Stand-Up 101: The Fundamentals

Stand-Up Comedy fundamentals from Marshall Chiles... owner of The Laughing Skull Lounge in Atlanta who has been performing stand-up since 1999. Check out www.MarshallChiles.com to learn more about him/me.
This video teaches you the basics of finding, writing and performing stand-up comedy. Please be aware, there is no substitute for getting on stage... but these notes should help any newbie comic have a better idea of what to do and what not to do... and remind experienced comedians about some basics.
We guarantee you will be much better at stand-up by watching this video 100 times and applying its lessons on stage 1,000 times.
OTHER NUGGETS OF WISDOM:
"Everything has been done, except for your life."
"Everything you want is on the other side of fear."
"Every master started as a mess."
"Don't fuck the staff."
EDIT: Thank you very much for all the kind words in the comments. I am beyond flattered at how much people say this video has helped them have a better understanding of hitting the stage to perform the art of stand-up comedy. Remember, if you want to get better at stand-up, the always write & always perform.

[@Blakhuma]

Did some stand up comedy about the mother in law, the front row were in tears! Well it was her funeral.

[@violetbrown8998]

very nice.!

[@Flipindabird23]

How much are your tickets lol

[@angellopez3444]

Hahaha that’s was good 👌🏻

[@NeilsYoutubeAccount]

I'm stealing this.

[@Fluffyfrenchy]

Great!!!

[@jennodine]

“Magicians do it all the time…all while disappointing their parents.” Love that little zinger he slipped in there.

[@thomasgovens4731]

“Everything’s been done except you life” that single line blew my mind

[@Omoiyari23]

cool

[@SweetiePie484]

Yes!

[@transcendentalanarchy]

"you can't think of a new colour" that single line blue my mind

[@BassTromBen]

There are only a few genuinely helpful videos on getting started in standup. This is definitely one of them. The amount of time you’re saving us is worth so much, thank you!

[@makcsimos]

Hello Could you share other helpful videos with us?

[@jelliott8424]

I spent 3+ years as a pro comedy club staffer and have seen about 4000 comedy acts of the best in the business at the time. Even better, I got to watch them periodically and saw them try new jokes and change things up over time. I saw them at their best and worst, with good audiences and bad, and hung out with them during their week in town where they talked shop and the trade. This is pretty good starting advice and cuts through a lot of the 'comedy hack' problems that all the pros intuitively understand after many failures on stage.

[@MarshallChiles]

Thank you very much... yea, this info comes from producing close to 10,000 comedy shows with some of the funniest comedians on the planet.

[@anthonyowen8800]

This is golden.. after my first gig, that went off like a rocket (As much as I planned that I never seen it coming, weirdly) but thank you. Really got me in the right direction for my next set. Sending grateful energy your way my friend.

[@laughingskulltv6909]

Wow peeps... thank you so much for all the kind reviews.

[@JimmyMcGillsg]

Laughing SkullTV hello i was wondering if i should introduce myself first like hello good evening let me first introduce myself my name is bla bla im from the city bla or should i just get straight to it i feel like really focussing on the start how to start the act

[@mr.nobody9697]

No thats terrible. nobody cares. People go to a comedy club to hear jokes that make them laugh not to hear where you are from. Open up by greeting everyone, say your name and slide right into your first joke.

[@marcddailey]

Telling where you're from is a good intro if you go right into jokes about where you're from. like, I'm from Chicago's East Side. They are so poor that ... bla bla bla.

[@evan-quinnphotography8898]

"if its worth stealing. Its worth getting caught" xD

[@davidshaw7549]

Now that’s comedy.

[@BlairGrotbeck]

This has to be the single best joke writing tutorial I've ever found. Wish I had this 3 years ago. A lot of people explain joke writing in WAY too complex terms and it makes it very overwhelming. In a way this made it seem easy. Or at least obtainable. Thank you so much. If I was in Atlanta I'd take the class.

[@keithgreene79]

There are no comedy clubs, open mics or comedy shows within a 100 miles of where I live. My buddy and I wrote some material and are going to make a go at our local music venues opening for bands. This was a big help. Our first go at it is in 4 days. Nervous but excited. Thanks for the tips and structure.

[@lt00131]

How did it go?

[@charlesbell5500]

@@lt00131 He didn't reply so he probably bombed.

[@rickb.1751]

@@charlesbell5500 Or doesn't get notified when a comment is replied to, which is just as likely.

[@sayno2lolzisback]

This video is incredible. I have read so much about stand up comedy and this is the most informative thing I have come across. Watching this has helped me realise why I bombed so badly the first time tried stand up.

