{"id":1087,"date":"2020-06-30T16:11:12","date_gmt":"2020-06-30T23:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/?p=1087"},"modified":"2020-06-30T16:11:18","modified_gmt":"2020-06-30T23:11:18","slug":"attitude-vs-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/attitude-vs-entertainment\/","title":{"rendered":"Attitude vs Entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I performed at a weed party thrown by a dispensary. It was a show with seven standup comedians and me in a windowless room with a secret entrance. No ventilation. Audience all smoking non-stop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First glance, this might seem like a dream audience. I usually like a very alert audience, but wanted to see what this was about. Wanted to see if I could meet them where they were and give them a ‘memorable’ experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I usually try to watch as much of shows as I can. I am a sponge for learning more about performance; and also I want to understand and empathize with the audience before I go on. I could only watch a little of this show because I was gonna get really stoned from the ambiance and I needed to juggle for these people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I saw in this show amazed me and stuck with me.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The comedians were generally not doing well. The audience was very unfocussed. They were respectful. Most of the comedians were poking around. When a great live entertainer is flailing, they’ll keep adjusting until they find what the audience wants. Nobody was really finding it. I was in and out of the room checking each act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fourth act was reading jokes about marriage out of his notebook (ugh) and getting nothing from the audience. Five minutes in, he stopped. Looked up at the crowd. Said “I’m really nervous here because this room is full of smoke and I’m a Jew.” Killer. Big laughs from everyone. People shifted in their seats when they laughed. They were on board! This guy had done it! Next he said, “Oh, so you guys don’t like heady jokes about my wife, but you’ll laugh at Holocaust humor.” A little laugh. “My wife…”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT!!!?!!! WHY!!?!???<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I walked out flabbergasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I came back in, it was my turn to perform. I killed. I scared the fuck out of them by juggling knives, I used short jokes. Changed the pacing, volume, proximity<\/a>, and everything else non-stop to deal with short attention spans. Big laughs and engagement and it was fun. Just want to clarify that I am great here. It’s not the funnest type of audience, but it was good to know it’s possible to engage them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This dude<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This dude’s actions so stuck with me because of the attitude. I could not believe it. Here are some parts of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. He pulled out a joke that was actually funny.<\/li>
  2. He connected with the moment.<\/li>
  3. He got the first solid laugh of the night.<\/li>
  4. He noticed that the audience liked it.<\/li>
  5. He determined what they liked.<\/li>
  6. He announced he knew what they liked.<\/li>
  7. He gave them no more of it.<\/li>
  8. He was not a beginner – pro over a decade and had made some TV appearances and stuff.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I had seen performers deny an audience the good stuff before, but never this knowingly and this blatantly. It was a certain apex of understanding for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It’s kill or be killed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Entertainment is a trade. Like other trades, it’s pass \/ fail. You shoe a horse or you don’t. You weave a rug or you don’t. You make them laugh or you don’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You don’t want your plumber to say “There’s still water pouring in your bedroom. My work is done. Your pipes didn’t really like my type of plumbing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This kind of defense mechanism doesn’t have a place in show business and it’s not rewarding for the performer. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Vulnerability is very rewarding and it’s the thing that connects best with an audience. Great standup is beautiful because it is so exposed and everyone in the room feels the stakes. “This person needs to make us laugh or they will die!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We can always get locked up in “artistry” or “taste” because we get scared of facing the grade. Finding your audience and being amazing for them is one thing, but this story isn’t a case of a the wrong audience. He committed to this audience. If you have an audience that showed up for you, or you decided to make something for them; it’s up to you to provide them entertainment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    I performed at a weed party thrown by a dispensary. It was a show with seven standup comedians and me in a windowless room with a secret entrance. No ventilation. Audience all smoking non-stop. First glance, this might seem like a dream audience. I usually like a very alert audience, but wanted to see what […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":1090,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_10158666434799935_26707174888":"","twitter_aToyMjM4MTQzMDs=_22381430":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pc33gc-hx","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3205,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/before-destroying-a-heckler\/","url_meta":{"origin":1087,"position":0},"title":"Before Destroying A Heckler","author":"scot","date":"December 1, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Comedians like to talk about destroying a heckler. I don't really think they can be destroyed, but that would be interesting. I have silenced many. I've also amplified them and I've befriended them and I've utilized them. Hecklers usually think they're being helpful to the show. People in general want\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/pexels-mark-neal-8977596.