Preparing for a live comedy recording involves choosing your jokes, timing out the set, editing, making segues, practicing it live, and more. Today I share the process I went through for my last recording. Things were a little different this time due to COVID-19. But the overall approach is still similar to the way I have done it in the past.

We cover a lot in this episode, including:

Leading up to show

• Determining the audience
• Understanding language and content guidelines
• Defining the set length
• Thinking about your PURPOSE behind the set
• Thinking about how you will RE-PURPOSE the set
• Choosing your jokes
• Establishing your P.O.V. (Point of View)
• Tips on timing out your routine
• Practicing your set
• Rewriting
• Editing
• Having a few extra short jokes in your back pocket

Day of Show

• Getting mentally ready through rest and planned distraction
• Giving yourself a margin for arriving on time
• Stage clothes
• Producers, makeup, and releases
• Getting wired up
• Hydrating
• Eye on the camera or the audience?
• Oh yeah, having fun!

You may have a different process for getting ready. Feel free to comment below and help others. This is the first of two parts of the podcast. Episode 236 will include the recording of the set and my reactions to it.

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