Have you ever dreamed of filming your own comedy special?
With the rise of digital platforms and accessible technology, producing your own stand-up comedy special is more feasible than ever. Whether you're an aspiring comedian looking to make a name for yourself or a seasoned performer ready to take control of your creative vision, this guide is for you.
Let's walk through the steps to create a comedy special that resonates with your audience and showcases your unique comedic voice.
Why are so many comedians releasing their hour long specials on YouTube for free?
Netflix and Amazon deals are great, but many of them might offer $50K-$100K for three to five years of the average comedians work. They can also make you sign off your material in perpetuity, meaning you can't monetize that content anywhere else.
Considering you could make the same money working at Home Depot, a lot of comics now would rather shoot their own special and then control the future ticket sales, YouTube ad Revenue, merchandise, podcast deals and more.
How Much Does It Cost To Shoot a Stand Up Comedy Special?
So how much does it cost to film a stand up comedy special? Shooting a stand up comedy special can be as low as $5,000 or as high as $500,000.
It really just depends on the venue, stage design, film and audio equipment and much more.
Typically shooting a 400 seater with 5 cameras shouldn'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 also spend close to $5000 on a venue, security, ticketing, marketing and so on.
How to Film and Create a Stand Up Comedy Special
Getting to the nitty gritty, your comedy special needs to be thought out. It's great that you worked for years on getting an hour of material that people laugh at. That's the hard part and congratulate yourself on getting it done.
But now, how do you package it up and sell it? While it could be your ticket to stardom and success...if nobody clicks on it or downloads it will all that effort be for nothing?
In other words, why should housewives, accountants, students and frat bros watch it?
Why should people care?
Step 1: Conceptualize Your Show
The first step in knowing how to create a stand up comedy special is to conceptualize the show.
What's your unique angle or theme? Are you exploring a particular narrative, or is your set a collection of observational humor?
Decide on the tone, structure, and overarching message of your special. This conceptual framework will guide your content and presentation.
If you're catering to soccer moms bored of suburbia, maybe your show theme could be around that. If you're in your twenties and just quit your job, maybe you could call it "Quarter Life Crisis."
Whatever the angle, make sure you structure your setlist and jokes in service of that umbrella. You can still throw in those random zingers in between longer bits, but make sure people now "what this album" is kind of about.
Step 2: Write and Refine Your Material
Writing is the backbone of any comedy special.
Spend time crafting your jokes, stories, and segues. Test your material at open mics and smaller shows, noting what resonates with audiences and what falls flat.
Use this feedback to refine your set, ensuring each joke and story aligns with your overall concept.
A lot of comics also don't realize their special might not be for everyone. A 25 year old Gen-Z comic talking about LGBTQ themes might be better served trying out their show in San Francisco than San Antonio. And vice versa.
The beauty is that once you have a good recording you're happy with you can find any audience on the internet and they can find you.
Step 3: Choose the Right Venue
The venue sets the atmosphere for your special.
Small, intimate spaces can create a cozy, personal vibe, while larger theaters offer a grander, more impactful experience.
Consider your audience size, the style of your comedy, and the technical capabilities you'll need when selecting your venue.
I personally think the large arena specials don't hit as well on camera as the smaller spaces, because the laughter just translates better in smaller spaces for the at-home viewer.
Step 4: Assemble Your Production Team
A successful comedy special requires a skilled production team.
You'll need a director who understands your vision, a camera crew experienced in live performance filming, and sound technicians to ensure crystal-clear audio.
Don't forget about lighting designers and stage managers to keep everything running smoothly.
The minimum viable product for a stand-up comedy special would probalby need:
3 Cameraman (One wide angle, one close up, and one side)
1 lighting technician
1 Audio Engineer to always monitor your audio and the crowds
1 director to watch all the feeds and look for good crowd reactions
2-3 friends or fellow comics who can usher the crowd, handle hecklers, and assist the camera crew or others who need things done ("Go get the extra battery or SD card from my truck!")
Step 5: Plan Your Filming Strategy
Decide on the number of shows you'll film and the camera angles that best capture your performance.
Multiple shows allow for editing flexibility, letting you choose the best takes.
Consider close-ups for personal stories, wide shots for physical comedy, and audience reactions to highlight your jokes' impact.
When I saw Daniel Tosh in Los Angeles I was surprised that as the show ended, they asked us to stick around another 20 minutes while they got the extra footage they needed and had him come out a few times to reshoot his introduction for the DVD.
Step 6: Rehearse Thoroughly
Rehearsal is crucial.
Beyond perfecting your performance, rehearse with your production team to coordinate technical aspects like lighting cues and camera movements. This ensures a seamless integration of your comedy and the production elements.
Step 7: Film Your Special
It's showtime! Give your best performance, feeding off the energy of a live audience. Trust your preparation and your team, and remember to enjoy the moment. This is your time to shine.
Do not freestyle or go heavy into crowd work if you can avoid it!
Step 8: Edit Your Special
Post-production is where your comedy special truly comes together.
Work with an experienced editor to craft the narrative, pacing, and rhythm of your special. Include different angles and audience reactions to enhance the viewing experience.
A good editor can cost between $500 and $5,000 for the weeks/months they might spend cutting together and mixing your special.
Step 9: Distribute Your Special
With your special edited and ready to go, it's time to think about distribution.
Digital platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or specialized streaming services for comedians are great places to start. You can also explore selling your special to a streaming service for broader exposure.
If you're new to releasing a special you want to get as many eyeballs as possible. I would suggest you aim for thousands of views on YouTube and start growing your social media following, so you can hit the road and get lots of shows which will put some money in your account.
Step 10: Promote Your Special
Promotion is key to ensuring your special reaches your audience. Most comics overlook this and it can make or break your special's success.
Hashtags, titles, time of day and length of clips can all factor in the overall reception of your effort.
Often times a one minute clip from your special will get way more views than the actual hour.
Utilize social media, email newsletters, and comedian networks to spread the word.
Consider hosting a premiere event or participating in interviews and podcasts to drum up excitement.
Conclusion
Every comedian knows that they need a one hour special released. Most however think just jokes with laughter is all it takes. Unfortunately that's far from reality. Just like another action movie with million dollar special effects could be a flop, the same can be the case with comedy.
People like art for all sorts of reasons and comedy is still art. A lot of comics are confused when they killed in their special but some other video with a B+ performance is so well received. Well it might be the subject matter is just more engaging to the public at that time or it was marketed better.
The point is, think about all the ways you can give your one hour comedy special the best chance of success and you'll be fine!
Comments