Expert: Tom - 1/16/2009

Question
I've had dozens of people tell me I should do stand up I have written 100 pages of material, I wrote a bit about a YES MAN before Carrey did his movie. I have wrote other bits that I have seen comics do but I have alot they have not did. I do at least 50 impressions, I have seen stand ups on myspace do a sad Matt Foley on stage and my material blows there's away in many peoples opinion not just mine. I am very critical of myself. Would that be  a good route. I am great in bar or at a party people seem to ask me to do jokes. I would like to do a video on DVD and send it to clubs or agents is this a good route??
Ed

Answer
Ed --

Thanks for the great question. It certainly sounds like you've been approaching this whole thing very systematically, which is good.

I don't have experience myself with getting a "professional" gig (i.e., at least being asked by somebody who doesn't know me personally, whether they're going to pay or not!), so I think one thing you're going to want to do is keep looking to find someone who does have this experience, especially in your home market.

You don't mention doing open-mic performances. If your experience so far is just among friends, that's good, but I think it would make sense to do some open-mic work as well. These performances would also be the ones to record for your demo DVD, if you decide to go that route -- something with an actual live audience of strangers would be good. (But this is probably something to check, again, with someone who's got experience selling him/herself in your area.)

Good luck. It sounds like you've put a lot of work into this already, so I hope you can find a way to make your break into the types of performances you want to do.

-- Tom