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.

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.

Cycle 4 Comments

Arslan Amir
Kenny Daily
Sam Langman

VLOG!

Here is my blog post...

[Vimeo wasn't cooperating so I had to use YouTube]

Enjoy! :)

Week 3 Comments

Matt Thompson
Sarah Kollender
Jacob Kaffey

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...

• 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

Actually, as I was writing this, I was sent two very helpful texts...

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

Just paying attention to the way they presented was beneficial.


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

In addition to the above, I began writing down some topics and ideas that I could possibly create a routine around for the TED Talk. Since I was looking for relatable topics, I couldn't write about marriage, raising kids, or subjects of the sort - but I could write about things we as teenagers suffer through, like school. Therefore, I drafted some ideas relative to school. They are below...

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!

Week 1&2 Comments

Week 1
Sam Langman
Mohammed Rashid
Alexander Tappen


Week 2
Zoe Bentley
Harry Chernak
Arslan Amir