Filed under: financial progress, stand-up journal, video | Tags: audience, cold, crowd, warming up
Cold.
The weather. The comics. The audience.
Last weekend’s November 22nd show had probably one of the slowest starts I’ve seen in a while. After the host and two comics, the audience was flatlining. Then, it was my turn.
I have had this type of crowd before, about two months ago. I chronicled it in Sophomore Dip – an experience that made me realize I always have to be the one in control of the crowd’s energy. So I went out there and got the crowd riled up. New Halloween joke? Make an excuse to have the crowd cheer for Halloween. I’m Asian? Make them pointlessly cheer for being Asian. Yes, it makes no sense, but it’s fun, and it gets the show going. People paid $15 to see a show. Make it worth it.
The show wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, but at least I brought the defibrillators. It was decent enough that I think all comedy clubs should have soundtracks after each performance. I would have loved to dance offstage to “Heat it up.”
Thanks to Mikel, Laura, Jeff, and Andrew who came out to support. I’m glad you guys got to see a decent set. Thanks to two great audience members, Jessie and Kenna (? – Sorry, I might have forgotten your name), who told me, “you were the best comic tonight.”
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Update on financial progress:
Total support to date: 18 people
Total number of people who gave me a high-five after my performance: 1 person
Total number of people who are said, “you were the best one tonight”: 2 people
Previous dollar TOTAL: $26.95
How much I made from 4th Bringer Show: $20
Cost of DVD from 4th Bringer Show: $0
TOTAL: $6.95
Filed under: stand-up journal | Tags: Andy Samberg, Asian comedian, audience, black, bobcat, energy, half-Korean, high-five, recap, review, tape, voice
Tonight was a phenomenal show. Not only was I able to balance a decent amount of improv, but the audience just had great energy throughout. Thanks Jen and Val for coming out to support – once again I have surprised a pair of nervous skeptics. For the rest of you who couldn’t make it, thanks for helping me get my time cut short1 and forcing me to do some last minute thinking on my feet for what to cut. I really can’t wait to post this one up for you guys to watch.
As I mentioned previously in Sophomore Dip my last performance wasn’t exactly the best. I got home, watched tape, and didn’t even want to show it. My gestures were distracting. I didn’t commit to my character. I let the semi-tired audience control the tempo. No, no, and no!
So I watched tape again. And again. And again. I edited my mistakes and sharpened my voice, which is still a bit problematic2, but improvement will come. This was Oral Communications as a business major in college all over again (shout out to Professor Hajduk). With all the review, I changed my mentality, went out tonight and ripped it.
After the show, a half-Korean girl named Jessica came up to me and said, “High-five, Asian man! I’m half-Korean.” So I high-fived her, not knowing what “I’m half-Korean” had to do with anything – was I supposed to feel more connected to her as opposed to if she were black? Either way, this marks the first time I have ever high-fived anyone since I was four. And yes, this paragraph is the only reason why I inserted an image of a bobcat high-fiving Andy Samberg.
She got me thinking, though. Should I start introducing myself as the Asian comedian around town who gives out business cards or something? That way people might be able to find me better.
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1If I don’t have 3 guests, I get 7 minutes instead of 10.
2I have a low register and I sound like I talk from my stomach, which isn’t necessarily bad, but I want it to be a little sharper.
