Laughing in the Face of Fear: A Man’s Month-Long Journey into Stand-Up Comedy

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Laughing in the Face of Fear: A Man’s Month-Long Journey into Stand-Up Comedy

In the heartwarming and hilariously informative journey of Max Hertan, we are taken along his month-long quest to become a stand-up comedian. Starting with no jokes, no material, and no experience on stage, Max plunges headfirst into the comedy world, seeking to refine his humorous insights into a performance-ready act.

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Key things learned during Max’s month-long comedic adventure:

  1. Starting with Basic Ideas: Max began by brainstorming joke ideas, which is crucial to comedy. The essence of stand-up is being able to turn everyday observations and experiences into humorous content that resonates with audiences.
  2. Getting Feedback: Reaching out to established comedians like Josh Glanc and Michael Shafer was a brilliant move. It’s crucial to get feedback on your jokes, both from professionals and from friends. This helped Max understand what was working and what needed improvement.
  3. Facing Fear and Failure: Max experienced the nerve-wracking journey from the first gig to the comedy competition, Raw Comedy. Overcoming stage fright, dealing with occasional silence, and handling the inconsistency of audience reactions are all essential experiences for any comedian. Max quickly realized that bombing is a part of the journey, and it’s something every comedian must experience.
  4. Understanding Timing and Delivery: Max learned the significance of comedic timing and delivery by talking to Ashley Fils-Aime. This included the importance of speaking slowly, pausing for effect, and overselling the jokes. Even a good joke can fall flat if the delivery isn’t right.
  5. Rewriting and Refining Jokes: Max shared his process of turning an idea into a fully-fledged joke. This included brainstorming, performing it to friends and comedians, refining the joke based on feedback, and eventually performing it on stage.
  6. Embracing Disappointments: Max didn’t make it to the next round of the comedy competition, but he embraced the disappointment with grace. The journey is as important as the end result, and every step along the way is an opportunity to learn and grow.

In conclusion, Max Hertan’s one-month challenge to become a stand-up comedian offered a multitude of lessons about the art of comedy. His journey reminds us that comedy, like any skill, requires courage, practice, feedback, and constant refining to master. And most importantly, he highlighted that the journey towards any goal, comedic or otherwise, is filled with highs, lows, and valuable learning moments. Happy learning!

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