School Of Laughs

Have you ever dismissed the idea of going full time into stand-up comedy? Did you get overwhelmed by the enormity of it all? Today, Paulina Combow joins us to discuss how she broke down the full time goal into bite size pieces. With an outline, a plan and a deadline in place she is targeting early Summer as her kick off date.

Along the way she is documenting the process with her own podcast "Nine Month Drive". On the show Combow explores the possibilities of traveling with a camper, defending herself, finding wi-fi and booking gigs.

We talk specifically about:

• Paying off debt
• Networking
• Comedy festivals
• Staying healthy
• Creating tag along gigs en route to booked shows
• Cultivating her Youtube presence
• Supplemental income
• Learning how to focus on one task at a time

and much, much more.

If you've thought about going full time into stand-up comedy, this podcast is for you! If you are full time, what tips can you offer to Paulina to make her journey more of a success? Send them in to me or feel free to contact her via the info below.

To hear more from Paulina you can listen to her first appearance on the show. In that episode, she discussed ways to put on your own show. Great tips!

You can listen to Paulina's podcast, see her videos, follow her on twitter ...

Or visit her web site:

If you think you might need some help writing jokes, editing your premise and creating punchlines thick with techniques, consider taking the online stand-up comedy writing course offered by the School Of Laughs. Use the coupon code below for 20% off. Click the pic to learn more.

Have you ever dismissed the idea of going full time into stand-up comedy? Did you get overwhelmed by the enormity of it all? Today, Paulina Combow joins us to discuss how she broke down the full time goal into bite size pieces. With an outline, a plan and a deadline in place she is targeting early Summer as her kick off date.

Along the way she is documenting the process with her own podcast "Nine Month Drive". On the show Combow explores the possibilities of traveling with a camper, defending herself, finding wi-fi and booking gigs.

We talk specifically about:

and much, much more.

If you've thought about going full time into stand-up comedy, this podcast is for you! If you are full time, what tips can you offer to Paulina to make her journey more of a success? Send them in to me or feel free to contact her via the info below.

To hear more from Paulina you can listen to her first appearance on the show. In that episode, she discussed ways to put on your own show. Great tips!

You can listen to Paulina's podcast, see her videos, follow her on twitter ...

Or visit her web site:

If you think you might need some help writing jokes, editing your premise and creating punchlines thick with techniques, consider taking the online stand-up comedy writing course offered by the School Of Laughs. Use the coupon code below for 20% off. Click the pic to learn more.

Have you ever had a few joke ideas collecting dust in your notebook? Former student and YouTube star Kate Spellman and Gavin Miller join me at the writing table to pitch a couple of joke ideas that need to see daylight. We all offer up two potential premises and decide on one each. Then we brainstorm on one comedy premise each and try to:

• Clarify the premise
• Spin it in different directions
• Challenge each other to take the ideas further
• Punch up the misdirection
• And generally, move the joke further along

The idea here is to get concepts out of your notebook and see if someone else can find an angle (or ten) you weren't thinking about. We don't get locked into perfecting the joke. In fact, we focus solely on the comedy premise today. We simply explore as many angles as possible and will work on punch lines later.

One tip: Avoid editing or saying NO to ideas right away. Allow your brain to explore the possibilities of every suggestion. The analytical half of your brain will destroy the creative process if you let it intrude. You can go back at a later time by yourself and decide on what to throw out and what to keep.

Each of us will get a rough version of our joke ready to perform (and record) before we meet up again.

This is a fun episode and you get to play along if you like. If you have any ideas for Gavin’s joke you can send them to him at @GavinMiller42 on Twitter.

Kate can best be reached at @kmspellman and [email protected].

And, if you have any ideas for me send them to [email protected].

Of course, the best thing for you to do would be to call up two buddies and run a writer’s table for your jokes. Take advantage of the power of brainstorming. You can get 3x a better joke with the help of a couple creative people. And don’t limit yourself to just other comics. ANYONE could offer up a gem of an idea regardless of their background.

If you like this episode you may also want to listen to:

If you think you might need some help writing jokes, editing your premise and creating punchlines thick with techniques, consider taking the online stand-up comedy writing course offered by the School Of Laughs. Use the coupon code below for 20% off. Click the pic to learn more.

Have you ever had a few joke ideas collecting dust in your notebook? Former student and YouTube star Kate Spellman and Gavin Miller join me at the writing table to pitch a couple of joke ideas that need to see daylight. We all offer up two potential premises and decide on one each. Then we brainstorm on one comedy premise each and try to:

The idea here is to get concepts out of your notebook and see if someone else can find an angle (or ten) you weren't thinking about. We don't get locked into perfecting the joke. In fact, we focus solely on the comedy premise today. We simply explore as many angles as possible and will work on punch lines later.

