Sorry, it's been a while since I've written. I did the weekend seminar called Performance Power Mastery. It was a great deal of fun for me and those who attended. I was able to teach more advanced skills because I had more time. The Forms of Thinking Funny was a huge hit. Participants were writing jokes spontaneously because the form of thinking lead them right to the joke.

Alas, back to the subject I promise from the previous blog. The answer to my question: How do folks learn to pitch improvements and fixes? The answer comes back an earlier blog...technique. This is the reason proper technique is so important. When comics know exactly what joke structure is, then and only then can they correct a joke. They don't have to point out what's wrong; all they have to do is pitch a fix. By working this way, my students don't get defensive because they are offered a fix. If the fix is obviously better, I find that comics jump at the improvement.

Furthermore, we are working in collaboration; therefore there is a room full of comics pitching fixes, jokes and tags. Since we are all on the same page of technique, we are all speaking the same comedy language. It is so much fun when a class gets together and improves a joke or routine. (The alternative without technique is "keep it if it works" or "take it out if it doesn't.") There is a vast difference between this black and white approach and the skilled ability to pitch fixes which improve a comedian's material. I am always amazed at how many jokes and routines are save through solution collaboration.

Next, I'll write about my weekend seminar...

Break a Funny Bone!
Greg Dean