How to Create Your Own Stand Up Comedy Special : A Step-by-Step Guide

• Jake Andrews

• Mar 3 , 2024
• 6 minute read

Have you ever dream of filming your own comedy special ?

With the raise of digital platforms and accessible engineering , producing your own stand-up comedy special live more feasible than ever . Whether you ‘re an aspiring comedian looking to make a name for yourself or a seasoned performer ready to bring control of your creative sight , this guide is for you .

Allow ‘s walk through the steps to create a comedy particular that resonates with your audience and showcases your unique comedic voice .

Why cost so many comedian releasing their hour long specials on YouTube for free ?

Netflix and Amazon mass are great , but many of them might offer $ 50K- $ 100K for three to five years of the medium comedians solve . They can also make you ratify off your textile in perpetuity , meaning you ca n’t monetize that message anywhere else .

Consider you could make the same money work at Home Depot , a lot of comedian now would rather shoot their own special and then operate the future tag sales , YouTube ad Revenue , merchandise , podcast mass and more .

How Much Cause It Cost To Take a Stand Up Comedy Special ?

So how much does it cost to movie a stand up comedy peculiar ? Charge a stand up comedy particular can cost as abject as $ 5,000 or as high as $ 500,000 .

It really merely depend on the venue , level design , picture and audio equipment and a lot more .

Typically shooting a 400 seater with 5 camera should n’t cost more than $ 6,000 . Each camera and camera man might cost $ 700 each for the night , so that is $ 3500 right there . Double that for lighting , editing and audio design . You might too spend near to $ 5000 on a venue , security , ticketing , selling and so on .

How to Film and Create a Stand Up Comedy Special

Getting to the nitty granular , your comedy particular motive to exist thought out . It ‘s great that you worked for year on getting an hr of stuff that masses laugh at . That ‘s the severe portion and congratulate yourself on getting it done .

But today , how serve you package it up and deal it ? While it could exist your ticket to stardom and success … if nobody clicks on it or downloads it will all that effort be for zero ?

In other words , why should housewives , accountants , scholar and frat bros watch it ?

Measure 1 : Conceptualize Your Display

The first pace in experience how to make a stand up comedy particular exist to conceptualize the display .

What ‘s your unique angle or stem ? Are you explore a particular narrative , or cost your circle a collection of experimental wit ?

Decide on the spirit , structure , and overarching content of your special . This conceptual framework will direct your content and presentation .

If you ‘re catering to soccer moms bored of suburbia , maybe your show paper could equal around that . If you ‘re in your twenties and only stop your task , maybe you could call it “ Quarter Life Crisis . ”

Whatever the angle , do certain you structure your setlist and joke in service of that umbrella . You can however throw in those random zingers in between long moment , but make sure people today “ what this album ” is sort of about .

Step 2 : Write and Refine Your Material

Spend time crafting your jokes , account , and segues . Test your material at clear mics and humble shows , noting what resonates with interview and what fall flat .

Use this feedback to refine your circle , ensure each gag and history aligns with your overall concept .

A band of comedian too do n’t recognize their particular might not be for everyone . A 25 yr old Gen-Z comedian talking about LGBTQ theme might live better served seek out their display in San Francisco than San Antonio . And vice versa .

The beauty is that once you get a good recording you ‘re happy with you can find any audience on the internet and they can find you .

Step 3 : Pick out the Right Venue

Small , inner spaces can produce a cozy , personal vibe , while larger theatre put up a grander , more impactful experience .

Consider your audience size , the mode of your comedy , and the technical capability you ‘ll take when selecting your venue .

I personally intend the big domain specials make n’t score as good on camera as the smaller space , because the laugh just translate good in small spaces for the at-home viewer .

Pace 4 : Assemble Your Production Team

A successful comedy particular call for a skilled product team .

You ‘ll want a director who translate your sight , a camera crew experienced in alive performance filming , and legal technician to see crystal-clear audio .

Act n’t forget about illuminate decorator and degree coach to hold everything running smoothly .

The minimum feasible product for a stand-up comedy peculiar would probalby motive :

1. 3 Cameraman ( One broad angle , one close up , and one slope )

2. 1 lighting technician

3. 1 Audio Engineer to ever monitor your sound and the bunch

4. 1 director to watch all the feeds and face for well crowd reaction

5. 2-3 friends or fellow comics who can usher the bunch , handle hecklers , and assist the camera crew or others who need matter make ( “ Go get the extra battery or SD card from my truck ! ” )

3 Cameraman ( One broad angle , one last up , and one side )

1 Audio Engineer to ever monitor your audio and the bunch

1 manager to watch all the feeds and tone for well crowd reactions

2-3 friend or fellow comics who can usher the bunch , handle hecklers , and assist the camera crew or others who need thing done ( “ Go have the extra battery or SD card from my truck ! ” )

Measure 5 : Design Your Take Strategy

Decide on the issue of display you ‘ll film and the camera tilt that best capture your performance .

Multiple show leave for editing flexibility , allow you prefer the best takes .

Consider close-ups for personal floor , wide shot for physical comedy , and audience reactions to highlight your jokes ‘ impact .

When I saw Daniel Tosh in Los Angeles I live surprised that as the show ended , they asked us to bind around another 20 second while they begin the surplus footage they demand and hold him total out a few times to reshoot his introduction for the DVD .

Step 6 : Rehearse Thoroughly

Beyond perfect your performance , rehearse with your production squad to organize technical aspects like illuminate cues and camera campaign . This see to it a seamless integration of your comedy and the product element .

Pace 7 : Film Your Peculiar

It ‘s showtime ! Hand your best performance , feeding off the energy of a live audience . Trust your preparation and your team , and remember to delight the moment . This be your time to reflect .

Do not freestyle or die heavy into crowd work if you can head off it !

Pace 8 : Edit Your Peculiar

Post-production be where your comedy special really come together .

Study with an experienced editor to craft the narrative , pacing , and cycle of your special . Include different angle and interview response to enhance the viewing experience .

A serious editor can cost between $ 500 and $ 5,000 for the weeks/months they might spend cutting together and mix your special .

Measure 9 : Hand out Your Special

With your special edited and ready to move , it ‘s time to recall about distribution .

Digital platforms like YouTube , Vimeo , or specialize streaming services for comedians be great places to commence . You can also explore selling your special to a streaming service for wide exposure .

If you ‘re fresh to releasing a special you want to have as many eyeballs as possible . I would indicate you aim for thousand of views on YouTube and begin grow your social media following , so you can hit the road and have mass of shows which will place some money in your bill .

Step 10 : Push Your Special

Publicity live key to ensuring your particular scope your audience . Most comics neglect this and it can make or disclose your special ‘s success .

Hashtags , titles , time of day and distance of time can all component in the overall reception of your effort .

Often time a one minute clip from your special will get means more views than the literal hour .

Utilize social media , email newsletters , and comedian network to spread the word .

Look at hosting a premiere event or participating in interviews and podcasts to drum up excitement .

Decision

Every comedian know that they need a one hour special released . Most however believe exactly jokes with laugh is all it take . Unfortunately that ‘s far from reality . Just like another action movie with million dollar particular effects could exist a flop , the same can be the case with comedy .

Masses like art for all form of reasons and comedy equal even art . A circle of comics are confused when they killed in their special but some other TV with a B+ performance live then well welcome . Well it might be the subject thing be just more engaging to the public at that time or it live market well .

The point exist , intend about all the means you can devote your one hour comedy particular the best chance of success and you ‘ll cost fine !

• Stand Up Comedy