What it's like to start doing comedy at Chistazo Comedy
Rumour has it that Chistazo Comedy is a Masonic organisation whose main aim is to harvest souls for Satan through comedy, but nothing could be further from the truth. We only harvest souls on weekdays, and the events are always on Sundays. So you've got nothing to fear.
Chistazo Comedy's official aim is to build a home-grown comedy scene in Málaga. To do that, it's crucial to give as many people as possible the chance to get on stage. In fact, around 80%* of the people who have got up on the Chistazo Comedy stage have gone on to perform three or more times.
Doing comedy is great fun. Few feelings are as powerful as telling a joke you wrote yourself, landing it on stage and watching a whole room burst into laughter and applause. Few things compare; it's in my top three alongside catching a Mew with a regular Poké Ball or hitting every green light when you're in a rush.
It's not as hard as many people think. In fact, if you've ever told a story and someone laughed, you're already halfway there.
How do I do my first stand-up set at Chistazo Comedy?
Start by writing down what you want to say. Maybe it's funny thoughts or anecdotes. One thing, though: don't copy other comedians' material. You can take inspiration from their style, but never copy their jokes. That's stealing their work.
Write down everything you feel like and find funny, and try to keep your set to about 5 minutes or less when you rehearse it. Bear in mind that you need to let the audience laugh, so leave a little pause after each punchline (the funny part of the joke, where the surprise comes).
How do I know if what I'm writing is funny?
Try your jokes on friends or record yourself telling them. If you laugh, that's a good sign. But the real test will always be the stage.
There are basic tips, like the fact that laughter lives in surprise, or when two unrelated ideas connect, so try to give what you say some element of surprise.
Later on we'll explain some types of jokes, stories and comedy techniques.
I've written my set, now what?
Great! Send us an email or get in touch on social media and we'll give you a spot in a show.
We recommend bringing a few friends. They'll support you more than anyone and help you feel more confident on stage.
It's not compulsory. In fact, some people prefer not to bring anyone, and that's fine too.
The day of my open mic has arrived, what should I keep in mind?
The big day is here! Get to the venue early. You don't want to add stress to your day by hunting for parking or turning up late. That way you'll also find out your slot in the running order and let the organiser know you've arrived.
Practise your set, but don't obsess if it doesn't come out exactly as you wrote it. In fact, a very common mistake among people with an acting background is reciting the joke; it should sound natural. The more natural, the better.
Make sure you don't go over your time. If you do, we'll flash a light at you to wrap up and get off. Respecting your time matters for the other comedians.
If you're nervous, try saying so out loud. The audience wants you to do well; they're on your side. Most likely they'll back you, and let you know with a big round of applause.
I've done my first open mic, now what?
Congratulations! How was it?
If it went well, brilliant! Hold on to that memory, because there'll be days when it doesn't go so well.
If it went badly, don't worry. Writing comedy is hard and it's a long game. Lots of things can lead to a bad set. The important thing is not to give up.
Feel free to ask us what we thought. We'll be happy to give you feedback and, when you're ready, we'll give you another go.
How does Chistazo Comedy help me?
At Chistazo Comedy we have a clear strategy to help our comedians develop. We want a healthy comedy scene where performers can experiment, grow and improve.
Our three pillars are:
- Stage progression: You'll start with 5 minutes to learn to condense your ideas. When you're ready, we'll give you 8 minutes so you can stretch out.
- Professional content: We've teamed up with Miel y Limón, our production company, to film high-quality videos you can use on your social media. This will help give you credibility nationally.
- Opportunities with top-level comedians: When you're ready*, you'll be able to share the stage with our special guests. In the meantime, make sure you come and meet them and do some networking. In comedy, as in any industry, as well as working hard it's important to know the right people.
See you on the Chistazo Comedy stage! 🎉
*This statistic is a rough guess, but hey, so are the CIS polls and they get paid for them. It's true, though, that the vast majority of people who get up do it at least two or three more times; we've only been going for 8 months, so they haven't had time to get up more. Those who got on stage in the very first shows are ALL still performing today***.
**This is decided in the dark offices of Chistazo Comedy Corp., which are in the catacomb where Paquito de la Torre keeps his sarcophagus. So we can't tell you when it'll be: work hard, put in the effort, help your fellow comedians and the opportunity will come.
*** Except one; one day we'll tell you who it was and why, it's mad! But it's an inside joke, just for the real die-hards.