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/pexels-mark-neal-8977596.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/pexels-mark-neal-8977596.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/pexels-mark-neal-8977596.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/pexels-mark-neal-8977596.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3092,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/setting-up-a-stage\/","url_meta":{"origin":1087,"position":1},"title":"Setting Up A Stage","author":"scot","date":"October 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Setting up a performance space is a deep craft that is incredibly effective and affective. Even experienced entertainment pros think that we just gotta setup some chairs facing a platform and we're good. I recently did shows at a resort and the room was not set up right. I got\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/pexels-md-towhidul-islam-3013018.jpg?fit=1200%2C646&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/pexels-md-towhidul-islam-3013018.jpg?fit=1200%2C646&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/pexels-md-towhidul-islam-3013018.jpg?fit=1200%2C646&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/pexels-md-towhidul-islam-3013018.jpg?fit=1200%2C646&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/pexels-md-towhidul-islam-3013018.jpg?fit=1200%2C646&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":583,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/the-5-elements-of-a-great-live-show\/","url_meta":{"origin":1087,"position":2},"title":"The 5 Elements Of A Great Live Show","author":"scot","date":"February 18, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"A live show provides several advantages you don't find in a planned, recorded\u00a0performance. A performer first sets the stage for a great show when they make the decision to connect with their audience. It\u2019s the vital element that lets them create a killer dramatic or comedy show, send a message\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "how to"","block_context":{"text":"how to","link":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/category\/how-to\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/maleability.png?fit=1000%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/maleability.png?fit=1000%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/maleability.png?fit=1000%2C401&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/maleability.png?fit=1000%2C401&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1823,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/selfish-empathy-in-entertainment\/","url_meta":{"origin":1087,"position":3},"title":"Selfish Empathy in Entertainment","author":"scot","date":"October 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"We need to get what we want as entertainment creators. The ultimate thing we want is the opportunity to lead our audience from where they are to a new elevated experience. We can't lead anyone anywhere if we don't join them where they are. To get the good stuff, we've\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/boots.jpg?fit=1200%2C815&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/boots.jpg?fit=1200%2C815&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/boots.jpg?fit=1200%2C815&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/boots.jpg?fit=1200%2C815&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/boots.jpg?fit=1200%2C815&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3057,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/why-i-kept-my-lineups-secret\/","url_meta":{"origin":1087,"position":4},"title":"Why I Kept My Lineups Secret","author":"scot","date":"October 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"We didn't publicize lineups or special appearances. We had a weekly show and we wanted to sell out every week. We succeeded. Brand The main reason to not promote the lineups was for building a brand. We wanted a show that people trusted. The message was, \"No matter what week\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/something.jpg?fit=1200%2C727&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/something.jpg?fit=1200%2C727&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/something.jpg?fit=1200%2C727&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/something.jpg?fit=1200%2C727&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/something.jpg?fit=1200%2C727&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":581,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/entertainment-why-people-watch-anything\/","url_meta":{"origin":1087,"position":5},"title":"Entertainment: Why people watch anything","author":"scot","date":"January 27, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"As part of\u00a0my journey to figure out what makes live entertainment great, I\u2019d like to\u00a0take a deep look at\u00a0why people watch stuff. What\u00a0intrigues people and makes them stare at something? Anything? Here is a breakdown I've\u00a0compiled of what compels audiences. I would love your feedback, whether you\u2019re performing or have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "how to"","block_context":{"text":"how to","link":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/category\/how-to\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/pack.png?fit=1000%2C536&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/pack.png?fit=1000%2C536&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/pack.png?fit=1000%2C536&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/pack.png?fit=1000%2C536&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/accomplishment-action-adult-adventure-372098-1-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1386&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1087"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1091,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1087\/revisions\/1091"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}