S2E14: REPLAY: Going From A Tight 5 To A Tight 7 - Deconstructing My 5 Min Set

She Shed Comedy: Empowering Your Comedy Career

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1+ y ago 31:23

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Every comic starts out with a five-minute set or what the industry refers to as a ‘tight five’. This tight five will evolve over time and eventually expand into a seven-minute set, then a 15-minute set, then a 45-minute set, and so on.

Since Linda started performing, her set has evolved constantly, with minor tweaks from show to show. Today, we deconstruct her tight five and take a look at how she put her set together to get it as tight and structurally cohesive as possible.

This episode offers insight into the methodology behind crafting a set using Linda’s performance from the Pretty Funny Women show in May 2022 as an example. We take a look at the essential elements of this tight five, from setups to callbacks, and share some tips for cutting the fat (and keeping the laughs coming!)

If you’re in your head, you’re not connecting with your audience. That’s why we want to help you get so comfortable with preparation, precision, and timing that you don't even have to think about it in the moment. Tune in today for all this and more!

Topics discussed in this episode:

A cringe-worthy bombing experience (and what you can learn from it)
The methodology and intention that goes into crafting a set
Linda’s tight five from the Pretty Funny Women show in May 2022
Benefits of recording your live performances
An understanding of word economy and sticky phrases
Tips for getting a laugh within the first three seconds
Creative context, setups, educational bits, and the rule of three
Why you should keep a running tab of funny observations
Deconstructing the set piece and the callback
How to play on the assumptions of your audience
A reminder that every set is a work in progress
Giving your audience permission to laugh
Your 2-in-1 self-care and personal development prompt
This week’s recommended comedy prompt on Netflix

Want to watch Linda bomb and see how far she has come? Take a look at her Stand Up Comedy Showcase Set (and prepare to cringe!)

Recommended Resources: Brian Simpson on Season 3 of 'The Standups’

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