One tip: Avoid editing or saying NO to ideas right away. Allow your brain to explore the possibilities of every suggestion. The analytical half of your brain will destroy the creative process if you let it intrude. You can go back at a later time by yourself and decide on what to throw out and what to keep.

Each of us will get a rough version of our joke ready to perform (and record) before we meet up again.

This is a fun episode and you get to play along if you like. If you have any ideas for Gavin’s joke you can send them to him at @GavinMiller42 on Twitter.

Kate can best be reached at @kmspellman and [email protected].

And, if you have any ideas for me send them to [email protected].

Of course, the best thing for you to do would be to call up two buddies and run a writer’s table for your jokes. Take advantage of the power of brainstorming. You can get 3x a better joke with the help of a couple creative people. And don’t limit yourself to just other comics. ANYONE could offer up a gem of an idea regardless of their background.

If you like this episode you may also want to  listen to:

If you think you might need some help writing jokes, editing your premise and creating punchlines thick with techniques, consider taking the online stand-up comedy writing course offered by the School Of Laughs. Use the coupon code below for 20% off. Click the pic to learn more.

Would you like to be part of a record setting group of comedians? Did you miss your chance last year? Now is the time to make plans for being part of the "greatest, dumbest thing" Chad Riden and D. J. Buckley have ever done - AGAIN.

That's right last year the "Broken Record Comedy Show" shattered the previous record for the LONGEST STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW – MULTIPLE COMEDIANS” at The East Room in Nashville, TN. The non-stop 184 hour, 16 minute long standup comedy show that more than doubled the previous record set by a group of comedians at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, CA.

The show featured about 100 comedians, including surprise celebrity guest sets from Hannibal Buress, Eric Andre, Rory Scovel, Nate Bargatze, Luis J. Gomez, Keith Alberstadt, Jon Reep, Ahmed Ahmed and more.

Beginning at 11:59am on Sunday, May 15th, 2016, Nashville StandUp will attempt to break it’s own COMEDY RECORD ... by five minutes.

The non-stop 8+ day schedule will feature showcases, feature-length, and headliner-length sets, and will include surprise drop-ins from comedians of various levels of fame and fortune. The brainchild of Nashville-based comic DJ Buckley, this record-breaking show is being co-produced by Nashville-based comedian Chad Riden and The East Room’s Ben Jones.

Listen in as we discuss ...

• valuable lessons learned from the first attempt
• where to stack a few extra comics in case you need someone on stage at 3 a.m.
• why the support of local comics made all the difference
• how the show almost fell apart - more than once
• how much the event costs to put on
• what requirements you need in order to take part this year
• how to submit your name for participation
• a special code you can use to waive the $10 entry fee
• how you can support the event even if you can't attend / perform

and much, much more.

Also in this episode, Chad and I answer two listener questions.

1) Should you adjust your set list depending on where you go in the line up?

2) Do you have any tips for memorizing your set? Check out these two posts for extra tips on this question:

JOIN US - BE A PART OF HISTORY ... AGAIN!

Tickets are on sale NOW at special EARLY BIRD prices. Here’s the facebook event.

If creating better material and more jokes before the record breaking show is on your "to do" list, please consider enrolling in the ONLINE COMEDY WRITING CLASS (coupon below).

==

Subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun.

Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

Follow @SCHOOLOFLAUGHS on Twitter

Would you like to be part of a record setting group of comedians? Did you miss your chance last year? Now is the time to make plans for being part of the "greatest, dumbest thing" Chad Riden and D. J. Buckley have ever done - AGAIN.

That's right last year the "Broken Record Comedy Show" shattered the previous record for the LONGEST STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW – MULTIPLE COMEDIANS” at The East Room in Nashville, TN. The non-stop 184 hour, 16 minute long standup comedy show that more than doubled the previous record set by a group of comedians at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, CA.

The show featured about 100 comedians, including surprise celebrity guest sets from Hannibal Buress, Eric Andre, Rory Scovel, Nate Bargatze, Luis J. Gomez, Keith Alberstadt, Jon Reep, Ahmed Ahmed and more.

Beginning at 11:59am on Sunday, May 15th, 2016, Nashville StandUp will attempt to break it’s own COMEDY RECORD ... by five minutes.

The non-stop 8+ day schedule will feature showcases, feature-length, and headliner-length sets, and will include surprise drop-ins from comedians of various levels of fame and fortune. The brainchild of Nashville-based comic DJ Buckley, this record-breaking show is being co-produced by Nashville-based comedian Chad Riden and The East Room’s Ben Jones.

Listen in as we discuss ...

and much, much more.

Also in this episode, Chad and I answer two listener questions.

1) Should you adjust your set list depending on where you go in the line up?

2) Do you have any tips for memorizing your set? Check out these two posts for extra tips on this question:

JOIN US - BE A PART OF HISTORY ... AGAIN!