[@RiotxGiirl]

I did an open mic yesterday and everything went ok, but I couldn't help but feel that I was just saying words, I wasn't really "in the moment" and even tho I remembered everything and it was a good night, It all felt weird. It's really helpful to see this video now, I can understand what I felt and I can't wait to the next open mic to work on it. Thanks!

[@omg_wtf]

Nice congrats

[@Krickly]

Part way through this video, I started feeling strangely guilty. I felt like I definitely should have had to pay to watch this. Great presentation, man! I'm going to need to re-watch a few more times for the joke writing part to soak in.

[@archesworn377]

He understands, he grew up poor.

[@Observ45er]

It is reassuring that many of these are things I have seen and figured out myself, studying comedy for the last few years. Placing different terms on them also helps.

[@RobSajous]

Tried open mic years ago 3 times and didn’t do too well but I feel more ready now then then. I’ve been writing material and after watching this video, I feel more confident. Thank you for this!

[@rickb.1751]

Yoda: There is no try

[@sudeep271195]

"all while disappointing their parents" .... You , sir are aweome!!

[@MarshallChiles]

thank you very much...

[@chestercurtis7840]

That was awesome!

[@gwho]

that was solid indeed

[@mangohallucinates]

that was such a meta moment and he acted like it was nobodys business

[@BarbaraBrasileiro]

I loled in that one haha

[@joescipioni]

Probably the best lesson on fundamentals I've found on the net so far!

[@MarshallChiles]

thank you very much...

[@almoines1]

I´m also married with two kids, but I thinks it´s illegal...

[@Badral8]

hahaha good one!

[@teebone420]

clever

[@felixrodriguez5050]

I spit my water out

[@ikarus8982]

I am trying to write rap lyrics and a lot of rap lyrics are punchline, pun and joke based. So this is a perfect video for me. Always been a fan of stand up too. Might do a Doc Brown and merge the two.

[@youtubeviewer9574]

You’ll probably like Lil Dickey

[@valerieduckworth6649]

COOL!!! Didn't realize this

[@noahw4623]

@@youtubeviewer9574 You probably are lil dicky :/ (No reason for being mean I just like the comeback)

[@princealmighty5391]

@@valerieduckworth6649 but you just did

[@timdixon3391]

Ice Cube said that if you weren't funny you're not going to be a good rapper

[@dudewithadog]

This was incredibly helpful, with lots of great advice I didn't find in that detail after quite some research. Thanks for sharing!

[@buildingblissnz7543]

This presentation is phenomenal. As someone who is seriously contemplating open mic comedy as a side hobby what you have shared is absolute gold dust to me. These tools and techniques shared will massively help me create a sense of structure and direction to move forward. Thank you so much.

[@terri8982]

This totally nailed my 2 writing loves. I can write my column and then take the column and make it funny. Makes me get twice as much out of my writing. The best part is that I love the whole process and I have fun writing and coming up with ideas even if I am not in a funny mood.

[@mcukodo9400]

Can we work together???

[@dgallagher7029]

Thank you. I did a weekly class for 12 weeks with a show at the end and you’ve taught more here than that class ever did. Brilliant Thanks

[@skydude7682]

Brevity

[@jphillips4620]

Dude....This is perfect. It answered so many questions I had and made me infinitely more confident about going to an open mic.

[@EBUNNY2012]

This is a great video. Thank you for making it and posting it.

[@MarshallChiles]

Thank you very much! I am flattered by all the positive feedback...

[@thelaughingphilosopher2421]

Whilst I agree with the people who said Amy Schumer isn't funny, you have still made a really useful, insightful video, Mr. Chiles. Thank You!!!

[@humorwins854]

my pleasure. Yea, the idea that people are latching onto that one sentence out of all the others shows that they are haters. A hater is someone who whispers your successes while screaming about your mistakes. Not saying the Amy line is a mistake, just that they think it is.

[@magie0607]

80% truth and 20% creative license. Not lies.. I do not lie...

[@hugopoyoyo9886]

Liar

[@tonytygrrHI]

You truly cover the basics - and expand on your methods for creating a base for good comedy! One of the best Comedy 101 courses i've scene on KZbin!

[@braybray8506]

The funniest joke in this video was when you said Amy Schumer was a good comedian

[@MarshallChiles]

I guarantee she is funnier than you.

[@traykunable]

desktopking LMAO dude THIS is the best joke on this page!

