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Philippe Schafer

This course will teach you some of the many ways comedians make people laugh with their thoughts and stories.

In turn, you will learn how to make your own thoughts and stories hilarious.

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This course will teach you some of the many ways comedians make people laugh with their thoughts and stories.

In turn, you will learn how to make your own thoughts and stories hilarious.

This course is a beginner's guide to learning stand up comedy and will explain and instruct you how to write and deliver jokes. The advice and tips in this course can be also be applied to many everyday situations and helpful to many different people:

1. Learn amazing public speaking skills (stand up comedy is the easiest way to get speaking time in front of people). I will tell you how to get stage time and how different shows are structured.

2. Learn how to make your stories funnier in everyday conversation. This course will go into detail about what you should write about and the different writing devices used to make your ideas funny.

3. Spice up your current public speaking skills with joke writing and comedy writing devices. This course will explain all the components needed to make an audience laugh.

4. Conquer a fear of public speaking.

5. Learn the beginning process involved in stand up comedy and the what it takes to perform stand up on a regular basis. Most people are huge fans of stand up comedy but they have no clue what the process is like.

6. You will also learn timing and delivery techniques that will allow you to speak with conviction and maximize the amount audience members pay attention to you.

7. Also, there are some specific ways that you should network and market your abilities in the comedy world. This course will explain some of the most effective methods.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Perform in front of a live audience!
  • Make an audience full of strangers laugh!
  • Learn how to effectively write funny jokes
  • Learn how to hold an audience's interest even under the most dismal circumstances

Syllabus

Overview and Preparation
This is a list of words that you will hear comedians say when you are out performing.  There are not that many.  I will be using them a lot during the lectures.
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You don't need too much preparation before your first time on stage.  Just get out there and make it happen!
Getting Stage Time
Assignment: Find Your First Show
How Do You Become Good? - Comedian Quotes
Writing down a few goals will help you stay focused!
Assignment: Write Down Your Goals
Stand Up Comedy Writing
Comedy Writing Introduction
Don't know what to talk about on stage?  Here are a few good suggestions...

Here is an explanation of different types of comedians and what they talk about!

Assignment: Write For An Hour

Your material should to be written in a certain format in order to maximize it's funnyness!

Assignment: Transcribe Jokes
Here are some very specific methods to make your writing hilarious!
Assignment: Edit Your Material
Here are some other ways to make your performance and writing come together!
In stand up comedy, editing your writing and your overall set is an incredible necessity!
One of the best elements of stand up comedy is that you can pretty much talk about ANYTHING on stage!  However, there may be a few instances where telling dirty jokes may not be a good idea...
Stage Time
When you are a new comedian on the comedy scene, you will do most of your shows at open mics.  Here is an explanation of what to expect!
Assignment: Perform At Different Open Mics
Besides open mics, you will periodically perform on showcases and at comedy clubs! 
Assignment: Watch Headliners Live
When you are out there performing, you have to be more than funny.  Be professional!
Performing Stand Up Comedy
Before you make people laugh, you need to possess basic presentation skills!
How you tell your jokes is just as, if not more important, than what you write!
Assignment: Copy Delivery

Watch me perform the same joke over and over! Observe how I fix set ups and add punchlines!

To maximize your laughs, you should start your sets in a certain way and put your jokes in a particular order!
Learn what to expect from the people that watch you perform!
Want your performance to be more dynamic?  Feel restricted by just writing jokes?  Talk to the audience!
Assignment: Crowd Work
Don't let people interrupt you!  Stay in control of your performance!
Don't be afraid of no laughs!  Failure is good!  If a performance isn't going your way, this lecture will tell you what to do!
Comedy Networking
Sometimes it's not all about making people laugh, you have to learn how to make yourself known!
Comedy Marketing
Hosting Comedy Shows
Start hosting shows and start getting paid to tell jokes!
Progressing Forward and Good Luck

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores basics of comedy writing and performance and can be applied to many everyday situations
Teaches the process of stand up comedy and the steps involved in performing on a regular basis
Explains specific techniques and methods used to make writing and performances more humorous
Provides networking and marketing tips to help learners promote their abilities in the comedy world
Covers stage time, which is essential for stand up comedians to develop their skills and build an audience
Includes hand-on assignments to help learners put into practice what they have learned

