| How to Be a Working Comic: An Insider's Guide to a Career in Stand-Up Comedy | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 18 reviews)
Sales Rank: 255658
Category: Book
Author: Dave Schwensen
Publisher: Back Stage Books
Studio: Back Stage Books
Manufacturer: Back Stage Books
Label: Back Stage Books
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 176
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4
ISBN: 0823088146
Dewey Decimal Number: 792.7028023
EAN: 9780823088140
ASIN: 0823088146
Publication Date: September 1, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
This truly funny book about being funny is also a serious guide to the business of laughter and how to make it pay off. New York and Los Angeles Talent Coordinator Dave Schwensen shows how to get onstage experience and contact bookers, agents, and managers.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 VERY cool book if you want to learn how to be a stand up comic! August 15, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm taking his one-day workshop so I bought the book to prepare for it-the book is very cool, down-to-earth, tells it like it is. It's more for 'intermediate' comedians who already have an idea about material but want to branch up and out to more than 'open mikes' or bringer shows.
I recommend it to anyone who wants to make comedy a bigger part of their life.
 Valuable but not not concise January 15, 2007
I believe this is probabaly an obligatory book for any person aspiring to become a professional comic and/or writer. Personally I found it cumbersome and a tiring read.
 How to be a working comic October 19, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It made me laugh, it made me cry...
There are many books out there on the subject, but I've found this one to be the most concise and detailed one out there to date. Not only does it tell you what works and what doesn't in your pursuit to becoming a working comic, but it also brings you insight from some of the top working comedic minds of our generation.
If you're looking to write comedy, great, they're many books out there on the subject, but this is not what this book intends to do. No, this one puts on a platter for you, what you need to (and what it takes) to make it in the business.
If it works you use it; and if it doesn't you don't.
I'm a working stand-up comic and I love this book, and use it. I've been fortunate to work with some really great individuals out there who all share with one another. Be it advice, tips and/or recommendations with the intent of helping you get better, while you help them get better.
This book won't make you a great stand-up comic (you have to do that for yourself), but it will point you in the right direction, and provide you with a solid foundation on how to make it in the business, from headshots to resumes, and how and where to do what you do that makes others laugh.
I give this book "FIVE BANANAS!"
Keep smiling and laughing,
Joey Z
One hell of a businessman January 8, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Schwensen's business-like nature is sometimes annoying. He name-drops a lot and fawns over the genius of Carrot Top, offering as evidence of his creativity the fact that he makes money. But if you can supply the artistry, Schwensen definately knows the business. He has a lot of direct, useful information about how to market your act at all levels of competition, from novices to headliners.
 Does not offer much August 11, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book deals exclusively with the business side of stand-up. It tells you what you need and what is important but only gives simple suggestions on how to achieve it. Also there is advice from comedieans at the end but none of the comedieans are headliners or big. Overall, this book is not for stand-up tips but basically a listing of what is needed to succeed in the business.
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