Mission for this weekend...

...If you can get past that discouragement, you'll be fine...

So even though yesterday was a challenge, my goal is to get a solid set down on paper so that I can get on stage. (It's been two weeks since I've been on stage.)

Oh! I forgot to mention that I ran into two comedians yesterday while en route to our comedic meeting.

On the way to the meet-up spot, I ran into Zack Galifianakis,¹ [zæk ˌgæ.lə.fə.ˈnæ.kəs] whose last name I still can't pronounce. I think I ended up saying,

"Hey, aren't you, uh, Zack, the comedian?" Smooth move, Lucy.

I get giddy when I meet celebrities, especially comedians. Particularly, when I respect their work so much. It's more the fact that they get up on stage and spill their guts. And if they're lucky, people enjoy their performance and ideally paid to be there!

As always, I asked him any advice he's willing to dole out.

I'll paraphrase: He mentioned he wasn't one for advice. But he did reiterate what Mr. Louis CK mentioned earlier--that you must fail and fail and fail, until you get the hang of it. I asked him how long he's been doing it for. Answer: Failing for 11 years. Yikes! (I questioned my dedication after he said that.)

"If you can get past that discouragement, you'll be fine," he said.

How long did it take him to get his swing? Answer: He said he's still working on it. He also mentioned that it took him longer because he had to build his self-esteem on stage. Talk about free psychological counseling. Just get up on stage.

"It took me longer because I didn't feel confident in the beginning."

He was dragging a small suitcase as he turned for the subway and made the comment,

"In fact, I'm going to Albany to go bomb right now."

With that, I thanked him for his time and wished him well on this next performance.

The other comedian I met was Craig Baldo¹, whose work I wasn't familiar with until his performance at this past ITU Show. He indulged me for a bit. I asked him my round of questions. I told him that I just ran into Zack. He told me about house comedian's house swap, a comforting story.

You know me. I always take these random encounters with comedian celebs meeting as good omens, especially when it's on a day when I'm meeting with people specifically for the sole purpose of creating comedy!

~ Lucy

¹Zack Galifianakis [Official Site|MySpace|Wikipedia] [Return to Entry]

²Craig Baldo [Official Site|MySpace|Invite Them Up Album] [Return to Entry]

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Meeting of the Minds #2

Another productive meeting. I met with Comedy Buddy "F".
The deal is, I would help F organize (paperwork, her room, etc.) if F helped me tighten my jokes. I have so much material to get through that I needed specific help.

Dilemma #1:
I speak very quickly, and I forget that people can't absorb info (premise, set-up, punchline) of a joke, as fast as I speak. So I will have to make a concerted effort to slow down my mode of speech. Even as I write this, my hands aren't moving fast enough to capture my thoughts.

So we tackled some of my ideas. I didn't agree with all of the suggestions, mainly because there's a specific comedic voice I'm looking for and I wasn't confident the one F was providing was the one that matched in my head. But at this point in time, I need to just use any voice and move on from there.

I remember when Jason Alexander spoke about his first reading of the character "George Costanza" from Seinfeld. He simply was doing a straight Woody Allen impression. And slowly "George" as we know it came about. I expect the same will happen with my comedic voice.

We (F and I) made a pact not to share ideas and signed a non-disclosure agreements protecting both of us.

For the most part, that afternoon/evening was relatively relaxed. I'm never relaxed in another person's home. It's next to impossible for me to feel comfortable. But I was fed, which helped calm my qualms (try saying that 3x fast.)

F was happy with the meeting and called me soon after (perhaps 1 hour later), basically as soon as I stepped in the door of the apartment. F said we should meet again tomorrow. F seems really excited, which inspires me to strive for more out of comedy.

C-yu tomorrow
~Lucy

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A meeting of the minds

So I've been given advice. I'm a sucker for advice and extra info. The problem with me is that I tend not to filter the solid advice from the crap. I take it all in. Yeah, I'm a "Gull-i-bull," as Wayne from Wayne's World would say.

To avoid me completely getting snowed, I tend to seek the advice of many all at once. Preferable the many, all of us, are in pursuit of achieving a common goal. The meeting would be the means leading to a clear and concise end. Ideally this meeting would take place in a chamber or room, if you will. We, the many, would be throwing ideas out at each other. It would be a regular British Parliament.

"Yay!"
"Nay!"
"Here-here!"

I dissect and digest better when there are several points of view around. Recently, I placed an ad on Craigslist stating that I'm looking for Comedic Partners/Writing Partners. Ideally, these partners would be other comedians/iennes that would like to "make it," whatever "make it," means.

And so far it worked out fairly well.

