After sitting around and making promises to myself - the ones that say I'm going to follow my dreams, I've decided to, well, follow my dreams. I'm not setting out to be famous. That's not the essence of what I want out of life. What I want to do is have a sustainable career as a comic. Currently, I have a solid day job, working as a video editor. I have a job working within a creative field that allows me to stretch my creative muscles. But I want more than just sitting behind a computer and piecing together other people's visions. I have my own, and I want to express that. I love comedy, and appreciate stand up as an incredible art form - one that I want to pursue seriously as a career.
The thing is I'm getting old. The older you get, the more you start to think about giving up on your dreams. I'm certainly not new to comedy. I did my first open mic way back in 2001, but I wasn't serious about it. It was more of a hobby. Even when I moved to New York, I focused more on working in production, keeping the comedy as a side project that I'd do for fun. But then, things changed. Suddenly, I saw comedy as the field I wanted to be a part of. And over the last three years, it wasn't a hobby anymore, but something to pursue, to develop, to excel. Yet mostly, I have sat on my hands and watched others succeed. No more. I need to get away from the hand sitting (makes your hands fall asleep).
I'm a decent comic. I get the laughs I want while up on stage. That's the great thing about this business - instant gratification. As an editor, I can wait a long time before I get any feedback on my work. During a set, I know as soon as I have finished a joke or a set if it will work. It's alive, always changing. It creates an energy inside me that can no longer be relegated to a hobby, but rather a need. Not to sound cliche (though I am certainly about to with a lead in like that), but it is my life, my calling. I know that I can be more than a "decent comic." Without a doubt, I can get better by having more stage time, getting out there . I want what many want: to be a successful comic.
So, what is this all about? Well, title of this blog entry, I am going to document my next year as I move to seriously pursue comedy. I'm setting mini goals for myself and plan to document my progress. It doesn't matter if anyone reads this. I discovered I lost a lot of weight doing weight watchers because it forces you to log and keep track of progress. Thus, this blog will help me keep a record of my goals, and also, keep me diligent about accomplishing those goals.
As of now, I have an audition at Comic Strip Live on August 11. I need to develop my set, create a tight five minutes, and introduce an audience to my character. I need stage time to get out there and wrestle my living creation and hone it into something memorable.
My goal this week is to get me some head shots. I have a great opportunity to get them made by a guy who does head shots of some big name actors. I don't drop names, so I won't here. Also, I plan on seeing as many shows as I can over the week, as well as find a couple of open mics to perform. I want to do a minimum of 3 open mics a week. Anything less is unacceptable. And I will keep a tab on where I go, and what I see.
Also, this week I have a show at the Producers Club with the sketch group I'm a member of: The Ultimate Experts. So, I have a lot of rehearsing (and a lot of line memorization) to deal with this week. I love the group, especially as we are consistently great support for each other. All four of us, with our own career paths, are stand up comics. The show is an awesome way to be creative and play with the art of comedy.
Okay, this is what I've set down for myself. And I've given myself a year to complete all my goals. Plans will change, but I will stay focused on that goal. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm hoping it's not the L train. I'm going for broke, or will be broke for going. Or in Brooklyn.
Stay tuned.
My cat and I making plans for the future.
