A Great Question About Breaking Into Stand-up Comedy And Becoming A Comedian

Here’s a question I received about breaking into stand-up comedy:

I want to break into the comedy business. I want to send clips of my act to talent agencies. How many clips should I send to a talent agency?

This is actually a very good question that I suspect a good number of people who want to take a shot at stand-up comedy would ask.

So in this article, I’m going to provide some insight into what’s involved in “breaking into” stand-up comedy and engaging talent agencies when the time is right.

Part 1

Let’s start with the first sentence leading up to the question being asked:

I want to break into the comedy business.

For starters, a comedian needs to have a polished stand-up routine, complete with clever jokes, stories, and observations. They also need to have a demo tape ready to showcase their comedic talents to an agency.

If all that is already in place, the next step is to research potential talent agencies, understand what services they offer, and approach the one that best fits the comedian’s needs.

After that, it’s simply a matter of creating a good impression with the agency and letting the rest take care of itself.

Now, let’s take a look at what a comedian needs to have lined up before contacting a talent agency.

Part 2

The second sentence leading up to the question was:

I want to send clips of my act to talent agencies.

First, let me say that any video clips sent to a talent agency must meet these criteria:

1. The comedian needs to have a minimum of 30 solid performing minutes (45 minutes is preferred) of proven, powerful, and consistently funny stand-up comedy material that has been “battle-tested” in front of live audiences.

2. The comedian needs to have a G to PG-13 stand-up comedy act (or cleaner), as most talent agencies service business or corporate clients.

   Note: There are some exceptions if the comedian can only deliver an “adult” act, but those types of agency representations are available only to the most experienced comedians who have already developed a substantial following in the comedy club arena.

3. The comedian needs to have a professional website (electronic press kit or EPK) that includes their resume, bio, testimonials, video clips, etc.

4. The video clips must be filmed performing for a live audience. A bigger audience is better unless the comedian is really killing in the clip.

   Note: The best objective overall indicator of any comedian’s performance can be obtained by simply using their smartphone and the apps that are usually already installed:

   

   www.comedyevaluatorpro.com

   Stand-up Comedy Metrics | Laughter Measurement - Comedy Evaluator Pro

   This article describes the objective and measurable metrics associated with headliner level comedian laughter levels.

5. Initial promo video clips should be 60-90 seconds long and unedited. The first clip should be from the very beginning of the comedian’s act (including their intro).

6. The comedian should be prepared to provide an additional unedited 30-45 minute performance video if requested after the promo clips have been reviewed.

Part 3

Provided the criteria above have been met, this question can now be answered:

How many clips should I send to a talent agency?

The answer would be 1-3 short but powerful initial performance clips and, if requested, be prepared to provide an unedited 30-45 minute video performance.

It should go without saying that any video clips used for talent agencies or other paid work should be professionally produced and of the highest quality possible.

Wrap-Up

It should be obvious that there is a bit more involved in “breaking into” stand-up comedy than many funny people realize.

One need only suffer through any comedy open mic night anywhere on the planet to see that most people—regardless of how funny or talented they may be offstage—can’t generate much laughter (if any) when they get on stage.

But it’s not because they couldn’t rock a room—it’s simply because they don’t know how to take the comedy talent they use in everyday life and make it work for the stand-up comedy stage.

Some people are under the impression that they can record a comedy act at home—without an audience or audience response—and that some talent professional will recognize their potential and usher them into show business.

Becoming a professional comedian simply doesn’t work that way. It is a challenging performing art that demands experience, demonstrated skill, and the ability to “deliver the goods” consistently for virtually any audience they step in front of.

Like I said, just suffer through any comedy open mic anywhere on the planet to truly understand what I have presented in this article.

But let me end with this:

Every comedian is either the victim or the benefactor of the process they use to create, develop, refine, hone, and deliver the stand-up comedy act they choose to share with audiences.

And it is that process that determines how fast or how slow they are able to generate the big and frequent laughs needed to move forward as a comedian.

Again, the question asked at the beginning was a great one, as it has allowed me to address possible misconceptions about what’s really involved in becoming a comedian and interacting with talent agencies along the way.