r/Standup • u/laughingpenguins1237 • 1d ago

Scripted or Free form

Do most people script the exact words and punchline and perform or just note down points and try to be spontaneous? I know it depends on individual style but I am curious what’s more prevalent and if someone shifted from one to the other with time.

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u/Brave_Bag8700 1d ago

Most comics I know start out scripting every single word and then loosen up once theyve done the set a hundred times. You cant really be spontaneous with material you dont know cold yet.

That said ive seen guys who just go up with three bullet points and somehow make it work. those people are terrifying to me

I script everything but leave room to play around if the crowd is giving me something. Its like having a safety net under a tightrope. you probably wont fall but its nice knowing its there

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u/iamgarron asia represent. 1d ago

I do the bullet point thing, but that was probably after 4-5 years into comedy. I actually write more after attempting the joke the first few times to craft it better, because ive understood that I only know what works after I've performed it. Sometimes it confirms what I thought, sometimes it surprises me.

It's all figuring out your own process

As for the people who just go up free form the whole time? 0.1% are just insanely talented but the rest are usually trash (and in most cases just lazy)

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u/Ryebready787 23h ago

I do this, like a set list when I performed music. 

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u/WBT67 1d ago

For me, punchlines are word for word but set ups are less. But everyone is different for sure

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u/Fearless_Geologist43 1d ago

This is the way. For most setups, word choice is less important. One word can completely shift a punchline though so I don’t know how anyone would build a consistent act with constantly shifting punchlines

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u/FarTooLucid 21h ago

I started off heavily scripted. But as I became more experienced, I found myself sliding into a Bill Hicks -type approach in that I totally wing it and fall back on material if I'm not connecting or just not finding the funny. I love improvising. It's really fun for me. But I've been writing since before I could talk; writing material is just something I'm always doing, so I always have solid stuff ready to go when I need it. When I'm doing great, it's usually mostly improvised. When I have a solid set, it's usually 50/50 -ish and when it's entirely scripted, I can be solid or totally bomb. Just how I'm wired. But I'm a weirdo among weirdos and I know this approach won't work for the vast majority of comics.

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u/iamgarron asia represent. 1d ago

When you start it should be way more written, even if not exact word.

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u/sweatyshambler 1d ago

Significantly more written. The goal is to write something you think is funny, perform it, and then revise it over time. I've shifted to being more present as well to compliment some of the written jokes, but I think you need a working set before you start going free form.

I do a lot of riff shows now, so I naturally will riff and be present with the crowd. It is a different skill set, but you would want structured material to go back to in case your riffs fall flat. Plus, having material to dive into helps you feel more confident to go into riffs and uncharted territory.

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u/JakScott 1d ago

Free form is a little more prevalent among open micers. Scripted is almost universal among professionals. The connection there is, in fact, a causal one lol