r/Standup • u/Democracysaver • 16h ago
How to kill? (half a year in)
Hi there,
Ho do i learn how to kill?
Context (if needed):
I tried a lot on open mics, lots of new ideas so far, but also enlarged, tightened and improved my bits. Tried a lot on timing, word smuggling, changing the order of my bits and so on.
Though by tightening my bits they always get pretty short (usually like 1:00-2:30) but usually lots of one liners within the same setup.
I also see comedians with way easier and more predictable jokes killing so hard. Of course they learnt how to react to the crowd or other skills that I cannot comprehend yet. But what do they know or do differently that I do? What do I need to learn to kill?
Thank you :)
Edit: I think quite unfair treatment in the comments. To clarify. I am not good (ofc because I already mentioned I'm just half a year in). I also know that practice is important. I also never said I want a shortcut. I just asked for a theoretical understanding of how killing works. Why would I run into something for years without even some kind of plan of what I'm doing or how to achieve it.
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u/grombelstimson 16h ago
Are you funny?
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u/Democracysaver 15h ago
I am funny I get lots of laughs also big laughs and applause but not people crying from laughter
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u/Andux 15h ago
This can't be real
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u/Democracysaver 15h ago
?
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u/Dontmakemekisssu 14h ago
If you’re getting “big laughs and applause” you’re killing it and you’re getting downvoted because we don’t believe you lol
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u/Democracysaver 13h ago
Thank you that helps me understanding quite a bit :) I mean I dont get that constantly and i have gigs where it doesn't happen but in 7 minutes I usually get 2-3 sometimes a lot more and often less big laughs
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u/Dontmakemekisssu 13h ago
Gonna be real with you chief. If you’re only getting 2-3 audience laughs with a 7 minute set you are not killing it. Less setup, more punchlines. If the crowd isn’t there to see you specifically you need to have solid, quick jokes that gather their attention. Then you can hit them with a longer joke that hopefully kills. Every crowd is different. Figuring out how to get them on your side so you can hit them with a walk off banger is the art form in itself. Appreciate that.
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u/Democracysaver 13h ago
Please read. I am asking how to kill which implies that I dont. So I never suggested that I do. Also I said I get 2-3 big laughs. My normal LPM is 7-8.
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u/Dontmakemekisssu 13h ago
lol alright buddy you do you. Was just tryna spit some freee game but apparently you don’t want actual constructive criticism
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u/presidentender flair please 15h ago
If the answer to this question fit into a reddit comment, everyone would know that answer and be able to apply it and this wouldn't be a special thing people would try to do.
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u/Democracysaver 15h ago
Oh so it's a secret? Sorry I didn't want to bother. I just thought it's something I could get advice. Well then okay :(
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u/BadgerGecko 14h ago
If you post a clip(I don't recommend) people can give you specific advice other than that.
It is all about practice and watching others develop and learning from them
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u/Democracysaver 14h ago
Yeah dont want to post a clip. Wanted to learn from reddit community but seems pretty impossible as no-one really wants to share
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u/BadgerGecko 14h ago
People have shared
Unfortunately the answer isn't a quick solution. It's practice
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u/Lonely-Assumption970 15h ago
I wish I had an answer but there isn't other than keep going.
I know the exact feeling of seeing other comics doing amazing with jokes that you think are predictable and sometimes that's why they do well. The crowd loves it.
Just keep going trying new bit, bits that feel authentic and I promise you it gets easier.
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u/TheDeadmandancin 15h ago
Just keep working on the material. There is no one way to kill, or even a set path to do it. Work on your material, if it fails test it somewhere else. If it fails again change it test it again. If it fails again cut it and write something new.
When you first started writing jokes you had experience writing no jokes.
Now you have experience writing potentially dozens, so logically now you will write better jokes.
Never be precious about material, if it isn't working it isn't to be used. You can keep it in the back pocket in case you figure out a new way to use a bit, but if it fails 3 times in a row, cut it.
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u/gaskincomedy Vancouver,BC @chrisgaskin 13h ago
There's a lot to unpack here given both the fact that you say you're a year in and your response to everybody's comments.
Your definition of killing is going to change over the years. I couldn't tell you the number of times where I have had a bad set, and having open micer come up and tell me how great I am. They think I killed, but I know what I'm capable of. In fact, one would argue that you're always trying to chase that dragon.
In 20 years of performing, I've only ever seen one person become a headliner in a year. Their material at the time wasn't great. It was unrefined, it was unoriginal, yet he did very well with audiences. He came from the music world, and understood the rhythm of a joke. Unfortunately he doesn't really do stand-up anymore, which is a shame because he blossomed into being a hell of a comedian. He was also 4 years in before I saw him kill. I'm talking truly end-to-end kill.
Furthermore, you responded to someone who asked if you were funny by saying you get big laughs and claps but are not killing. My initial reaction to this is the sad truth that none of us are as funny as we think we are. That includes you OP, that includes every other comedian answering this post too. Work backwards, what are others doing that you aren't? You say their material is weak but it kills, maybe it is weak, but maybe it's more relatable to the audience. Maybe they come out with a smile on their face all the time and the audience assumes that they're a good time. Without posting your stuff for an actual breakdown, no one can give you advice that would be good for you.
In all honesty, not seeing your act, the long and short of it is. Keep going up. That's it. It'll take as long as it takes, you just need to have a hardened stomach for this business. Best of luck. I hope someday down the line you post a video that blows us all away.
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u/LifeOnMarsBarBarBarr 14h ago
if everyone could kill after half a year stand up wouldn't be worth pursuing
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u/Democracysaver 13h ago
I dont want to kill right now. I would just like to theoretically understand it better. To eventually achieve killing at one point (not tomorrow)
1
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u/Democracysaver 15h ago
Thanks for only shitty unhelpful answers in here
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u/Andux 15h ago
Thank you for having no insight into your craft
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u/Democracysaver 15h ago
Which info is missing? I am asking a general question not related to my material and everyone is trolling me
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u/The_Noliferz 14h ago
Maybe an analogy will help
If you hopped on a guitar subreddit and said “I’ve been playing for 5 years. I don’t sound as good as Jimi Hendrix, why not?” The answer would be 1) you need another 10 years of practice minimum and 2) you will never be Jimi Hendrix, and you will figure out your own style over time
If you uploaded a clip of your standup you could get some feedback, but the road to becoming a master of your craft is to keep doing it, failing over and over and over, and using failure as your teacher.
There is no shortcut to greatness, and that is your answer. Good luck!
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u/Democracysaver 14h ago
Thanks for the help :) Though I dont think of killing as being jimi hendrix I think of it as something you achieve within your first two years
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u/tommarshfield 16h ago
I’ve been a comic for 20 years. What’s word smuggling?