
Thanks STAGE TIME Magazine!
- Darryl Rummens
to do it more. What he said about loving stand-up comedy, "You've got to love those five
minutes!" Buddy is a genuine human being...It is a shock to find a great guy like Buddy
managing a club and not feel like I am bothering him. He is always gracious and generous
with his time. Thanks for a great article.
-Mike Kramer
The Buddy Flip article gives comedians more knowledge and power to use in our endeavors.
I am 24 years-old and have been producing my own shows for a few years. Buddy's story
has provided a lot of inspiration and reassurance that I need to keep doing my thing.
Thanks STAGE TIME Magazine!
- Darryl Rummens
Your Feedback:
| Home | News | Features | Interviews | Reviews | Essays | Columns | Archives | Feedback | Tell a Friend |