Chili Challis
Shopping Cart
Your Cart is Empty
Quantity:
Subtotal
Taxes
Shipping
Total
My Blog
Blog
YOU CAN'T TEACH COMEDY.
| Posted on January 7, 2015 at 3:08 PM |
comments (12)
|
I
was told recently in an off handed way that some talents don't
believe in coaching comics. I wasn't surprised, I've heard it before,
but for some reason this time it sparked a for real wonder (and not
in a sarcastic argumentative way); but more of a true "open for
enlightenment way” if those same talents believed in other coaches,
of anything? Acting, improv, baseball, basketball, conditioning of
any type, singing, painting, sculpture?? Why do they draw the line at
comedy? I love the fact that a few, I suppose you could say, are
attempting to elevate comedy to an art form spiritually above all
others. As a practicing stand up comic my ego yells, RIGHT ON!!!!..but really? What
makes up the basic reasoning or resistance that you can't coach stand
up comedians? I
for one don't need a preaching of how stand up comedy is an art form
and so shouldn't be assisted in any way. That's pure baloney. I
also don't need to be told you can't coach it. I DO! And it works. So
what is it? Perhaps
the whole idea of helping new talents got off on the wrong foot?
Without a doubt many pro comics frowned upon those pseudo comedy classes
that ran through the mid 90's and early 2000's in almost every comedy
club in America....(that were of course ran by people seeking to find
yet another way to choke a dollar out of the business and feed on the
uneducated). No question all of those 'comedy classrooms' run by non
legit 'teachers' expounding cookie cutter techniques gave true comedy
artists a bad taste. I'm one of those artists! Looking
on the positive side at least even those poor situations gave people
a chance to take a stage and get started, right?. I like unicorns. ;) I'm
just saying I above all others KNOW you need talent to do comedy. I
know you can't teach talent. I don't teach comedy talent. I DO coach
the shit out it though. Don't think I can? Try me. Now I'm being
argumentative. ;) Whatever happens, make it funny. End. ...but still wonderin'. |