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I felt like I wanted the opportunity to talk to the participants about what material they should present to next year's panel of industry professionals prior to their performancces so they'd all have a better chance to come out on top.
When industry insiders look at comedians, not always are they paying attention to how funny they are. In fact, more often than not, they are looking for material that has a 'point of view'. When a comic leaves the stage in front of an industry audience, he/she wants the industry to have a feeling of who he/she is.... What does he do? Does he have a family? What are his impressions/ opinions on the world? In other words, they want to be able to feel like they 'know' the person. In order for this information to help the comic, the comic must of course, be funny. He must also present his material in a way in which the industry audience can picture the comic 'on television'.
This means that although a given comic may be the funniest in the Competition, telling great jokes, cussin' like mad, etc., he may lose to a comic who isn't even as funny - in front of a panel of industry judges. This can and will happen if the judges see the kind of material they are trained to look for. Remember, just because an executive, manager, agent, etc., sees you kill on stage, that person must also convince everyone he/she works with 'why you are special'.
So, to reiterate... its time to start thinking about material for the next Competition. With more sponsors and notoriety than ever before, there will most likely be more industry. So remember, tailor your material to the
judges so you can really come out a winner!!!
Matt Blake is a Comedy Development agent at the Gersh Agency of Beverly Hills, CA.
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