Have any of you ever taken comedy classes or gone to any comedy school? Do you know anyone that has? I'm wondering if its worth the money to give it a shot I was looking at http://www.comedyinstitute.com/ and it sparked my interest. I was just wondering if any of you could share experiences that you had at any of these places if you have attended. Thanks
You need to have the right expectations, and the right teacher.
Meaning: Don't expect a class to make you funny, or to do the work for you. If you're sitting with a notebook of half-formed ideas, and hitting open mics seems like too much of a leap at the moment, a class may be exactly what you need. Likewise if you're hitting those open mics, not feelin' it, are not progressing, and don't have a real sounding board (ie. a professional, rather than your idiot friends).
I can't speak to that particular school, but I think a good idea would be to find out when a class's graduation show is, go watch it, and see if you're inspired. And don't be afraid to pose a ton of questions to the instructor in advance, to see if it feels right to you.
I'm lucky enough to have friends who've been doing standup 10 or 15 years, and who wouldn't be afraid to tell me exactly what's wrong with a bit. For free. But if I were to put a dollar value on that resource, I would say that class would be worth it. (Again, though, it's a pretty individual thing.)
I've taken improv classes and believe me, they are worth every cent. I've tried my share at stand-up but improv and sketch are where I work best.
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Classes are a great place to meet people too. Forming a private group and hanging out with other aspiring comedians outside of class adds a ton of practice and repetitions to your training belt. Just don't date or sleep with any girls you meet in an improv class. THEY ARE INSANE.
Fair warning.
You really are more of a sketch improv kinda guy.Originally Posted by thecomedian
Yeah, I've heard GREAT things about sketch and improv classes and programs. Especially places with good reputations like UCBT, Second City, Annoyance Theater yadda yadda. Standup I've heard pretty mixed things about but it seems like you probably don't get much more out of it than just going out and getting the experience and learning from that. But if you feel like you'd really like to start out doing it with a supportive group I guess that's not so bad. Maybe a little too expensive just for that though.
I took a standup class. It was a little cheezy, but it got me telling jokes right. When I see some other newbies perform I think they could've used a little schoolin.
Comedy Boot Camp!
I recommend taking a class if you are to nervous to get up on stage in front of an open mic. But once you have gone to open mics there really isn't any need for a class anymore.
Stand up is all about YOU and what you feel/ think is funny and a class may dilute that, especially if they give you advice on tweaking the punchline and not giving you the chance to evolve it yourself.
As for Improv, those are the best classes. Lots of fun, way more than stand up class.
I go to the UCB training center. Its fun.
Anyone here done the UCLA animation program? This thread seems to be a great place to ask and I really like the look of their program on paper, just wanted to see how people liked it.
It's kind of like taking swimming lessons (or learning any new skill for that matter). If you have no idea how to swim, then you'll probably want to take classes to learn the basics and start off right. But if you're cheap and you know how to float, then feel free to jump in the water yourself and do the doggie paddle to see if that eventually turns into freestyle.
I went to a free comedy seminar recently (basically an advertorial to try to get you to sign up for their stand-up comedy classes), and it seems like the main thing you learn is how to get over stage fright. Since I personally have been performing (things other than stand-up) for decades and don't have stage fright, I felt it wasn't necessary for me. However if I had decided to shell out for classes (and they were pretty expensive), it would've probably helped me improve (assuming I took it seriously and wrote a ton, listened to feedback, etc). But instead I'd rather just hit a bunch of open mics and see what happens.
Sorry to bump such an old thread, but I'm thinking about doing Second City online. Anybody done this? I think I'm still going to take it regardless but just want to make sure the learning is there.
I had no idea such a thing existed. I'll have to check it out.
I've heard good things from stand ups that take Improv classes. I really want to check it out and incorporate some of that into my stand up.
Now that I know it exists, I'm tempted to do it. I'm not sure how much good "Learn sketch writing by mail" is going to do, but I like the idea.
Hey! Someone mentioned Comedy Boot Camp. There's one in NYC in July and I was thinking of checking it out. I'm a little over a year in and am at the point where I'm playing 2-4 "real" shows a month in addition to open mics, but I still feel like I'm missing something. Has anyone done CBC, and if you have what was it like.
I also apologize if this has been answered so please feel free to blast me as long as you link me to the thread.
Thanks!
-Dave
sounds wonderful.
Jackie, how did you find me?? It was a long time ago, and a mistake.
I took a "cheap" stand up class with Buddy Flip in the redundantly named New York Comedy Club. It helped motivate me to write alot more especially in terms of different types of material and how to handle a mic properly(which was probably the most important thing I learned and noticed about other open mic performers). It also introduced me to other wannabe stand up comedians which was horrible but I made one friend out of it; who actually can talk to me without saying "So How long have you been doing it" and other annoying zombie networking nonsense.
Here in Boston one of the smaller classes is taught by Comic Vet Rich Gustus. It's inexpensive, 8 weeks, and focused on writing exercises.
Before I had ever gotten on stage I started this class, then my anxiety kicked in and I made it to 2 classes before freaking out and givin up.
I then started doing mics, saw Rich around a lot, and he said if I ever wanted to finish the class then come back and do so no extra charge. I took him up on it.
Honestly, after over a year in, it's going to give me as much as I put in. It gives me a lot of exercises and tools to help apply a variety of techniques to my writing. Will it make me better on stage? Not necessarily. But it has helped add depth and flavor to my jokes as well as angles to add toppers and twists on previously written material.
I'm all for classes that are for the benefits of writers in terms of networking with other comics and learning techniques but any classes that suggests you will be funny after you take it is a rip off.
So... 'comedy school' sounds bad.
'Be a better writer' sounds good.
that's my $.02
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