Earlier I wrote about why I use a number of different characters in my act. The bottom line is to provide variety to reach a broad range of audiences and individuals in any given audience. But, lately I’ve been pondering the question of how long each of these segments in the show should run.
Right now my whole act is based on 6-7 minute segments. Even the various bits of magic I do run about 6 minutes each. To assemble a show, I simply put the segments together until I’ve reached the desired overall length, typically 50-60 minutes.
Yes, this provides a wide variety and has served to include a little something for everyone in the shows. But, I wonder, is 6 minutes with a character enough? My thought process of late is that by the end of the 6 minutes, the audience is just beginning to understand the character, ready to dig deeper. And that’s when I cut it off and move on to the next thing.
The reality for me is that the first 6 minutes are the easiest. It is getting beyond that point that is most difficult. Kind of like going to a party and meeting someone new. Saying the usual pleasantries, mentioning the weather, commenting on the salsa dip, all those little things that take up the introductory phase of a conversation. That’s the easy part. Then it gets hard. Now what do we talk about? How much of myself do I share with this person I just met? How open am I willing to be? What if they don’t like me beyond the surface?
When you get beyond the 6 minute mark, things get a bit more intense, edgier, rougher, more “real”. Elements of the underlying personality start to come through. You start to uncover the skeletons in the closet. Therein lies the potential for the biggest laughs – and the biggest chance of offending some number of people in the audience. Others have said that if you’re not offending some of the people then you’re not trying hard enough. Humor is pain separated by time. Some people are not yet ready to laugh at certain topics.
The challenge is to move beyond that 6 minute introductory period, open the closet door and examine the bones. Time to add some depth to the characters, get beyond the “hello” and dig deeper.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
June 19, 2008 at 11:34 pm |
I can really identify with your delima about the length of the segments of your show. I am only just starting out and have recently written my first multi-character show. I perform mostly for children and it’s really hard to keep their attention.
My suggestion for you is to look at the acts of some of the vents you consider to be the best; those whose shows you wouldn’t mind emulating. Analyze their character segments and the flow of the subjects the cover.
When I wrote my show I had Jeff Dunham and a vent named David Pendelton in mind. I tried to write like I was copying their timing in regard to length of act.
I really enjoy your posts and look forward to the next one. Thanks for sharing your career developments. They serve as great input for me.
Ron H
Smiths Grove, Kentucky