Every Comic Should Shoot a 30 Minute Special

Most comics live stagnant lives, staying within the same geographical locations, playing the same rooms, and doing 5-10 minute sets in front of the same types of crowds. The reason isn't because they aren't funny or driven; it's because they're scared to do something and fail. But failure (yes, FAILURE) is crucial to growth and success. In this self esteem driven, mental health obsessed, "you do you, boo" world people have taken the fruits of the movement and turned it into a theology of protection above progress, and unless you are blessed and lucky, your career will stay where it is as long as you don't change in an attempt to feel safe in an industry filled with landmines. 

In the end, if you always do what you always did, you'll only get what you've always got. 

That's why pushing yourself is extremely important. Careers are built on success but also fear. One step back and two steps forward is a good ratio if you're trying to reach another level in your comedy. Whether that goal is getting longer sets or tightening punchlines, you have to set goals and find opportunities. One way to encompass all your goals is to take on the overwhelming task of filming your own comedy special.

Yes, filming your own 30 minute special. It doesn't have to be Dry Bar level productions. And you don't have to have a perfect 30 minutes. You just have to sit down, make a plan, rent a room, get a camera, and invest in yourself. For each person it's different. Maybe you film it 3 or 5 years into comedy or maybe you finally just take the last 10-15 years and film your best bits. But once you set this goal, your whole comedy career will feel and look different. Even if nothing comes out of it (which is impossible) at least you'll have something to show the world and prove to yourself you did it.  

So let's break down how to make this work for your wallet and time.

Budgeting and Planning 
Before you start getting anxiety even thinking about taking on such a high risk adventure, start by picking a date 8-12 months in advance. Just pick a date. April 4th sounds good. There, I just did it for you. 

Now pick a venue that seats 50-100 people. Hell, it can be 25 people or 200 people. I would pick a small theater and not a comedy club. Clubs will be more restrictive. Theaters will just rent the space to you and get out of the way. Or how about a back room of a restaurant or the backyard of a friend. Just pick a place and get a quote to reserve it. April 4th is booked there? Then pick a date around that one that works.  

Now you have a date and place. Black box theaters and the like want you there. So they'll be thrilled.  
Now figure out if anyone you know has a camera and wants to film you. One camera. Two cameras. 12 cameras. I don't care. Just figure out what you have at your disposal. Use a few iPhones and edit on Cap Cut. 

Now sit down and figure out how much it will cost and save up to pay the venue and the camera guy. Maybe go to the local junior college and ask the film production teacher if any students need a project. Maybe you can get a higher quality camera out of it. 

Maybe you get a side hustle for a few months to fund it. Whether you spend $500 or $5,000 - you have to see this as an investment. Though, I would cash flow it and not put it on a credit card. I want to invest and sacrifice for me not the bank. 

Pick a couple openers. Give them both 15 minutes to open the show. Make the damn thing feel like an event. And you just created a few accountability partners as well.

Think in broad strokes and not picky details. As problems pop up, solve them as fast as possible. Don't worry about them until they show up. Think Date, Venue, Camera. The objective is to make the tape you need to create the content you want to move the career forward in a direction you desire.        

Forcing Yourself To Get More Gigs and Write, Write, Write 
Now that you have a date and money on the line, go out and work on every bit you like and write new ones. Nothing forces you to step up like having to step up. Once you know the target date, begin the process of reaching out to every venue you can. Let them know you're working on filming a special in a few months and would love the stage time. 

By applying pressure on yourself and setting a goal you'll instantly feel different and more accomplished. By reaching out with a reason to get up will help with confidence. Too often comics are in their own head asking for spots. Knowing you're doing this for yourself, many will want to help. Plus, letting the crowd know you're working on jokes and making jokes about that will just create a better experience. Plus, people will want to ask questions and maybe even come to the taping. 

Organizing your jokes will take time and practice. You'll want to mix bits and eliminate tags that become repetitive. But the more you find times to get up, the more times you'll figure out pacing, tone, and the best order. 

Having a Permanent Digital Footprint 
Once you've accomplished this goal, you'll have a ton of footage to cut up, put out, and use for marketing purposes. But the greater good is once you produce and release your 30-40 minute special, you'll have a lasting document to prove you did something *literally* special. You will be able to have a digital diary of where you were at that time in our life - a milestone and notch on the belt. 

Most people have very little to show for their existence in the marketplace. Most people put in thirty years at the same job and only end up with a just a gold watch and pension they'll never show to anyone but a spouse. Your special will be something you can point to when people ask what kind of comedy do you do. You'll have a thing that's yours. Whether you spent $100 or $1,000 on it, it's a piece of you. And that feeling of self-accomplishment will carry you to the next milestone. 

I was lucky that Dry Bar reached out to me. I have a special on their app, on YouTube, and on Apple Music. And when I'm 60 years old, my 285 pound ass (at the time) will forever be there to see. We talk about immortality, and this is one way to reach it.

And on top of that, a decent quality 30-40 minute set is a great way to prove to bookers you have the ability and stamina to feature and headline.  

Your Special Can be the Canary in the Coal Mine     
Now, let's get a bit dark. Let's talk about the fear. 

The fear you'll lose money. The fear no one will come. The fear you'll bomb. The fear no one will watch it. The fear no one will like it. 

Yes. All of those things are possible. But what fear really is, at the end of the day, is a guiding light or canary in the coal mind. It can help you refine your goals and rebrand if needed. By pushing through fear you'll grow as an artist and person. 

If you lose money, then you can start seeing how to budget better. If no one comes, maybe you can decide if it's time to expand your networking and booker circle. If you bomb, then you can rethink the jokes you write. If no one watches your clips or special, then reevaluate your marketing and appeal. And if no one likes it and bookers don't book you, then you can at least say you did everything you could to become the professional comic you wanted to be. 

Of course, maybe people will come and people will like it and clubs and bookers will see the effort as a signifier of your growth and dedication. Other comics might be impressed and ask you to open for them or head their shows. 

There are many possibilities. But fear cannot be the reason you don't push onward. Dr. Seuss's "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" attacks this great paralyzing fear: 

You'll come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lightened. But mostly they are dark.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and your chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
Or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
​
But while you might ask a million questions, you have to challenge yourself. You have the tools and you know the risks, but it is in the challenges we find the victories. And Seuss challenges his readers to take that fear and walk forward with it.
​
But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike.
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
​
Sometimes it takes a children's poem to help us grow up. 

Final Thoughts
Art only becomes great and artists only live forever when they push themselves and create their own opportunities. One way for that is to film yourself doing 30-40 minutes, posting it, and using it to showcase your talents. There will be bumps along the way, but I promise you, if you set yourself up for success, regardless if it changes your life or not, it will change you. 

In The Hobbit, Bilbo is challenged by Gandalf to go on an adventure, and he asks a fearful question:

Bilbo: Can you promise that I will come back? 

Gandalf: No. And if you do, you will not be the same.

​And what a blessing that can be too.