CYCLE 4
Kyle Moynahan
Jason Smith
David Weiss
REFLECTION
Mohammed Rashid
Friday, March 27, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Reflection :)
Wow. That flew by. I presented yesterday for almost five minutes but it felt like two.
It was a crazy feeling - while Matt was presenting (one presentation before mine), I wasn't mentally preparing myself as I do for all my presentations. I don't know if I was out of it, or just too nervous to think, or something else. Anyway, Matt had just finished with his questions and I walked slowly onto the stage, again, very out of it, kind of in a daze.
Now that I think about it, I was unbelievably nervous, which is why I'm so proud of myself. While I was practicing the night before, I was panicking more than I ever have before - I was at the point where I was almost in tears, freaking out on the floor of my bedroom. But I conquered my fear; I conquered my worry. I went up on stage and gave it my best shot, and that is the most I could've asked of myself.
I'll let you in on a little secret... that was not the routine I practiced the night before the presentation. It was something I'd looked at a few days before, but ultimately, I was going to present about a different topic. It was only in fourth period (one period before the presentation) that I actually presented my original routine, the one you guys heard, to Jacob Kaffey. To my surprise, he laughed! I asked him if he thought I should use it in the TED Talk, and he told me I should. So I basically had to prep myself during lunch (whilst also finalizing my CD project ;) ).
There was an issue, in my opinion, regarding the presentation just in general. I spoke a little quickly and a little robotic. I knew that my talking speed tended to pick up when I presented, and I tried to prepare for this, but I guess that I still messed that up.
If I had to rate myself on the whole presentation, I would give myself an 8.5 to a 9. I stepped outside my comfort zone and all, but that is no excuse to speak monotone and speak too quickly on the whole presentation. I did show you guys my final product in an effective way though (I think).
Ultimately, I was very pleased. Not only did I face a fear but I made you guys laugh (my ultimate goal)! I would like to thank you all for being supportive and laughing your way through my project and presentation, even if you were just faking the laughs.
Signing off for the last time,
Jacob
It was a crazy feeling - while Matt was presenting (one presentation before mine), I wasn't mentally preparing myself as I do for all my presentations. I don't know if I was out of it, or just too nervous to think, or something else. Anyway, Matt had just finished with his questions and I walked slowly onto the stage, again, very out of it, kind of in a daze.
Now that I think about it, I was unbelievably nervous, which is why I'm so proud of myself. While I was practicing the night before, I was panicking more than I ever have before - I was at the point where I was almost in tears, freaking out on the floor of my bedroom. But I conquered my fear; I conquered my worry. I went up on stage and gave it my best shot, and that is the most I could've asked of myself.
I'll let you in on a little secret... that was not the routine I practiced the night before the presentation. It was something I'd looked at a few days before, but ultimately, I was going to present about a different topic. It was only in fourth period (one period before the presentation) that I actually presented my original routine, the one you guys heard, to Jacob Kaffey. To my surprise, he laughed! I asked him if he thought I should use it in the TED Talk, and he told me I should. So I basically had to prep myself during lunch (whilst also finalizing my CD project ;) ).
There was an issue, in my opinion, regarding the presentation just in general. I spoke a little quickly and a little robotic. I knew that my talking speed tended to pick up when I presented, and I tried to prepare for this, but I guess that I still messed that up.
If I had to rate myself on the whole presentation, I would give myself an 8.5 to a 9. I stepped outside my comfort zone and all, but that is no excuse to speak monotone and speak too quickly on the whole presentation. I did show you guys my final product in an effective way though (I think).
Ultimately, I was very pleased. Not only did I face a fear but I made you guys laugh (my ultimate goal)! I would like to thank you all for being supportive and laughing your way through my project and presentation, even if you were just faking the laughs.
Signing off for the last time,
Jacob
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Three Days Away!
I'm just three days away from my TED Talk (hence the title)!
Mixed emotions. Nervous. Excited. Stage Fright.
This week, I basically did a little more writing and eventually wrote my actual stand-up routine for the presentation. It was very tough - choosing a final topic and then writing about it was so frustrating. I went from school lunches to not getting called on, to like 4 more topics, and then finally chose one (it's down below).