Tickets are on sale NOW at special EARLY BIRD prices. Here’s the facebook event.

If creating better material and more jokes before the record breaking show is on your "to do" list, please consider enrolling in the ONLINE COMEDY WRITING CLASS (coupon below).

==

Subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun.

Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

Follow @SCHOOLOFLAUGHS on Twitter

Want to hear how a first full year as a professional stand-up comedian unfolds? This is the podcast for you! Brian Bates visits to share what he learned. Brian, a former School Of Laughs student, left his full time job at a TV station where he worked for 20 years to pursue his dream.

Among other things, I asked him:

1) What were your goals beginning the year?

2) How will you change those in year #2?

3) How many nights did you get on stage?

4) How many weeks at comedy clubs did you book?

5) How many corporate or special events did you book?

6) What gigs came as a surprise this year?

7) What gigs did you think you would get that you didn’t?

8) Why are some gigs more difficult to book?

8) Approximately how far out were the gigs booked? Short notice (2-6 weeks) or longer?

9) How important was the networking aspect in getting booked, making connections?

10) How much material do you think you generated this year?

11) What other experiences in 2015 helped you become a better comedian?

12) Where do you think you need to spend the most time to improve in the new year?

And much, much more.

If you need help in targeting your goals for 2016, send us and email to [email protected] and request the GOALS TRACKER tip sheet. And ask to be subscribed to the Insider Tip Sheet Newsletter.

You may also enjoy the first interview with Brian before he went full time.

Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone!

Subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun. Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

Follow @SCHOOLOFLAUGHS on Twitter

Want to hear how a first full year as a professional stand-up comedian unfolds? This is the podcast for you! Brian Bates visits to share what he learned. Brian, a former School Of Laughs student, left his full time job at a TV station where he worked for 20 years to pursue his dream.

Among other things, I asked him:

1) What were your goals beginning the year?

2) How will you change those in year #2?

3) How many nights did you get on stage?

4) How many weeks at comedy clubs did you book?

5) How many corporate or special events did you book?

6) What gigs came as a surprise this year?

7) What gigs did you think you would get that you didn’t?

8) Why are some gigs more difficult to book?

8) Approximately how far out were the gigs booked? Short notice (2-6 weeks) or longer?

9) How important was the networking aspect in getting booked, making connections?

10) How much material do you think you generated this year?

11) What other experiences in 2015 helped you become a better comedian?

12) Where do you think you need to spend the most time to improve in the new year?

And much, much more.

If you need help in targeting your goals for 2016, send us and email to [email protected] and request the GOALS TRACKER tip sheet. And ask to be subscribed to the Insider Tip Sheet Newsletter.

You may also enjoy the first interview with Brian before he went full time.

Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone!

Subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun. Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

Follow @SCHOOLOFLAUGHS  on Twitter

Have you thought about your goals for the upcoming year? Have you reflected on the past year and what you did (and didn't) accomplish? Gavin Miller and I reflect on our past goals and goals for the future.

Gavin’s plans were altered when he found out he will be a father in February 2016. This has helped him get focused in some ways. But in others, it adds a whole new level of anxiety.

His list of goals included:

• Quitting his day job
• Starting his own business
• Getting more stage time

My list of goals included:

• A new hour of stand-up material recorded by the end of the year
• A new CD of comedy songs
• Create an online comedy business class
• 52 Youtube videos up for the School Of Laughs channel

Accomplishments that were not on my goals list include:

• Writing and delivering three new hours of “speeches”

My goals to knock out in 2016 include:

• Finishing out the unfinished goals from 2015
• Recording a DVD of my comedy show
• Blogging more on both of my sites

2016 Goals for Gavin include:

• Focusing more on creating comedy
• Starting a new open mic

If you need help in targeting your goals for 2016, send us and email to [email protected] and request the GOALS TRACKER tip sheet. And ask to be subscribed to the Insider Tip Sheet Newsletter.

If creating better material and more jokes is on your list, please consider enrolling in the ONLINE COMEDY WRITING CLASS.

Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone!

Have you thought about your goals for the upcoming year? Have you reflected on the past year and what you did (and didn't) accomplish? Gavin Miller and I reflect on our past goals and goals for the future.

Gavin’s plans were altered when he found out he will be a father in February 2016. This has helped him get focused in some ways. But in others, it adds a whole new level of anxiety.

His list of goals included:

My list of goals included:

Accomplishments that were not on my goals list include:

My goals to knock out in 2016 include:

2016 Goals for Gavin include:

If you need help in targeting your goals for 2016, send us and email to [email protected] and request the GOALS TRACKER tip sheet. And ask to be subscribed to the Insider Tip Sheet Newsletter.

If creating better material and more jokes is on your list, please consider enrolling in the ONLINE COMEDY WRITING CLASS.

Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone!