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HEF MONO musings
Apr. 19th, 2007 03:48 pmSo big, big thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
2sick2pray for lending me her book, CREATING YOUR OWN MONOLOGUE, by Glenn Alterman, which has proven an invaluable resource for THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES. Seriously, this book is absolutely tailor-made for (pretty much) every damn thing I'm looking for. It's written in an upbeat, fun, and fully supportive style, which is absolutely essential for me, but at the same time doesn't bullshit the aspiring performer either. Good.
For one thing, Danny Hoch's interview brings up two very good points. 1.) It's not about the money (which is plainly obvious, but always good to be reminded point-blank) and 2.) Who's Your Audience? I'm trying to figure that one out. So far, I think my audience is between the ages of 18 and 35, readers of alternative free city newspapers and The Onion, people who listen to "This American Life" on NPR and those with an ear towards pop culture. I'm not quite certain if that's the best description of my demographic, or if I'm even entirely correct, but that's my current theory this far into the game.
The book also raises an interesting idea: I could put THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES up as the Fringe as a "work in progress." That way I could develop it, rehearse it with a live audience and get feedback. That might be an ideal situation this early on in the game. And the book also says that by letting the audience know ahead of time that it's a "work in progress," it lowers expectations a little... which might benefit me? Or would that not be a good idea?
I'm also considering maybe taking this opportunity to go all-out and, alacavenessity, get some kick-ass professional promotional photos of me in a number of outfits and backgrounds. But perhaps I should hold off until I do the shows in a bigger venue. Do I really wanna go all-out for five performances in a place that seats 35? Or should I after all, since this is not gonna be the easiest sell anyway?
Finally, the book has a whole sub-chapter titled "Gimmicky Openings." I read that and went, "Whuh-oh." Erm... after reading this, folks, I think... well, I thinkspacechild, sole naysayer to me doing the 300 trailer, might have been right on the money. Ah well. Maybe it could be an extra feature on the DVD?
Because yes, I need these to be filmed. Partially for my own benefit, so I can watch and critique myself. And partially for promotion, so I can send demo tapes to venues. Also, lord knows I'd want a whole HEFNER MONOLOGUES IN CONCERT DVD.
Which reminds me, I've been trying to do some research on other storytellers/stand up comedians who seem comparable to what I have to offer. I just watched BILL COSBY: HIMSELF, am constantly rewatching the wonderful CHRISTOPHER TITUS: NORMAN ROCKWELL IS BLEEDING, and, since it's not available to buy or rent, am going to purchase sight-unseen all four of John Leguizamo's one-man shows via eBay. You'd better be right about how brilliant he is, Danny. I except nothing less than inspiration and awe! And I just threw Spalding Gray's MONSTER IN A BOX to the top of the Netflix queue.
Because that's something else I'm trying to keep in mind. What do THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES have to offer that no one else can? My stuff is mostly spoken word storytelling, not all-out stand-up like Cosby or Titus, but I throw a few more dashes of stand-up comedy in there than Spalding Gray or Garrison Keillor. So far, the closest person who seems to do what I do (or want to do) is Henry Rollins, and I benefit from being a decidedly un-Rollinsian person.
Ooh, I should add some Henry Rollins to my Netflix queue. Any other one-man shows out there on DVD I should look for?
The book reminded me that I'm still really gonna need a director though. Like, really really. Someone who understands my throughline and can strengthen the show as a whole. Hmm. Maybe I'll put out a plea for help to the Rudes/Speakeasy/Dale/Gary Sloan and see if anything comes from it.
Oy. OK, back to the more pressing matter of FAUSTUS. And maybe Studio class, but at this point, it's fallen at the bottom of my priorities. You hear that, Serge?! YOU can be REPLACED!
2sick2pray for lending me her book, CREATING YOUR OWN MONOLOGUE, by Glenn Alterman, which has proven an invaluable resource for THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES. Seriously, this book is absolutely tailor-made for (pretty much) every damn thing I'm looking for. It's written in an upbeat, fun, and fully supportive style, which is absolutely essential for me, but at the same time doesn't bullshit the aspiring performer either. Good. For one thing, Danny Hoch's interview brings up two very good points. 1.) It's not about the money (which is plainly obvious, but always good to be reminded point-blank) and 2.) Who's Your Audience? I'm trying to figure that one out. So far, I think my audience is between the ages of 18 and 35, readers of alternative free city newspapers and The Onion, people who listen to "This American Life" on NPR and those with an ear towards pop culture. I'm not quite certain if that's the best description of my demographic, or if I'm even entirely correct, but that's my current theory this far into the game.
The book also raises an interesting idea: I could put THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES up as the Fringe as a "work in progress." That way I could develop it, rehearse it with a live audience and get feedback. That might be an ideal situation this early on in the game. And the book also says that by letting the audience know ahead of time that it's a "work in progress," it lowers expectations a little... which might benefit me? Or would that not be a good idea?
I'm also considering maybe taking this opportunity to go all-out and, ala
cavenessity, get some kick-ass professional promotional photos of me in a number of outfits and backgrounds. But perhaps I should hold off until I do the shows in a bigger venue. Do I really wanna go all-out for five performances in a place that seats 35? Or should I after all, since this is not gonna be the easiest sell anyway?Finally, the book has a whole sub-chapter titled "Gimmicky Openings." I read that and went, "Whuh-oh." Erm... after reading this, folks, I think... well, I think
spacechild, sole naysayer to me doing the 300 trailer, might have been right on the money. Ah well. Maybe it could be an extra feature on the DVD? Because yes, I need these to be filmed. Partially for my own benefit, so I can watch and critique myself. And partially for promotion, so I can send demo tapes to venues. Also, lord knows I'd want a whole HEFNER MONOLOGUES IN CONCERT DVD.
Which reminds me, I've been trying to do some research on other storytellers/stand up comedians who seem comparable to what I have to offer. I just watched BILL COSBY: HIMSELF, am constantly rewatching the wonderful CHRISTOPHER TITUS: NORMAN ROCKWELL IS BLEEDING, and, since it's not available to buy or rent, am going to purchase sight-unseen all four of John Leguizamo's one-man shows via eBay. You'd better be right about how brilliant he is, Danny. I except nothing less than inspiration and awe! And I just threw Spalding Gray's MONSTER IN A BOX to the top of the Netflix queue.
Because that's something else I'm trying to keep in mind. What do THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES have to offer that no one else can? My stuff is mostly spoken word storytelling, not all-out stand-up like Cosby or Titus, but I throw a few more dashes of stand-up comedy in there than Spalding Gray or Garrison Keillor. So far, the closest person who seems to do what I do (or want to do) is Henry Rollins, and I benefit from being a decidedly un-Rollinsian person.
Ooh, I should add some Henry Rollins to my Netflix queue. Any other one-man shows out there on DVD I should look for?
The book reminded me that I'm still really gonna need a director though. Like, really really. Someone who understands my throughline and can strengthen the show as a whole. Hmm. Maybe I'll put out a plea for help to the Rudes/Speakeasy/Dale/Gary Sloan and see if anything comes from it.
Oy. OK, back to the more pressing matter of FAUSTUS. And maybe Studio class, but at this point, it's fallen at the bottom of my priorities. You hear that, Serge?! YOU can be REPLACED!