[@Alice-sh1qy]

I was about to joke “0:44 *cough* Amy Schumer *cough*

[@frankbernard6433]

The guy is trying to get laid ....will show him show him some damn respect !!!! Please and thank you

[@susank8168]

I dunno that was pretty funny

[@larrybrechtjr163]

Good video. Thank you. Oh and I believe “If you’re not going to be funny, be interesting” are the words of Mr Dave Chappell. That’s how I first heard it anyway. But thanks for the great video on comedy basics. I really dig it. Oh and I also love the quote- “If I had more time , I’d have written less”. Brilliant!

[@joeymanson2222]

So crazy, My opening line was.... "I know what some of you are thinking. When did Rob Zombie start doing stand up?" This video is quite validating.

[@turtle3341]

you can tell this guy is a pro because he could keep my attention through this long video

[@melodyh967]

Thanks for posting this. My 8 year old son wants to be a comedian. We call him Mr. Entertainment at home-- he is either trying to dance like Michael Jackson or practicing his Jim Carey impersonations. We homeschool-- and what is so wonderful about homeschooling is that- as his teacher, I can tailor my lesson plans to what suits him best... So I will be teaching him some of these fundamentals from your video... and then we can study the art of comedy and spend our days watching Ace Ventura and Step Brothers and call it 'school'... seeing as he doesn't really have to know how math works. :)

[@melodyh967]

We have a homeschool group that meets once a week (for class---and other times just to hang out) but each week for his Speech/Presentation class, my son puts on some entertaining performance. He is wildly funny. Thank you for giving this un-funny mom some techniques that I can teach him as he writes his new material this week. :) :)

[@MarshallChiles]

@@melodyh967 thanks for the kind words and hope this helps your son. Also check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3irh3akl76Epqc

[@selfscience]

Confidence + humility. That idea made my mind blow because it is idea that I has been munching.

[@InnerResearcher]

An incredibly helpful video!! I'm just starting out with comedy and this has been the best thing ever. Thank you so much for taking the time to do it - I'm sure so many people have benefited just as I did! Thank you!

[@MarshallChiles]

glad I can help... hope it helps you on your journey

[@noahnederlands7642]

I always wanted to start writing comedy but I never knew how to start. Because of this video I finally started and I am now writing my first set to do at an open mic. Thank you so much for this Greeting from the Netherlands

[@timkransel9676]

how did it go?

[@alexnicholscomedy]

I’m getting prepared to enter a comedy competition and the tips are invaluable, so thanks!

[@KC-cr9ew]

“If it’s worth stealing, it’s worth getting caught...” *realizes that’s not how English works*

[@vitinosolano6632]

I'm trying to figure out if that was a colonizing joke. If so, that's brilliant.

[@plastic2666]

The quote at 15:30 is actually "forgive me for the long letter for i didn't have the time to make it short" not as short as how he said it but i think it's better phrased this way

[@kb1750]

Unbelievable ..thanks for your time making this tutorial. Gonna give some of these tips a try as I'm new to standup. Thanks allot

[@pagmatic]

This is what I needed to understand how the formulas work together. Thank you.

[@jasonrhodes766]

brilliant. I feel like a better performer just from watching. lots to apply to my act. thank you.

[@anantmall5812]

This is top class training material. Thanks i'm going for my first open mic! How this video has 5000 views and channel only 100 subs is beyond me!

[@AlegreFranz]

how did it go?

[@peytonbell5637]

Anant Mall did you do it????

[@lordadamson]

How did it go?

[@elizadarcy8641]

How did it go?

[@bleepbloop6303]

How did it go?

[@StaceyBing]

Thank you for posting this 🙏 I'm currently doing self-help vids on the topic of mental health, to raise awareness, make people feel less alone, and save money on therapists! So, I've decided to learn comedy in order to make the dark topic lighter...this is really helpful 😀 (I tried the law of 3 in this comment...it's my first ever joke, I hope it worked 😂)

[@JackyTMusic]

He didnt explain that its best to have the three escalating btw or in this case the first two then the suggestion the third will be more pertinent than the last.. you did it naturally so well done! Look up tricolons

[@naiamtugender4398]

nt

[@sinofraj1744]

"square root of three or whatever!!!" Man, you really don't know how Math works.

[@cybergrimreaper6669]

Are you bragging about you maths skill!? The Last time I heard anyone brag about maths when I was talking to a nerd🤓

[@SantinoDeluxe]

I know this was from 8 months ago but, for the sake of comedy... Consider it a callback; he can't be too concerned about the accuracy of his calculations, he's busy putting in 110%

[@jackismname]

Whenever I read these comments I anticipate a punchline.

[@skatman227]

Best video to help starting comedians IMO. Thank you helped a bunch.

