Proposal

For my specific unit I propose to look into Stand up comedy and, more so, focus around a question such as 'What is it to be a Stand up Comic?' or 'What methods are used by Stand up comedians and how can they be applied?' By doing so I hope to produce, within a five week period, a stand up routine that I can perform either as part of a Gallery evening or within a Comedy Club. If I am able to arrange and perform within a Comedy Club, I think it will test my routine and performing abilities as well as support my research. On the other hand the Comedy Club's reaction could undermine some of my research however I still feel the specific unit will be a success for what correct research will be done as this is a new subject area and so there is potential for me to learn a lot about Stand Up.


As a starting point for my specific unit and routine, I plan to use and exaggerate stories of my life including relatable relationships such as parents siblings and current and ex-partners in my final routine, which is a technique I think is used by comedian Lee Evans very often throughout his live shows. I also hope to use, effectively and appropriately, recent stories from the news as done effectively by Russell Howard who also uses media in every episode of 'Russel Howard's Good News'. Frankie Boyle is a comedian who has also heavily influenced my decision to choose Stand Up as my Specific Unit; he is a Comedian who also uses stories from the news as comedy material however is also very controversial, and in many cases offensive. By researching these comedians and their techniques I hope to answer 'What is it to be a Stand up Comic?'


When researching, the resources I will use will mostly be the internet, through my phone or computers, and search engines however I may also make observations on performances when watching the Television or on demand on Netflix. On the first week of the process, I will attend a lecture given by my mentor on Stand Up. During week three of the process, if I am able to perform at a Comedy Club, I hope to visit the venue for research and watch some other amateur comedians.


Week One -Attend Lecture on Stand Up Comedy
                    -Begin Research on Comedians, techniques and beliefs and 'What is it to be a                              Stand up Comic?'


Week Two -Decide on Focus on a set of beliefs and begin to develop a routine
                    -Continue research


Week Three-Show routine to family and friends and gather feedback for improvement and to                            some extent, back up research
                     -Finalise research


Week Four -Finalise routine




Week Five -Perform Routine as part of a Gallery evening or within a Comedy Club
                    -Evaluation through Viva



My Specific Unit's successfulness will not be measured by the audience's reactions to my final routine but by how far the routine complys to my research, and hopefully answer, of 'What is it to be a Stand up Comic?' However the audience's reaction will give me an indication of whether or not people agree with my views. For these two reasons, I plan to record my final performance. At the end of the process I shall evaluate my work through a Viva.