Creating a Comic

Accepting criticism can be hard, and doing so graciously can be even harder. But it’s also one of the fastest ways that we can improve.

The simple fact is that we are not the best judges of our own performances. Some comics are too hard on themselves, while others habitually turn a blind eye to their faults. Even the best and most experienced comedians will occasionally miss something that a separate pair of critical eyes could easily diagnose.¹

Unfortunately, we sometimes have—certainly I sometimes have—an ungenerous tendency to dismiss advice based on the messenger. This is a natural instinct, but it’s also just plain wrong.² A good idea needs no qualification or credentials; it should be judged on its own merits. Placing too much weight on the messenger’s credentials is often used as justification for simply rejecting their criticism. When we do this, we risk filtering out critically helpful feedback.

Another way of engaging with criticism is to try to hear the underlying point of the critique. People aren’t often good at voicing exactly what they really mean. Try to tune out the way the message is delivered, and focus instead on absorbing the sentiment. For example, maybe someone saying “it seemed kind of mean” is a polite way of saying “you sound like an asshole,” and you should work harder at getting the audience on your side at the start of the act.

Be Gracious. They’re Doing You A Favor!

If someone is taking the time to offer genuine criticism or advice, they are spending their own time and energy on your behalf. If they really are acting in good faith, then be gracious about it, even if you disagree with everything they say and hate the way they say it.

Finally, try not to defend yourself or your material. That’s not part of the critical process. If you feel as though something you said was misunderstood, you can offer a clarification, but even then: if they didn’t get it the first time, maybe you didn’t communicate it very well.

And if someone’s just being a hater, let them hate. If I were Andrew I’d offer a pithy hip-hop lyric to illustrate the point, but I’m not, so I’ll just leave it at that.

Related entries in Creating a Comic:

• Preparing a Set List
• Working new material into a stand-up set
• Crowd Work: Playing with the Audience
• Open Mic: First Timer Primer
• Stand-up Comedy Glossary

1. These people are often called managers, and good ones earn every cent of their commission. [↩]
2. It’s also a logical fallacy. [↩]

 — Posted by CJ under Creating a Comic. Please comment or trackback!