One of my potential topics was basically a funny way of guilting (don't think that's a word) Perlman and McDaniels. I was going to say stuff like, "If I don't get a good grade on this, I don't think I'll ever be able to perform in front of a crowd again," and just go on about that.
I was also considering talking about teenage girl phrases.
"Oh my God, I can't even."
"I'm LITERALLY dying."
I think you could figure out what direction that was heading in.
While I liked those topics, I ended up choosing a different one that I liked even more.
ANYWAY.........................................
I'm almost ready to finally present --- As I mentioned earlier, I've written my whole stand-up routine. The topic is... going to be a surprise. I don't really want to say anything just because it would spoil the show! I've also finalized my general TED Talk as well.
This was my original goal: finish the stand-up/TED Talk over the weekend so that I have both Monday and Tuesday to practice. Check.
I'm unbelievably super duper nervous... not really how a comedian should be feeling. Well, maybe they feel nervous, but they don't show it on stage. Hopefully I don't show it on stage.
[I'm sorry about the following things I say - I was literally just writing my thoughts down]
For my presentation, I think I'll be wearing a T-shirt and jeans. Just about everyone has dressed up, or at least appropriately for their topics for their presentations. However, comedians tend not to dress up. It's more of a casual look.
I'm hoping to be able to use a microphone. I think it'll make me more comfortable and I'll be able to speak normally like I'll be practicing, rather than have to yell it.
Also, I was actually recommended by more than one person to bring up a stool and put a bottle of water on it. If you're confused by why that would be relevant, it's just something that comedians tend to do - walk on stage, take a drink of water, wait a little, and then begin.
I'm probably making no sense but I think you can figure out what I was saying.
Thanks so much for checking in on my blog these past weeks. It's much appreciated!
I'll see you all on Wednesday.
Mixed emotions. Nervous. Excited. Stage Fright.
This week, I basically did a little more writing and eventually wrote my actual stand-up routine for the presentation. It was very tough - choosing a final topic and then writing about it was so frustrating. I went from school lunches to not getting called on, to like 4 more topics, and then finally chose one (it's down below).
One of my potential topics was basically a funny way of guilting (don't think that's a word) Perlman and McDaniels. I was going to say stuff like, "If I don't get a good grade on this, I don't think I'll ever be able to perform in front of a crowd again," and just go on about that.
I was also considering talking about teenage girl phrases.
"Oh my God, I can't even."
"I'm LITERALLY dying."
I think you could figure out what direction that was heading in.
While I liked those topics, I ended up choosing a different one that I liked even more.
ANYWAY.........................................
I'm almost ready to finally present --- As I mentioned earlier, I've written my whole stand-up routine. The topic is... going to be a surprise. I don't really want to say anything just because it would spoil the show! I've also finalized my general TED Talk as well.
This was my original goal: finish the stand-up/TED Talk over the weekend so that I have both Monday and Tuesday to practice. Check.
I'm unbelievably super duper nervous... not really how a comedian should be feeling. Well, maybe they feel nervous, but they don't show it on stage. Hopefully I don't show it on stage.
[I'm sorry about the following things I say - I was literally just writing my thoughts down]
For my presentation, I think I'll be wearing a T-shirt and jeans. Just about everyone has dressed up, or at least appropriately for their topics for their presentations. However, comedians tend not to dress up. It's more of a casual look.
I'm hoping to be able to use a microphone. I think it'll make me more comfortable and I'll be able to speak normally like I'll be practicing, rather than have to yell it.
Also, I was actually recommended by more than one person to bring up a stool and put a bottle of water on it. If you're confused by why that would be relevant, it's just something that comedians tend to do - walk on stage, take a drink of water, wait a little, and then begin.
I'm probably making no sense but I think you can figure out what I was saying.
Thanks so much for checking in on my blog these past weeks. It's much appreciated!
I'll see you all on Wednesday.
Monday, March 16, 2015
A New Idea...
