LIVE Q&A - Crowd Work Dos and Don'ts, How to Define Clean Comedy, Comedy Taxes + MORE
Aug 14, 2023
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Nate Bargatze, comedian, shares his opinion on crowd work, clean comedy, and more. They discuss refining jokes, minimizing distractions at shows, strategies for getting booked in different cities, setting appropriate rates for corporate gigs, and defining clean comedy for corporate events.
Consistently dedicate time to writing and revising jokes to improve comedic material.
Clean comedy involves avoiding offensive subjects and can be enjoyed by a diverse audience, such as kids and grandparents.
Deep dives
Tips for creating quality material in a short amount of time
The key is to be super vigilant about inspiration and write as much as possible. Set a timer and dedicate time each day to writing. Utilize the Right 10 Club to generate material. Don't be afraid to revise old premises and experiment with different tags and deliveries.
How to refine a joke through repetition
Tweak and tinker with the joke over time, adding little punchlines, tags, or changes in delivery. Keep testing it on stage and making incremental adjustments. Find what gets the biggest laughs and refocus your performance to enhance those moments.
Understanding clean comedy
Clean comedy goes beyond just avoiding curse words. It avoids topics that could be offensive or uncomfortable, such as race, religion, or sensitive subjects. Think of it as material that can be enjoyed by a diverse audience, including kids and grandparents. It's important to clarify expectations with the specific audience or venue you are performing for, as their definition of clean comedy may vary.
Preparing for corporate gigs
Corporate gigs typically have bigger budgets, so it's important to price yourself accordingly, starting in the four-figure range. Avoid material that crosses religious, cultural, or ethnic lines. Aim to deliver material that could be enjoyed by a broad audience and consider whether a kid and a grandparent could both enjoy your set. Be aware that different corporate gigs may have specific guidelines or restrictions, so clarify expectations beforehand.
This live Q&A gets into the goods on a range of topics from Nate Bargatze's opinion to young comics on crowd work to taxes, corporate gigs, and finding your on stage persona.