Standup Comedy Writing Games.
Standup Comedy Writing Games.
The continued practice of standup comedy can get boring. I was diagnosed with ADD in elementary school, which as of this writing was 30 years ago, so I bore easily. In school I created games to re-engage myself in it. After years in standup I developed games to keep me engaged at open mics and shows. Here are a few of my favorite Stand Up Comedy Games.
“Having a regular practice is more important than having something to show.” Bjorn RG.
The Follow Game.
Whenever I go to an open mic I like to sit and listen to every comic with my notebook out noting ideas as they come to me. I write as if I have to go up after them. What would I say if I was hosting or up next?
I answer the question: From what I just heard, what does it make me think of?
I write down things, ideas, or sometimes full on jokes extrapolated from what I am hearing and seeing.
This is a great practice for a couple of reasons.
· Keeps me engaged and invested in the show the whole time. Ok focused, I need a game to stay focused or I’ll look at the miller lite sign the whole time and think about that biker bar I went to in Montana where I felt very uncomfortable because I wasn’t wearing leather and got there in a Subaru. Now I don’t know why people are laughing, but if this happens, I will write it down as something to say during my set.
· I’m not stealing people’s jokes, this is just a great way to write new material for me. Especially when I’m feeling fresh out of ideas.
· It’s a great writing exercise in relating material to things and practice in linking ideas together.
· This is also why I write so many good tags for other comics.
The “I’m like” Game.
Take any Noun and justify how or why you are “like it.” This game works well with a partner, taking turns calling out random nouns. It's also a fun game to play with yourself in the car saying things you see and justifying them.
Say: I’m like __(Noun)__ Because_______
Example:
I am like a fire hydrant because only firemen can turn me on.
Bjorn’s Amateur Tip: Don’t think too much, just start talking and say the first thing that comes to mind even if it seems normal. It will very likely be funny because it's either totally random/wild or funny when you think about it after it was said.
**This game is from my husband, the hilarious and supportive Paul Heinrich.
Total Opposites.
For this game what I do is take an idea and look at what is the total opposite of it. This almost always leads me to fun places. So if everyone has this one opinion on something, I love to examine what is the opposite opinion of that? Can lead to surprises. I will list something, then list the opposite of it. This is a great one to play when stuck on a joke or haven’t been able to find the funny in a topic.
This can also be applied to rules keeping me stuck. It's such a great exercise to think of any rule I have always followed and how I can do the opposite of it. For example if I’m always taking the mic out of the mic stand, what if I do some sets with leaving it in? I think it’s good for any performer to do things like this. I am always amazed at how my creativity is turned on by doing the opposite of what I've always done.
Play Tag.
This game can be played alone in a notebook or with friends.
Take a premise and then write as many punchlines as you can. Then find a twist and write more punchlines on that twist. Find another twist, write more punchlines. No bad ideas! Write every idea!
Go back through and make sure they are all Strong Punchlines.
A Strong Punchline need 2 or more of these elements:
1. Surprise
2. Alliteration
3. Rhyme or pun
4. Clever observation
5. Play on words.
6. Play on well-known phrase or saying.
Standup is one of my infinity activities so anything I have to keep my attention is helpful. If this is something that helped you, do me a favor and share it with a friend you think would enjoy this.
Thank you for reading, you’re doing great.
Bjorn RG.