[@thinkthoughtsforhours6052]

REPETITION IS the key to mastery. so starting today 3/29/2019 i'm watchingb 15 minutes of this video over and over again several times a day. move on after three days then watch the next 15 minutes several times aday for four days. then repeat over and over again. i should master the material in a couple months

[@nagitowokomaeda1730]

My dream is to be a comedian. I have a Google doc dedicated to it and I'm taking notes of every single thing you say as I watch.

[@danx9243]

NagitOwO Komaeda eyyyyy my franticly writing things on google docs gang

[@nabunagaa-leagueoflegends1175]

all while diopointing the parents made me spit my food xD

[@vikneshmaniam5618]

the tunisian prankster, well you're a diopointment to your english teacher.

[@RMarr-uy9hf]

Best PowerPoint presentation I’ve ever seen.

[@DetroitAnalog]

Never saw these things spelled out like this. I now recognize that I have seen this technique hundreds of times. Thanks for the effort in throwing this together . :0)

[@shaktishekharpanda8360]

This is one of the best piece of education of my life. Thank you so much. I need to know more from you , where can I find your materials?

[@MarshallChiles]

well, this is also a book for presentations I wrote called 'Your Presentation is a Joke: Using Humor to Maximize Your Impact',,, but it is really 90% this info and then the other 10% is specific for presentations... thanks for the kind words and glad this video helped you. (ps... You can get my book on amazon if you are interested)

[@BIKINGWITHBOBO]

dude, this video was awesome!!! you've def open my mind to all sorts of possibilities, gonna start hitting up open mics soon! gotta do some writing first. thanks!!!

[@FrickFoster]

Did you do it?

[@t10events11]

"It does not look attractive on my back" is the winner! Thanks for this video!

[@rauldeluna1]

This is gold Jerry!

[@rg3412]

Brilliant material! I actively looked for something like this and I struggled to find anything near that good. It is very useful even you don’t hit the mic. Business presentations, defusing arguments in the workplace or at home, weddings, etc. All can use some comedy to great effect!

[@venitocrouch00]

Great basic comedy wisdom that a help a person become a comic

[@easyflowing]

The exercises at the end are gold!!! Which bars in NYC are better for starting up?

[@playboy8198]

Mclarens

[@garyanswernet]

I watched this video the night before I made my professional debut (opening for the incredible Julia Scotti). It helped me tighten up my work. Thank you

[@MarshallChiles]

thanks for the kind words

[@garyanswernet]

Marshall Chiles kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4qrgHZspLVnrbc

[@alexrottlaender3891]

If Amy Schumer is so honest then why did she steal jokes?

[@ronniedarko8830]

have you never heard the saying "honesty among thieves", duh

[@peytonbell5637]

Ronnie Darko that bitch just sucks!

[@calatwork7308]

@@ronniedarko8830 I feel like im about to get wooshed, but, isn't it 'honour among thieves'?

[@ronniedarko8830]

@@calatwork7308 fuck it, im high, you're prolly right

[@CanadianMGTOW]

.. and a feminazi to boot.

[@HuubVlogs]

Thank you for making this awesome summary! Very helpful!

[@thegreathawk2244]

I'm glad everyone liked this video I worked very hard on it

[@vanpossible]

Your video and insights are just so on point and lovely. Thank you 😊

[@TanachSpot]

Starting this year as stsnd up comedian ive always wanted to do this exited

[@lucemclark8492]

I’m having a debut tomorrow in Concord, Ca at The Office ~ this video is most valued. Many thanks!!

[@maustin1965]

Great video. I got a lot out of it. Thanks for posting.

[@MikesOrganicVideos]

This is really great. Excellent information very well articulated. After writing Comedy sort of for five years, I finally did my first Open Mic in November of last year and I’ve been doing one or two a month since. No I have to do a lot more and have to step up the amount of time I’m writing, but now I also know how to direct my energy a lot better. Thank you very much for this. New subscriber.

[@saurabhtells]

Thanks a lot for the course sir.....It is really helpful for someone wanting to be more funny.

[@debjanisengupta2007]

Thanks a ton. I am writing a stand-up comedy for a school show. I am a drama teacher

[@shadrachjbalot847]

I've always wanted to try standup, the directions on how to write comedy are awesome. Thank you, now I just have to work up the nerve to get in front of people.

[@brunomillalaf8553]

Shadrach JBalot DO IT

[@kimberlylovelady6648]

Awesome video!! I’m learning to write and this video helped me open my mind. Thank you

[@klyons217]

Fantastic. This got me to the next level. Instead of just randomly coming up with jokes, now I have a system I can use that literally generates jokes, on topic. Thank you for this excellent video!

