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Congratulations, sort of! You’re going to embark on a journey that is challenging & rewarding. Embarking on a career in comedy is a dream for many young comedians, But before you get started, there are a few things you should know.
It is important to be aware of the mental health challenges that come with the job. If you are not prepared to deal with these challenges, comedy may not be the right career for you
Study suggests that standup’s tend to die young, the average age of death is just 67.1 for comics. The UK, average is 80!
I am not trying to scare anyone or event stop people getting involved in comedy. I am just trying to highlight an unspoken truth and hopefully prepare people rather than perturb people.
It’s not all about telling jokes. In fact, the joke-telling is often the easy part. The hard part is coming up with the jokes in the first place. And even then, there’s no guarantee that they’ll land with the audience.
That’s why comedians spend so much time writing and rewriting their material. They’ll try out new jokes in small clubs and bars, and they’ll get feedback from their friends and fellow comedians. It’s a process of trial and error, and it can be very frustrating.
But if you’re willing to put in the work, it can be incredibly rewarding. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of making an audience laugh. It’s a feeling of connection and shared joy that can be hard to find anywhere else.
Those days are kind of over. Now you have to wear 4 or 5 hats in order to make it. Joke writer, performer, Videographer, Editor, Social media manager, Promoter, Designer all these things are skills you will probably need to make it in today’s landscape.
The odds of making it are slim, and even if you do, you’ll probably have to make A LOT of sacrifices along the way.
You’ll have to travel a lot. You’ll have to work long late hours. You’ll have to deal with rejection on a daily basis. And you’ll have to be prepared to put your personal life on hold.
If you’re not willing to make those sacrifices, then you’re probably better off not trying to be a comedian.
But if you are willing to put in the work, then honestly go for it!
Many people don’t realise that being a comedian can be a huge strain on your mental health. Even for the most mentally strong amongst us.
Constantly being judged by other comics, audience, family, critics. This can be a very difficult thing to deal with, and it can lead to feelings of self-doubt and depression.
The world needs more comedians. We need people who can make us laugh, who can make us think, and who can help us see the world in a new way.
So if you’ve got a good sense of humour and you’re willing to work hard, then go out there and make us laugh!
If you’ve considered all of these factors and you’re still determined to be a comedian, then go for it! But just be prepared for the challenges ahead. It’s not an easy career, but it can be incredibly rewarding.
If you are a comedian who is struggling with your mental health, there are a number of things you can do to get help.
First, you should talk to a therapist. They can help you to understand your feelings and develop coping mechanisms. You may also want to consider joining a support group for comedians. These groups can provide you with a safe space to talk about your experiences and connect with other people who understand what you are going through.
If you are struggling with your mental health, please know that you are not alone. There are people who can help you. Please reach out for help today.
https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/
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