Comedy Wisdom

I've been participating in the New York Underground Comedy Festival (can you believe that it's the fourth comedy festival I've performed in?  I still remember being nervous about the first!) this week, so had the opportunity to participate in a comedy seminar with Eddie Brill (Late Night with David Letterman talent scout), Rick Overton (comedy veteran), and Jim Mendrinos (festival organizer).  Eddie Brill's philosophy was of particular interest because it so mirrored by own (in fact, his approach to being a talent scout - be the talent scout he as a comic would have wanted him to be - matches mine as a comedy show producer).  Rick Overton's candor and passion, as well as Jim Mendrinos' clear and comprehensive understanding of the business of comedy, were also inspiring and thought-provoking.

Here's a bit of their collected wisdom (I think most, if not all, can apply to life in general, too):

* Never fire at eye level (and definitely not below).

* Do the act that would slay you if you saw it.

* Do the act you would enjoy first, not the act you think the audience will enjoy.

* Perform from the heart and not from the brain.

* Do "human being" comedy - comedy that appeals not just to a specific audience but to human beings in general.

* Vulnerability is sexy.

* Silence is as be as powerful as words (the rests are as much part of the music as the notes).  Use it.

* Comedy is a DIALOGUE.

* Be a Swiss Army Knife of talent.

* Be a shining light and let people come to you because they're attracted to it.  (Also, referenced Nelson Mandela quote: "As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.")

* Have so much passion for what you do that you can let it steer you.

Photo credit: M. Alejandro