[@samjudge1240]

1. comedy is about surprise: true 2. humour is elements of truth: true 3. Amy Schumer is funny: .............

[@donnell760]

13:19 "...Amy Schumer is one of the best comedians out there today..." Absolutely hilarious!

[@spc4brownie]

After hours of Diaz, Stanhope, Burr, Hart back to back I've found myself here. If it wasn't for that brownie I ate earlier I wouldn't have found this.

[@daffertube]

2016 "Amy Schumer is one of the best and biggest comedians today" 2022 Amy Schumer is the most vilified comedian of all time

[@calliph]

Wow this is fantastic. Thank you! I was wondering when you know it's time to try your first open mic? I have a fear of public speaking and get really nervous during it. Do I just power through it or is there some other way to ease myself in that doesn't involve performing in front of friends, which sounds awful for so many reasons.

[@laughingskulltv6909]

That is good advice... do your set 10 times by yourself, then go get on stage. Believe me, I was soooo scared to get on stage that it took me literally years to finally do it. Look at getting that first stage time as ripping off a band-aid. Just count to three and walk on stage.

[@brunomillalaf8553]

Practice practice practice in front of the mirror and then get on stage asap

[@themusicactor]

This was a great presentation.. thank you very helpful.

[@triplucid3563]

Right On! Thanks for sharing Compadre!

[@joeymanson2222]

Comedy is Life. Or is my life a Comedy? Either way I just did my first open mic several weeks ago at Helium Comedy Club Portland Oregon. I had been wanting to it foe years and shortly after i relocated here from Los Angeles I met a few ladies. Who I opened my big mouth and the challenge was accepted. I threw out almost all of my material that morning and wrote an entire 5 min act as we were waiting to be selected. It wasn't flawless, I had only 3 mins. One of my jokes fell flat but I rebounded back with two more comments about the joke and won them back.. my big mistake was when.the red light came on i kinda froze and forgot my Closer. I'm gonna polish up that same set and do it again soon. Anf I can't wait. Thanks for the great video. "Subscribed" cheers

[@LuganMan26]

Really helpful video. Loved your lessons at the ending in particular, these gave you physical steps to follow through on after the video to improve your writing.

[@XoqueKultural]

This is so helpful! Thank you! This unknown known thing blew my mind

[@TruthWizardTemplar7]

God bless you I’m very greatful for the advice

[@Latigo]

That was amazingly helpful! Thanks.

[@xenimus86]

A lot of nuggets here! Thank you! :)

[@deangulberry1876]

Rule number 1 “don’t steal” now here’s a quote from Johnny Carson 😂😂

[@jamescrump8946]

Welp, I'm 5 years late to the viewing party but... that was some excellent content. Thank you.

[@SaschaRissling]

This was the most helpful piece of content i have got so far on the subject. Thanks!! Any books you can recommend?

[@4jayharris]

I'm a new comedian and I think this is great advice. Very helpful.

[@Justadudeman22]

This is gold dude . Thank you for this . You are a good man :)

[@kylekennedy2527]

I saw a post from BBC Americas facebook page advertising a Monty Python marathon. It made a reference to the Ministry of Silly Walks bit, and I couldn't help myself. I commented "I have ataxia. Every day is a silly walk day to me.". Honestly I was surprised by how many of us ataxics are fans of BBC America.

[@browsergameshub]

This was pure gold! Thank you so much for making this information freely available. So many invaluable exercises that I can get working on right away. Thank you!!

[@monty3854]

Ironically, I actually chuckled out loud when he said "salmon fish"

[@Omoiyari23]

Woah this is some serious stuff i gotta come back and take notes.

[@jaybabin-o2421]

Thank you so much for this!

[@greenspringvalley]

Giving 100% takes hard work, dedication, and knowing how to salmon fish.

[@vlnow]

Good video. I'm gunna learn to write jokes during this lockdown, then take the comedy world by storm.

[@flake4733]

Thank you for sharing this. I've watched this video numerous times!!! And had the pleasure of performing at your club, great atmosphere and audience!!! Could you elaborate on "Literal" type of jokes? The example you used I don't understand.

[@humorwins854]

hmmm... what is the line you are questioning? I will try to clarify. And thanks for the kind words.

[@P0ETICsin]

Why do people apologize when ever they say puns in regular conversations ? I don't consider them funny at all but very clever to come off the mind like that

[@wadafik]

Most of the tips laid out here actually can be applied in real life too. Thanks!

[@elinog8964]

Nice! Thank you! Very good advice! 🎤