Comedians are entertainers or performers that specialize in making people laugh. Professional comedians make a living by performing on stage, in movies, or television programs. Comedians are the ones telling jokes or funny stories and also doing funny things for the amusement of the audience. Comedians have the talent to make audiences burst into laughter.
Education
There are no specific educational requirements needed to become a comedian as long as you can make people laugh. Although there are no academic qualifications required to become a comedian, it is good to have at least a high school diploma. Taking acting classes or public speaking classes can make you a better performer because part of being a successful comedian is great confidence on stage.
Duties and Responsibilities
The ultimate goal of a comedian is to make people laugh. Comedians must have their own specific or personal style and may use techniques or props like puppetry, music, or anything that will amuse the audience. Some comedians may do impersonations too. Comic sense and timing are the best assets of a comedian. Although it is something that you can practice and improve, it is said that a genuine comedian is born with such a gift.
Comedic skills are developed through practice, and a little background in drama and stage performance can come in handy. Comedians should be able to deal with a wide variety of audiences. Tours are another important part of this profession. Many comedians travel frequently to perform in different comedy clubs around the country. Persistence, determination, and love for the job are some of the key factors in this particular profession.
Types of Comedians
There are many types of comedians and they have different specialties. A Slapstick comedian is someone who does silly things just to make his audience laugh. Slap stick comedy is used in silent or in scenes where no audio is used. Charlie Chaplin and Jerry Lewis were two of the most popular slapstick comedians that amused millions of viewers in their time.
A Stand-up comedian is someone who tells jokes and silly stories to his audiences to make them laugh. Most stand-up comedians do stand-up comedy in comedy bars, nightclubs, concert halls, or private parties.
A Burlesque comedian is someone who involves scorning any basic style of speech or even writing. Burlesque is a dramatic amusement of wide and parodic comedy, which usually involves comic satire. It is said to have derived from the Italian Commedia dell’arte.
Television comedians are very popular on television or often called “sitcoms”. The word “sitcom” is a short way of saying situational comedy. Comedians on sitcoms do silly or funny things to amuse or make their audience laugh.
Average Compensation
A comedian’s salary would depend on their desire to travel, make connections, and to work hard. Average comedian salary can vary greatly due to industry, location, company, experience and benefits. New comedians make little money for they do not have a wide fan base yet, but successful comedians have the potentials to make millions.
