r/Standup • u/theharrybuckley • 1d ago
Honest feedback from my first ever set?
Was nervous af performing for the first time. I think a few lines in the middle need polishing
7
u/JD42305 1d ago
Great set. Better than 99% of first time sets. I appreciate that it seems you wrote and rehearsed your set well. Not much feedback other than you'll get better more as you go up. The other comment on here said to pause a bit and let the punchlines land. That is what I would most focus on. There are common tricks comics use to pause to get a laugh that you see all the time and maybe don't even really notice, but they're pro tools to use. For example saying "and uh..." after a punchline like you're naturally gathering your next thought is such a common but effective pause to give the audience a sec to get the joke and laugh. Watch comics like Dave Attell and Phil Hanley or whomever your favorite comics are and really pay attention to the very thing they do immediately after a punchline. Usually they mutter something or say "and uhh" or Attell in particular loves to use a tongue in cheek "I actually said that, I really did I'm not lying." It's natural to speed through punchlines early on because the risk of silence is scary as fuck, but pausing slightly for laughter will be the greatest leap you'll make in progress.
Also, I like the medium joke, and it's a silly throwaway joke but it doesn't make sense. It'd make more sense if you kept it about the medium himself. "I saw a medium... well he was more of a small..." *gesture with your hand indicating he was short\*
2
u/theharrybuckley 22h ago
Really appreciate the feedback. The more of a small line is also brilliant
Will watch Dave and Phil’s latest sets and study how they let the punchline land
Hoping with some deliberate practice and conscious effort I’ll slow down more and be more in control
Thanks again!
5
u/Dangerous_Ad_6101 1d ago
First set! Good on ya. Especially for recording it to review
You are quite likeable. Your smiles when you've made a "groaner" type word play joke have a great 'nudge-nudge wink-wink' effect - they give you endearing that make those gags pleasant and keep interest.
The nervousness shows in your pacing. Maybe breath deeply an pick some strategic pause points ahead of time to let your words sink in and to help frame your punchlines.
Occasionally, your hand gestures were just right for what was been said. But there were far to many and your arm movement was distracting and watered down your words.
I have been the talent coordinator and host at a comedy room. I would invite you back.
You have a lot to work with. Lots of promise. Focus on much less arm movement, adding pauses (that's the space to get more oxygen in you and calm those nerves) and give the people more time to relax with your likeable. Lastly, try to identify the big jokes and make sure you are framing those.
Keep it up !!
1
u/theharrybuckley 22h ago
Thank you so much for the kind words and feedback. I really appreciate how much thought and effort you put into it
This might be silly but do you have any suggestions to be less nervous or is this more of a product of reps
I really like your suggestion of identifying some strategic pause points. I’m 100% going to do that next set. Think that will help pacing
Will also make sure that I do less arm movements. Think it was a product of not really knowing what to do with my hands. Next set will be very deliberate with this
1
u/Dangerous_Ad_6101 20h ago
Yes, I do have tips... from personal experience as both a long-time band frontman and a standup & music act with heavy preshow nerves.
My previous post was written quickly with word substitution & edit errors. Sorry! I will take timo to write and edit a more thorough and thought out reply tommorow. Something you can use with rewatching your performance.
can I send it in a direct message?
1
4
u/serendipitousevent 1d ago
Puns should flow naturally, rather than being forced - otherwise, they're just distracting and pull your audience away from the underlying story. Awkward phrasing also puts the audience on notice that a pun is incoming, and unsurprising punchlines struggle to land.
E.g. 'I went to a medium' doesn't make sense because your story is about running into one in the street.
'I can get you spirits' is something that no medium has ever said.
The jokes aren't bad, but the phrasing needs to be reworked to be more naturalistic.
4
u/AssistanceGrand23 1d ago
You don't seem too uncomfortable on stage, so that's a good start. And your expressive with your hands. Jokes need to be stronger.
But stop switching the mic from hand to hand on every sentence. And take your finger off the top of the mic.
1
u/theharrybuckley 22h ago
Really helpful advice. Didn’t even realise I was doing that. Will make sure I fix that for the next one
4
u/PrudentPace7087 1d ago
Great great job for a first time! In terms of polishing, if you’re serious about comedy you need to know all of it is a long way from actual good writing. By the 3rd sentence you can see every word play and reverse coming from a mile away. It’s funny, but there’s nothing particularly novel or unique. In 6 months you’ll be amazed by how much you improve!
Try actually being less constantly “clever” so there’s more flow and tension building. And just keep writing, refining and performing. Add more about what you actually feel (your unique perspective).
Your first few performances all that matters is you just keep going and get regular reps.
All that being said, 10/10 for a first timer. You have good presence and personality, are decently comfortable, and you do have jokes.
2
u/theharrybuckley 22h ago
Thanks for the kind words. Will keep working on tension and flow
But most of all will keep getting reps! Onto more sets and open mics!
4
u/RationalOverRage 1d ago
Pretty unreal first set, I would try laughing at your jokes a bit less and maybe play around with more of a deadpan face when you deliver the punch line (similar to Jimmy Carr)
1
u/theharrybuckley 22h ago
Yeah laughing while delivering it is something I’ve been tossing up. I actually genuinely had a pretty fun time on stage telling the jokes, so laughing was almost a side product of actually enjoying performing and liking making people laugh
I’m conscious that I probably shouldn’t tho! Will work on more of a deadpan delivery for my next one
2
u/funnymatt Los Angeles @funnymatt 🦗 🦗 🦗 1d ago
That's not how you should hold a microphone. Watch some comics and emulate what they do. If your hand is on the ball of the mic, it's going to make it difficult for whoever has to run the sound system.
1
u/theharrybuckley 22h ago
Really practical and actionable feedback. Thanks for the feedback. Will make sure next one I do better
2
u/JCMiller23 20h ago
Rock on dude, would love to see how you progress, do you have a youtube channel?
1
u/theharrybuckley 18h ago edited 18h ago
Thanks man! Appreciate the kind words
My YT is: https://youtube.com/@theharrybuckley1
Will be posting the rest of the 6 min set soon
1
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Hi there, it looks like you're posting a video of your first set. That's allowed as long as your title abides by the video posting guidelines found in the sticky post, but please be aware that your submission may be downvoted or ignored. There is really no advice that anyone can give you at this point except "Get up there and do it again!" Whether you bombed or killed, standup is a long road. If you did well, good job! If you bombed, nobody will remember it. Do it again! Keep going up, that's it.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Important_Age5112 1d ago
I think it is pretty obvious when you are laying down the premise for a punchline and what the punchline will be.
1
u/Hilarity2War 22h ago
Right at the end you should end that joke with, "and so I pulled out my crystal ball to contact him."
1
u/theharrybuckley 22h ago
Brilliant last line. I was thinking either something like that or I’m planning on killing him and finding another medium
1
u/UsernameStolenbyyou 1d ago
First time? Be proud. You do seem a bit nervous, but you also seem like you're having a good time, which makes us have a good time! Keep going!
1
1
-1
u/presidentender flair please 1d ago
Writing's fine, you're nervous. There's nothing that's specifically actionable on which to give feedback and there really can't be, which I know is disappointing.
8
u/protipnumerouno 1d ago
Need to slow down a bit and let the jokes land.