Episode 11: Neil Sinclair

What does it feel like to win the raw comedy competition?

Every year, about 1 in

800 people can actually answer that question.

In 2008, it was neil Sinclair.

And since then, it seems as though he’s not a man who rests on his laurels either.

He went on to do the comedy zone the year after, and in 2010 he’s got a really cool format in the

four minute warning.

Neil has high hopes for his career and he’s got a vehicle that works: His ideas are unique, his

demeanour is lovable, and his career seems to be putting him on the path to becoming a household name.

 

Chapter 1: On winning Raw comedy 2008… (00:52)

Chapter 2: On getting started… (07:34)

Chapter 3: On handling hecklers… (13:10)

Chapter 4: On relating to the audience… (18:23)

Chapter 5: On Edinburgh… (22:45)

Chapter 6: On having a reputation to uphold… (29:17)

Chapter 7:   On the four minute warning… (31:59)

Episode 10: Craig McLeod

Episode 9: Jaymie Wilson

Episode 8: Jason Chatfield

Episode 7: Simon Palomares

Chapter 1: On the Master class... (1:00)

Chapter 2: On making comedy pay... (8:53)

Chapter 3: On the study of genius... (16:56)

Chapter 4: On good venues... (21:37)

Chapter 5: On producing and branding... (24:23) 

Chapter 6: On writing... (31:34)

Chapter 7: On goals for established comedians... (36:29)

Running time (46:56)

Episode 6: Dan Brader

I've always thought that all you need to run a comedy room is a mic, a stand and a couple of milk crates; and I'd be right. I mean, I've seen rooms run with less. But to run a room as successful as Deathstar Canteen, you need someone who actually gives a shit about local talent. Dan Brader is one of those guys. Coming off his successful fringe show titled, 'He's some sort of bloody social commentator' I got to talk to this Perth import who's making waves in the Melbourne scene.

- Chapter 1: On Deathstar Canteen... 00:42

- Chapter 2: On room management... 06:31

- Chapter 3: On 'Commercially viable comedian'... 09:13

- Chapter 4: On reaching his audience... 14:27

- Chapter 5: On evolving as a comic... 18:38

- Chapter 6: On methods of writing... 22:20

- Chapter 7: On bad gigs... 27:51

 

Episode 5: Simon Brodie

Picture this: You're at a pub. You see a sign that reads, "Bogan Bingo" and you think, "Here's trouble"...

You turn the corner and you see Simon Brodie sporting a blonde mullet and a snug wife beater. And he's downing a coopers

like there's no tomorrow.

You might reach some early conclusions about this guy, but the fact is, Simon taught me a lot about comedy in this extended

interview. I now pass him on to you...

- Chapter 1: On preparing for a gig... (00:40)

- Chapter 2: On Greenfaces... (06:30)

- Chapter 3: On the comedy evaluator pro... (07:52)

- Chapter 3b: On Greenfaces again... (11:07)

- Chapter 4: On Raw comedy... (12:45)

- Chapter 5: On the rhythm of jokes... (17:35)

- Chapter 6: On Simon's philosophy of comedy... (19:45)

- Chapter 7: On making it about them... (23:25)

- Chapter 8: On Bill Hicks... (26:05)

- Chapter 9: On Dave Tulk... (31:05)

- Chapter 10: On Fitzroyalty... (36:32)

- Chapter 11: On continually improving... (39:39)

- Thanks to Simon Brodie...

Total running time: (46:51)

Episode 4: Rick Mitchell

Chances are, you've heard about Rick Mitchell's humour before you've seen him actually perform live.

I personally, fall into this category, and I feel that it's because of this that I have an advantage. The

advantage is, of course, that I get to speak to Rick Mitchell: the man, rather that Rick Mitchell: the comic.

Picking the brains of such a young upstart was going to be pretty straight forward. At least I thought. But I've got to say,

I was in for a pleasant surprise...

- Chapter 1: Introducing Rick Mitchell 00:48

- Chapter 2: On shock comedy... 02:07

- Chapter 3: On adrenaline... 05:17

- Chapter 4: On fleshing out material... 08:00

- Chapter 5: On edgy material... 09:16

- Chapter 6: On 'no go' zones... 13:41

- Chapter 7: On holding onto material... 22:28

- Chapter 8: On self deprication... 25:25

- Chapter 9: On quitting... 27:20

- Thanks to Rick Mitchell.

Episode 3: Michael Connell

Here is what we cover in our interview with Michael:

- Chapter 1: Introducing Michael Connell

- Chapter 2: On not categorising comedy styles 1:44

- Chapter 3: On work ethic 6:12

- Chapter 4: On writing new material 10:35

- Chapter 5: On editing your work down 18:17

- Chapter 6: On segways 22:35

- Chapter 7: On being serious about comedy 25:49

- Chapter 8: On comedy as an art... not a science 30:08

- Chapter 9: On being real on stage 31:58

Episode 1: JJ Mclean

Topics mentioned in the interview with JJ:

* Chapter 1: Introducing JJ Mclean 00:38
* Chapter 2: On the five person guest list at the comics lounge 04:30
* Chapter 3: On impulse during performing 10:18
* Chapter 4: On heckling... and rolling with it 16:00
* Chapter 5: On knowing your material 19:38
* Chapter 6: On writing style 23:50
* Chapter 7: On constantly improving 28:32

Episode 2: Marion Slatter

Topics covered with Marion:

- Stage identity: on being yourself on stage

- Advice she was given on dealing with hecklers

- On giving yourself permission to screw up

- On Cliques and how to get past or through them

- On Fortnightly fools at the Rice Queen

- On her first gig in Raw Comedy

- On her goals for the future.