My ad went a little something like this:

Hello, fellow aspiring comic! I need a comic buddy. Someone willing to meet up everyday to freshen up and heighten my comedy set. I will be writing new material every day and I need someone to bounce ideas off of.

This is supposed to serve a DUAL purpose.

I, in return, will offer the same support.

But you need to be SERIOUS about this pursuit! (Over the next 1.5 - 2 years of honest "balls-to-the-wall" dedicated writing and performance!)

We will help each other out:

- attend open mics together
- give encouragement when needed
- offer advice, interpret, add to current material

This relationship will grow into a comedy team (although on stage it will be a solo pursuit)... but we all need cheerleaders!

If I receive more than one answer, I have no problem turning this into a writing group (no more than 5). But once again, you need to be serious about this and be able to hang many a late night.

Influences:
Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, Demetri Martin, Mike Birbiglia, Dave Attell, Sarah Silverman, Kathy Griffin...


Here are all my responses:

Person A: "Hi, I'm responding to your ad on craigslist. I don't see myself as a performer...maybe I'll try who knows, if I've got the balls. anyway, I like to think I know what's funny. I just recently got into writing. I thought it was a waste talking to the TV when I should be writing this stuff down. I'm working on several writing/tv projects right now, but I'm game if there's a chance to be creative. Give me a call to discuss."

Person B: "first me: 26, transplant from midwest but been in nyc for 3 yrs....public school teacher although never intended to be (its a good story)....taken classes at UCB¹ but haven't gotten serious as i just finished a grad degree i never intended again (related)...usually use capital letters...u get it.....anyway, ready to get serious in the coming months, especially considering i'm now done with grad school and have july/august off.....sarcastic, dry, inappropriate....alright, anyway, hit me back"

Person C: "hi! I am am comic as well. Wondering if you found what you are looking for. I'm not available everyday, but if you want an online compañero, or a phone friend, perhaps I could help out. Have you been to many open mics? What were your thoughts? I haven't been to any here yet. Thanks"

Person D: "Hi, I am a freelance copywriter. In ad school, we had to take a stand-up class. Very hard! But I am thinking, if I have some value to you, you may have some value to me - getting inspired by other creative endeavors is perfect for me to improve my own ideas.

I also hold the belief that low-brow or high-brow - it's all the same! I'm not snobby because cleverness has no bounds. Kinda like Beethoven and the Ramones, right? One is much more moronic than the other, but that's not to say that the Ramones are not relevant.

Anywho, I'm babbling at this point. If your interest is piqued, shoot me an email, ask me whatever you want"

Person E: "Interesting idea. I think I’d be more into a group thing than a 1-on-1 (this really does sound like a Craigslist reply, doesn’t it…). Let me know if you’d like to get together, or if you’re getting a group together.
Cheers-"

Person F: "Hi, I think this could be a match. I started doing stand-up 10 years ago in NY, moved to LA from '96-'05, and — after a long hiatus — have just barely gotten back to normal in Manhattan. Aside from a handful of bringer performances since June, I haven't done the open mic, hanging out at clubs, and hoping to go on late night for no pay, get recognized and cast in commercials, etc., DREAM lately. I never made it past bringers in LA -- but I'm way funny and I love helping others tweak their jokes and performances."

Person G: "I am responding to your ad on Craigslist,(obviously) I am an ex Wall St trader who has been told for years to be a comedian. I am very interested in talking with you about this because the only thing i lack is the confidence. I have also written a pretty funny book, but you probably have never heard of it because no one ever wanted to read it. I am very interested in current events (truth is stranger than fiction) and i feel that I can make a living in comedy on the back of my take on current events."

Person H: "I'll keep this short and to the point. I've also begun writing and doing standup comedy in the area, and know the importance of somebody to bounce ideas off of. If you want to talk further, or compare ideas, feel free to respond at your leisure. Thanks."

All these were responses within the first week. I posted the ad on a Mon and the responses trickled in, ending Fri.

So this proves Craigslist is not as scary as it might seem, especially if you ask the universe for what you really want. I'm a big believer in sending out positive vibes, asking for what you really want/desire, and the universe hands it you.

I met up with Person D, E, and F that Wed and then Person C and H Thursday. It turned out great. Next week we're going to kick it in high gear and see where it takes us.

**Awesome Omen Alert!**
While waiting for the meeting to convene at the obligatory Starbux location, well-established comedian David Cross² walked by the window I was facing. I wanted to jump up, run after him, and say "Hello." But I was afraid I would lose the three chairs and a table I had previously staked out. I considered it a good omen, seeing as the reason I was sitting there in the first place was because of comedy.

See you next post!
~Lucy

¹UCB = [Official NY website|Upright Citizens Brigade] [Return to Entry]


²David Cross [Official Bob and David website|MySpace|Wikipedia] [Return to Entry]

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