Hey guys,
This is going to be brief, but I just thought of a possible idea for my stand-up. It does involve sports, but obviously not everybody knows so much about sports, so I'd be making the script very generic, understandable and relatable.
The idea is baseball.
I personally think that baseball is a boring sport to both watch and play, though other people (Alex Tappen) may not necessarily agree. Still, part of stand-up comedy is picking a side of something and just going off and ranting about the point of view. I've already drafted a few lines/ideas that I could use in the routine (if I decide to use this). However, I will not share them with you unless I choose not to use this in the end - I don't want to spoil anything for you guys!
That's it for now - I'll be sure to keep you updated.
The idea is baseball.
I personally think that baseball is a boring sport to both watch and play, though other people (Alex Tappen) may not necessarily agree. Still, part of stand-up comedy is picking a side of something and just going off and ranting about the point of view. I've already drafted a few lines/ideas that I could use in the routine (if I decide to use this). However, I will not share them with you unless I choose not to use this in the end - I don't want to spoil anything for you guys!
That's it for now - I'll be sure to keep you updated.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Be Fearless
[1. I recommend using Internet Explorer for this]
[2. Click 'show all content' if the videos do not load]
This week, three things were done. I talked, I listened, and I wrote a little.
First, I had a conversation with my dad about comedy. He gave me some good advice, telling me this...
I also started to listen to comedy on YouTube and Pandora (well, with a purpose at least). I did this in hopes of learning some lessons and picking up on things from the greats, such as:
The video below is of Sam Kinison on World Hunger.
Anyway, I didn't take notes on these specific comedians, but I did take mental note of their similarities.
They...
Recently, I saw a skit on Saturday Night Live that was absolutely hilarious. However, it was controversial. Still, I'm going to post the video because I know it will make you laugh.
[sorry, but there was no video of just the skit - I had to use one with commentary]
Well, this concludes my post for this cycle. Over the days of the next cycle, I'm hoping to begin writing specific jokes/stories about the topics above. The only thing I'm worried about would be writing something that I ultimately want to use in my TED Talk, but would have to post in my blog, even though it would spoil my TED Talk... :(
Okay sorry I'll leave it there. See ya!
[2. Click 'show all content' if the videos do not load]
This week, three things were done. I talked, I listened, and I wrote a little.
First, I had a conversation with my dad about comedy. He gave me some good advice, telling me this...
- Everything can be funny.
- No matter what the topic is, If the delivery and emotion associated with it is appealing and humorous, you will be funny.
- Talk about universal experiences that people typically don't talk about but are common.
- There are lots of things that are uncomfortable for people to talk about - if YOU talk about them though, they will laugh.
- Talk about human nature.
- Attack, Attack, Attack - comedians are fearless.
- Make fun of someone or something. Don't be afraid.
- Be confident.
- Know you're funny
- Tell your audience you're funny
Thanks, Dad.
I also started to listen to comedy on YouTube and Pandora (well, with a purpose at least). I did this in hopes of learning some lessons and picking up on things from the greats, such as:
- George Carlin
- Chris Rock
- Rodney Dangerfield (whose real name was Jacob Cohen)
- Kevin Hart
- Sam Kinison (who I particularly enjoyed)
- Richard Pryor
The video below is of Sam Kinison on World Hunger.
Anyway, I didn't take notes on these specific comedians, but I did take mental note of their similarities.
They...
- Use different voices
- Make weird noises and sound effects
- Tell stories
- Interact with the audience
- Have fun on stage!
- Say things in ways people have never heard before
- Are clearly prepared, but their stories and anecdotes come across as impromptu
Recently, I saw a skit on Saturday Night Live that was absolutely hilarious. However, it was controversial. Still, I'm going to post the video because I know it will make you laugh.
[sorry, but there was no video of just the skit - I had to use one with commentary]
Well, this concludes my post for this cycle. Over the days of the next cycle, I'm hoping to begin writing specific jokes/stories about the topics above. The only thing I'm worried about would be writing something that I ultimately want to use in my TED Talk, but would have to post in my blog, even though it would spoil my TED Talk... :(
Okay sorry I'll leave it there. See ya!
Monday, March 2, 2015
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