Doing face time in comedy clubs for bookings
Hey Dave – Isn’t “face-time” (not the kind associated with Apple iPhones, etc) one of the most important parts of getting work hosting in comedy clubs? What I mean is, doesn’t it make a big difference in someone’s chances of being MC for a weekend (or more) when they frequent the club, chat up the staff and tip well, and demonstrate a willingness to do grunt work? I think that is universal. Didn’t you have a story about the guy who showed up outside a club and swept the sidewalk every day until they hired him inside and he then moved up the ranks? – DM
Hey DM – I’ve gotta be honest with you. This is not an easy question because there are a lot of buts and depends that will go into any answer – from anyone. I know from experience there are some comics and club owners who will agree with what I’m gonna say, and others who will grab a broom and tell me to get out of the way.
Face Time
But you know what? This is showbiz – which is an industry full of gimmicks. If you don’t believe me turn on the TV and the highest rated reality shows. You may not want to hang out in real life with duck callers, housewives and Bruce Jenner’s ex-family, but you have to admit they know how to bring attention to themselves.
So keeping that in mind, it’s not a bad idea to call attention to yourself by being seen around the clubs you want to play. To break into your local scene, you need to have the local bookers know who you are and that you’re a comic. The goal is to score an audition.
I’ve never heard of the guy who swept the sidewalk outside a club everyday and was rewarded with a paid MC (hosting) gig. It’s not a bad way to call attention to yourself – but if you do end up with an audition it will only pay off if you have the talent and experience to back it up. Otherwise the only winner will be the club owner with a clean sidewalk.
My first thought is that the time could be better spent getting stage experience somewhere else. Earn a reputation as a good comic and do some networking. It’s a lot easier to score a showcase when you have a track record and recommendations from other comics and bookers who’ve seen you on stage. When you have that going for you, there’s no need to bring a broom to the club.
Who gets the spot?
Showbiz has always been about being different and standing out from the crowd. If you have the experience and truly believe you’re ready to play the club and sweeping the sidewalk gets you noticed by the booker, who am I to put it down? That’s why a lot of new comics are willing to hand out flyers for stage time or line up friends and family for bringer shows. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
But your real question is about “face time.” That was always (and still is) a major networking opportunity and how a lot of newer comedians got on stage when I worked in NYC and LA. But I have to emphasize they were already experienced comics and not someone who thought keeping the sidewalk clean would be their best career move.
When comics were experienced and funny enough to start performing at a club like The Improv they still had to pass the audition. Working the door, bartending, or even sweeping the sidewalk could open the door, but didn’t guarantee future paid gigs. You had to prove – on stage – you could do it.
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Even after someone passed the audition, there was no guarantee they’d get regular performing spots. They were on the club roster, which meant they were welcome to come in and “hang out at the bar” as a comic. Now if they wanted to sweep the sidewalk instead of sitting around – yeah, they’ll be noticed over the others. But if they hadn’t passed their audition, then chances are they’d still be sweeping when the show is ending.
But face time does count. For example…
During a week night in NYC we would schedule enough comedians to get us through until around midnight. If there was still an audience at that time (in NYC we could keep the shows going until 4 am as long as we had people in the showroom) then the manager would look around to see what comics were “hanging out.” They would make up the rest of the show until either the audience left or we hit last call.
That was face time and the manager / club booker already knew they were comedians. If they wanted to grab a broom and sweep up… well, thanks. But are you on the roster? Is there another comic who’s a regular performer at the club recommending you be given a shot? That’s the only way you were going to get on stage that night.
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Now I already know some comics and club owners will disagree and have examples to prove me wrong. I even have a story in one of my books from a favorite club owner who might trade performing spots for work around the club. So I’m not saying it won’t work, I’m just saying…
More Face Time
A great way to kill a show is by putting on someone – anyone – who doesn’t have experience and isn’t funny. That’s why clubs have auditions and already know who the comics are. Gimmicks like sweeping the sidewalk might get an audition, but the time could be better spent getting known as a good comedian – even if you have to perform somewhere else to make it happen. If you come in ready to knock everyone out with your talent, then you can get quality face time with the other comics “hanging out” instead of doing grunt work.
Your thoughts or experiences? Leave a comment below and I’ll pass it along in a future newsletter.
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Dave Schwensen is the author of How To Be A Working Comic: An Insider’s Business Guide To A Career In Stand-Up Comedy, Comedy FAQs And Answers: How The Stand-Up Biz Really Works, and Comedy Workshop: Creating & Writing Comedy Material for Comedians & Humorous Speakers.
For details about upcoming comedy workshops at the Chicago and Cleveland Improv Comedy Clubs, and private coaching by phone or via Skype visit www.TheComedyBook.com
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