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Reviews summary

Beginner's stand up comedy guide

According to students, the Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy is an easy and enjoyable way to get started with stand up comedy. They note that the interface is amazing and easy to use while multitasking.
The course has an intuitive interface.
"The interface is amazing and it’s easy to listen to while doing tasks!"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy with these activities:
Participate in a comedy workshop
Gain hands-on experience and insights by attending a comedy workshop.
Browse courses on Hands-on Experience
Show steps
  • Find a comedy workshop or class that aligns with your interests and goals.
  • Attend the workshop and participate actively in the exercises.
  • Seek guidance and feedback from the instructors.
  • Network with other aspiring comedians and industry professionals.
Contribute to comedy-related open-source projects
Expand your skillset and connect with the comedy community by contributing to open-source projects.
Browse courses on Collaboration
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects related to comedy, such as joke databases or comedy analysis tools.
  • Familiarize yourself with the project's codebase and contribution guidelines.
  • Make contributions to the project, such as fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.
  • Interact with other contributors and learn from their perspectives.
Mentor aspiring comedians
Deepen your understanding and solidify your skills by sharing your knowledge with others.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Identify aspiring comedians who could benefit from your guidance.
  • Offer your support and mentorship.
  • Provide feedback on their jokes and performances.
  • Share your insights and experiences from your own comedy journey.
  • Encourage and motivate them to pursue their goals.
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Create a Stand-Up Comedy Set
Showcase your skills and creativity by producing a polished stand-up comedy set.
Show steps
  • Write and refine a set of jokes and stories.
  • Practice your set regularly to improve your timing and delivery.
  • Find opportunities to perform your set in front of audiences.
  • Seek feedback from experienced comedians or comedy professionals.
  • Make adjustments and improvements based on the feedback received.

Career center

Learners who complete Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Salesperson
The Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy emphasizes the importance of storytelling and persuasion. Salespeople use these techniques to build relationships with customers and close deals.
Teacher
The Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy teaches students how to effectively communicate and engage with an audience. These skills are essential for teachers, who need to be able to captivate students and convey information clearly.
Comedian
The Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy provides the skills and knowledge to become a successful comedian. The course teaches how to write funny jokes, perform in front of a live audience, and market oneself as a comedian. Comedians use many of the same skills taught in this course, such as public speaking, storytelling, and audience engagement.
Comedy Writer
The Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy offers a comprehensive introduction to comedy writing. Students will learn how to develop jokes, write monologues, and structure a comedy set. Comedy writers use many of the same techniques taught in this course, such as joke structure, timing, and delivery.
Public Speaker
The Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy includes a module on public speaking skills. Students will learn how to speak with confidence, engage an audience, and handle hecklers. Stand up comedy is a great way to develop public speaking skills, which can be valuable in various careers, including public speaking, teaching, and sales.
Event Planner
The Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy includes a module on hosting comedy shows. Students will learn how to book talent, promote events, and manage logistics. These skills are essential for event planners, who need to be able to plan and execute successful events.
Marketing Manager
The Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy includes a module on comedy marketing. Students will learn how to create a brand, promote their work, and network with industry professionals. These skills are essential for marketing managers, who need to be able to market their products or services effectively.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ultimate Beginner's Class to Learn Stand Up Comedy.
Classic guide to stand-up comedy, written by one of the most respected comedians in the business. It covers all aspects of stand-up comedy, from writing jokes to performing on stage.
Offers a practical guide to the craft of stand-up comedy, covering aspects such as stage presence, timing, delivery, and audience interaction. It provides exercises and examples to help comedians improve their skills.
Practical guide to stand-up comedy, written by a successful stand-up comedian. It covers all the basics of stand-up comedy, from writing jokes to performing on stage.
Presents insights and anecdotes from the legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld, sharing his perspectives on the art of stand-up comedy. It offers advice on finding material, writing jokes, and connecting with audiences.
Provides a comprehensive guide to stand-up comedy, covering topics such as writing, performing, and marketing. It features contributions from renowned comedians and industry professionals, offering valuable insights and practical advice.
Offers a comprehensive guide to the business side of stand-up comedy, covering topics such as booking gigs, negotiating contracts, and building a career. It provides valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring comedians.
While not specifically focused on stand-up comedy, this book offers valuable insights into the art of writing humorous content. It explores the techniques and principles of humor and provides exercises to help writers develop their comedic writing skills.
Offers a comprehensive guide to the art of being funny, covering topics such as finding your comedic voice, developing your material, and connecting with audiences. It provides insights and exercises to help aspiring comedians develop their comedic skills.
This comprehensive handbook provides a scholarly exploration of the field of humor research, covering topics such as the psychology of humor, the evolution of humor, and the cultural aspects of humor. While not specifically focused on stand-up comedy, it offers valuable insights into the nature and impact of humor.
Presents a scientific exploration of humor, examining the psychological and physiological factors that contribute to laughter. While not directly related to stand-up comedy, it offers insights into the nature of humor and the mechanisms that make it effective.

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