Unabridged running time: 1h:58m

Abridged running time: 0h:42m

The Questions

These are some of the questions that I came up with and will be asking.

At the rate we've been going, I only get to ask about 5 to 10 questions on the list. 

Most of the time, the conversation takes its own course.

If you would like to have your say in the questions that I ask certain comedians, please list the questions you'd like and to which comedian you'd like them to be directed to.

Comedicate presents: The Comedian Talks, by Beau Fitzpatrick

1.     What type of comedy do you do? How do you classify your sense of humour?

2.     What are your influences?

3.     When did you get started? How did you get started?

4.     How do you come up with new material? What is your process of writing and generating new material?

5.     Do you find it hard to write new material?

6.     Do you have any anxieties about comedy?

7.     What is frustrating you about the comedy scene at the moment?

8.     What is giving you a lot of happiness about Melbourne Comedy at the moment?

9.     If I was to divide comedians into three groups: Circuit comedians, Festival comedians and corporate comedian. Do you think that’s a fair way to divvy up comedians?

10. How is failure measured? Reviews, audience reaction, personal expectations, reliance on old material?

11. Do you feel uncomfortable about keeping your material in circulation for too long? How long is too long?

12. What is a successful comedian?

13. Developing your own style? Who are your grand influences and do you have any local influences?

14. Do you consider comedy a passion? A hobby? A job? If so, does it interfere with other facets of life? Eg: family or work?

15. How do you feel about stepping on a stage?

16. Does comedy stop for you? Is there a time where you allocate for comedy? Can you switch it on and off? Or do you consider yourself a comedian every day?

17. Do you think there should be the equivalent of the funny police? Or do reviewers do a good enough job?

18. If no one laughs, is it still funny?

19. Do you ever work with other comics to generate material?

20. How can you tell how a good script will turn out well on stage?

21. What’s more important/ what takes priority in your writing? the premise, the wording, or the punchline?

22. How do you collect ideas?

23. What stimulates your creativity? Do you have a muse?

24. How do relate to other comedians?

25. Whats more important? To make people think or to make them laugh?

26. What do you want your ideal audience to be like? Who are they? What age are they?  Where are they from? What are their lives about? Who do you want your audience to be?

27. What are your goals in comedy? Where do you see yourself going with it in the next five years?

28. Are your current efforts in comedy in line with your ambitions for those next five years?

29. What would your advice be for the up and coming comedians?

30. What would your advice be for the comedians who are above you?

31. Have you ever considered getting out of comedy? If so, why?

32. Are there comedians in the industry which piss you off? If so, what happened?

33. Lets talk about lifted material.

34. What do you think about some of the comedy rooms in Melbourne?

35. Do you travel abroad for comedy?

36. Do you do festival shows? If so, what have you done?

37. Will you ever win a barry award? Why, why not?

38. Where are your favourite rooms to perform at? What are the hubs of comedy in Melbourne?

39. What age and social strata to you pitch to?

40. If you were given the option to do one or the other, what would you take? Writing or performing?

41. As it stands, what is your greatest strength? Writing or performing?

42. Comedy has many outlets. Have you considered any other form of comedy other than stand up? How about sketch or radio or TV or newspapers?

43. Do you relate to yourself as funny?

44. When did you discover you had a talent for making people laugh?

45.  Who are some great people in the comedy scene for you in terms of mentors?

46.  How much does your personal life influence your material?

47. Have you ever been heckled?

48. How does your mood influence your performance?

49.  What comedy do you watch? What do you love?

50.  Do you have any promotional materials? Websites and such that people can follow you on?

51. Is your material palatable to the masses?

52. Where do you stand on “edgy” material or foul language?

53. What do you consider to be “no go zones” in comedy?

54. Are some topics just not funny?

55.  Can your material conflict with your sense of humour? Do you write because it gives you a result or because it reflects your sense of humour?

56.  If you had two punters talking about you, what would you want them to say about you and your comedy?

57. Is looking good important to your comedy and comedy in general? Looking good in the physical sense and in how your personality is perceived?

58.  How important is being likeable on stage?

59.  What is your golden rule?

60. What is your philosophy in comedy?

             

Welcome to "The Comedian Talks".

This is a weekly podcast to display the talent and passion of the Melbourne comedy scene.

I am looking to interview all manner of talent from performers, to writers, to room managers, producers, directors and mentors of comedians from around Australia.

My first interview was with JJ Mclean on 18-8-09 and I had a great time talking with him about all manner of things.

The interview ran in excess of two hours and I am currently in the process of editing a shorter version and making the two versions available on this site.

As soon as I figure out how to make it accessible on this site, but for all intensive purposes, I can imagine the condensed version will make an appearance on itunes. watch this space.

Beau Fitzpatrick