Writing Workshop with Steve Shaffer at Laughing Buddha Comedy School
The Laughing Buddha Comedy School workshop:
Writing and Performing Stand Up Comedy
Speaker: Steve Shaffer
This is one of the many workshops that The Laughing Buddha Comedy School offers.
It was a great pleasure to see Steve Shaffer as the speaker for this The Laughing Buddha Comedy School workshop, its small enough to were you can really connect.
I first looked up more information on Steve Shaffer to first see if his style was in the same area as my own. I make a habit of this if I am paying to get their advice!
There were some great videos showing his work. Steve Shaffer has a great career, the type most comedians would be envies of. Steve Shaffer as well as Jeff Lawrence made sure the space was comfortable enough to relax, but structured to make sure everyone got their time to get personalized feedback from both Steve Shaffer and Jeff Lawrence.
Because this is a writing workshop it was limited to 10 students. We each performed and then Steve Shaffer (with the help of my fellow class mates) put the bits under the comedic microscope to help find act outs, mixes, strengthen the idea and generally help make the bits cleaner and stronger.
Because this was a Laughing Buddha Comedy School workshop (any Workshop) I tend to know to bring my current act and a recording device, pen and paper.
I did make the mistake of bringing very new material, literally Virgin, just written bits. I did not yet perform these live at an open mike. This was both good and bad for me.
When it was time to present the 5 min act: It was far from polished and I had to rely on my notes. The act outs were not there and because I am still new, it’s still awkward to perform stand up with out an audience to respond to. But not only did I receive feedback and specific advice about where I can get more laughs, and even a call back. It was nice. I am still working on the bits but have a stronger set already. Worth the price!