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How to Be a Good Writer and Comedian
I am 27 years old and I'm FINALLY about to get started on my dream job as a writer and a comedian. I know it sounds like a stupid dream, but I'm actually making it happen and I've got a good fall back plan.
Here are my questions. The first is how do I choose just one style of comedy I want to do? It's been said to me, or at least implied, that actors do their best when they choose one style to specialize in and choose their inspiration from that style. I can't decide what I want to do. As for inspiration or influences I've had, there have been many. I love Phil Hartman, John Ritter, Mike Myers, David Spade, John Belushi, Robin Williams, and Chris Farley. A lot of those guys have different styles. Hartman although a nice guy in real life, was known for playing weasels. Ritter was gifted and physical comedy, Myers and Williams are gifted at creating an array of different characters, Spade is a smart mouth, and Belushi and Farley often played dumb guys and poked fun at their weight. How do I choose which way to go?
Second question is what do I do if my family doesn't support me? My parents do support me as do my sister, my aunt, and my uncle. However, my granddad on my mom's side, my grandmother on my dad's side, and my brother don't support me at all. They seem to want me to fail. I could understand them just wanting me to be realistic, but that doesn't seem to be their problem. Their problem seems to be more that they don't want me to succeed, they don't care, or in my granddad's case, he just doesn't like my humor. We don't like each others humor actually. I don't like most of the jokes he makes, but I laugh at them anyway to be polite, but he won't do the same. Anytime I make a joke in front of him, it's just awkward silence. I know he doesn't have any faith in me to be successful. Aside from him, One aunt was extremely negative about my goal and on uncle didn't even bother to watch the first performance I did.
I guess that's it. Does anyone have any advice for me?
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Let me be one of the first to say congrats on Making your dream come a reality! Im not a professional or smuggling but if you feel comfortable at doing different types of comedy.. do different types! Do them until you get to know which one suits you better.i feel you should always do research. Watch your favorite comedians,take notes. As far as building a fan base create a YouTube. (It may sound dumb or cheezy..) but think alot of musicians, actors and comedians are getting discovered off of YouTube. And go from there! As far as family the most important thing is you have a dream and you're planning to follow through. The most important person wHo needs to believe is you! there will always be people that love (and unfortunately hate or may not get your sense of humor)but don't give up and keep working on dream! Also if they have local gigs that you can perform at then you should try out. I hope I helped in some way. Good luck!
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Most performers choose their style or genre by trying on a lot of different ones. Most don't wake up one day and say "Hey, I'll be X" They tried out a whole bunch of different styles and skills and developed a tool box of things that worked for them.
They may have a distinct style by the you know them well, but you can be sure they experimented with a ton of stuff before they got there.
So really, don't obsess about styles. If you haven't, start taking classes now. You'll learn what other styles are called and how to recognize them in others and yourself. You'll find people to experiment with. That's more important that 'picking' something right now.
As for your family. Shit! Have one brother and grandparents who don't support you is enough to worry you? I'm sorry dear, but you just need to suck that up. Your parents and a bunch of others are supportive - most people don't even get that much. Appreciate what you've got and keep some distance from the negativity. You've got a ton of great people to lean on. Don't get caught up worrying that not everyone who shares your genes has got your back. That is not worth your energy.
If you want to be a professional, no one, and I mean NO ONE, not even your family, owes it to you fake a laugh. If you want to be a pro, you are going to have give up on the idea that someone owes you 'polite laughter' just because you tried to tell a joke. That's not what you are signing up for.
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