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My future in comedy...
14 years ago
This almost seems like a "poor me" journal entry, but these are the thoughts that are running through my head.
I've spent the last 5 years as a performing comedian in the fandom. Yet, I'm the one that gets pushed to the side for other acts. There are moments in which I don't feel like a "main stage" act. And I don't know what to do.
I try and do what I can to advertise my shows, or advertise my material in general. But it seems that it's never enough. I don't have any artistic skills, I can't make music, and I don't have a fursuit. Comedy, and maybe the ability to edit videos, is the only thing I have in the eyes of "performance". And even then, I'm overshadowed by larger people.
I appreciate the chance that both 2 The Ranting Gryphon and RCFM have given me, and it's been a great run so far. But right now, I'm looking to expand out further into the fandom. I tried producing a DVD so that I might be able to go to conventions and get a Dealer's Den Table to sell, but we all know how that ended. I've posted some of my materials on YouTube, but it seems to get tossed along the side.
It's not that I don't have what it takes in this fandom to make it as a performer. It's just that I am getting ignored because I'm not "established" as a comedian, because I have either limited material, or don't have the larger fanbases as some have. The only chance I was given was back when I was the GoH at MFM 2009... And again, we all know how that went.
The last 2 years have been the hardest in my career as a comedian. I've had to take my name and try and bring it back up. Which leaves me with a major delimma...
Should I just quit comedy and step down as I am now, or should I continue despite the limited resources I have at this point? I don't want to put more time and effort into a career that won't bring me to my goals in life.
I've spent the last 5 years as a performing comedian in the fandom. Yet, I'm the one that gets pushed to the side for other acts. There are moments in which I don't feel like a "main stage" act. And I don't know what to do.
I try and do what I can to advertise my shows, or advertise my material in general. But it seems that it's never enough. I don't have any artistic skills, I can't make music, and I don't have a fursuit. Comedy, and maybe the ability to edit videos, is the only thing I have in the eyes of "performance". And even then, I'm overshadowed by larger people.
I appreciate the chance that both 2 The Ranting Gryphon and RCFM have given me, and it's been a great run so far. But right now, I'm looking to expand out further into the fandom. I tried producing a DVD so that I might be able to go to conventions and get a Dealer's Den Table to sell, but we all know how that ended. I've posted some of my materials on YouTube, but it seems to get tossed along the side.
It's not that I don't have what it takes in this fandom to make it as a performer. It's just that I am getting ignored because I'm not "established" as a comedian, because I have either limited material, or don't have the larger fanbases as some have. The only chance I was given was back when I was the GoH at MFM 2009... And again, we all know how that went.
The last 2 years have been the hardest in my career as a comedian. I've had to take my name and try and bring it back up. Which leaves me with a major delimma...
Should I just quit comedy and step down as I am now, or should I continue despite the limited resources I have at this point? I don't want to put more time and effort into a career that won't bring me to my goals in life.
None of us can tell you to stick with it if you don't want to. You've got to ask yourself. Is this what you want? If you really do want to hit it big, don't give up! I've seen people with Comedy Central Specials that SUCK compared to you!
All you need is determination, support, and maybe a little help getting your name out there. If you want ideas on how to get more advertising or something let me know. Maybe we can brainstorm sometime and figure it out.
I don't have enough talent in ANY area to make it big but I am good at coming up with stuff to help others... (Maybe I should try to get in as a PR agent... lol!)
Also, Comedy IS Art. Anything can be art if you put yourself into it enough. Art is Passion and Passion is Art. *hugs* I'm always here if you need to talk or vent or whatever. It's what I do. lol!
As for making yourself known, keep going. If you stop now you'll never get it.
It hasn't stopped me though, dude. Why? Because it's what I love to do.
I have seen you perform dude and you love to make people laugh. Don't give that up for anythimg.
I might try taking a break from heavy promoting in the fandom and get back to your roots, discover why you got into. Maybe hit up an open mic night around town or something.
Just a suggestion.
Do what you feel is right and COMMIT TO THE DECISION! Alright, dude?
Peace
-E.S.C.
What I'm saying is that just because you feel like it isn't working out for you as a career right now, doesn't necessarily mean you have to stop doing it. The way the fandom is set up, it is exceedingly difficult to wrangle any kind of career out of it, especially in Entertainment. You can count the people who have on your fingers and still have plenty left over. While I can't speak for everyone, most of the people I've seen who've had any sort of success weren't providing their entertainment with any sort of carreer goals in mind; they were doing it because they enjoyed doing it, as a hobby. If you do what you enjoy doing, it goes to follow that the rest should come naturally. If you can get rid of some of that pressure, chances are good it'll give you more room to improve your performance; so try to not worry about it so much and just have fun.
Of course, my hearing sucks so much that I can't enjoy comedy routines unless if they're captioned on TV, so feel free to take my advice with a grain of salt. I didn't know who you were when you crashed our room, so better advertising would probably be good for you. By all means, keep trying to get scheduled gigs that actually make it into the con book. But try not to worry about what direction all this is taking you in. Just enjoy the experience, let the chips fall where they will, and grow.
PS: I advise you to keep working on that DVD. Maybe it'll take a while to complete, but I suspect it'll help you get your name out there in the long run.
While I believe that there are still a few things that could use sprucing up, which is just the general, life experience that is gained from doing something for so long sprucing, you have talent.
In my opinion, maybe the problem you might have is the audience. If you were to expand beyond the fandom, and gain some new listeners and get a fresh perspective from new people, you would be able to get a broader and more ideas and good criticism so that you can improve upon your work. Yes, you would not be able to use some material because they wouldn't understand certain patches of furry humor, but wouldn't that just be a challenge that in the end would make you a better comedian?
never be scared to take an unknowing step.
In the end it is up to you whether you decide to walk away from that microphone or not, but if you do, I believe that it will be waiting for you when you decide to come back.