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I dont agree that anyone could be a stand-up comic or performer. Just because it requires practice like sports, doesn't mean anyone will gradually become better at it. I think that its a skill that some people have, and don't have. I think that improvisational comedy is more of something that just comes to you. Some people have the ability to come up with things spontaneously, and others try hard and just cant get it.
ReplyDeleteI feel that if improvisational comedy is governed by rules and requires practice like any other sport,that not anyone can be a stand-up comic or performer because i feel you have to have a certain type of personality and way about you. It is something that you can not practice it is just in you. I feel some people will always naturally be better at thinking on their toes and more adept at unleashing spontaneity because again I still feel that everyone's brain is different and reacts differently and not everyone can think of things as quickly as other people.
ReplyDeleteI think that certain people are naturally better at thinking on their toes and as a result become stand-up comics or performers. I do not think that practicing will allow you to think quicker on your toes because people are just born with the instincts to say things that are funny quickly. For example, no matter how much I practice to become a stand-up comic, I was not born with the creative skills that would help me think faster on my toes. Depending on the traits that make you who you are, some skills will come natural to you and others are difficult to teach. Therefore, no matter how much you practice, certain abilities are just inborn and natural to some people and not others.
ReplyDeleteI think the skills that are required to be a stand-up comic come naturally to some people but not to everyone. These skills, like spontaneity and thinking on one's toes, are natural for some people. Some people are naturally funny and have comedic timing but not everyone can be funny. Lets compare this to basketball. Some people are able to make snap judgments based on the defense of the other team, their position on the court, and the position of others on the court, what to do with the ball. These skills can be practiced but cannot be perfected on people that were not born with these skills in the first place. Therefore, like basketball, the skills necessary to be a stand-up comic can be practiced but some people will be better than others because they were born with these skills and these skills come to them naturally.
ReplyDeleteI think that even with the rules and the required practice people some people are just better thinking on their toes then others. People who are stand-up comics have a certain way they present them selves. I don’t think everyone can be a stand up comic. I don’t think someone can train to be a stand up comic I think it is something that comes naturally to you. I think this also applies to sports, some people are naturally better at sports then others.
ReplyDeleteEven though improvisational comedy is governed by rules and requires practice like any other sport, i do not think all people could be stand-up comics or performers. As much practice that a person may put into thinking on their toes and making jokes, I believe many people do that naturally without practice or training to do so. Maybe as a practice, people look up jokes and memorize witty comments to seem as though they are "thinking on their toes". I think unleashing spontaneously is something individuals are good at and have that ability without practice or training. Compared to sports, that takes practice to get better and to improve. Some though, may be born with the ability to be good at that certain sport, just as some may be born to be witty and fun as a stand-up comedian.
ReplyDeleteJust because improvisational comedy is governed by rules and requires practice like every sport I don't think everyone has a natural ability to become a stand up comedian. Some people are naturally quick and spontaneous thinkers with jokes and good come backs in a fight as where others have to think of a joke to seem funny or look dumb when they don't have something else to say. The skills of thinking on your toes and having a good come back doesn't involve practice it involves who you naturally are. Some people are born to be funny and lash out naturally because of their character as where others aren't like that.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone can be a stand up comedian. It does take practice like any other sport does, but many people that are really good comedians can think of funny, clever things off the top of their heads. I have a friend who is terrible at sports but he is amazing at comedy and is really funny. He has a special gift for it and I think that's the same thing as having a special gift for football or any other sport.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are people who are capable of being spontaneous and witty, I still believe that long hours of preparation is required in order to be a successful comedian. For example, even though Kevin Hart possesses the qualities of a comedian, such as: charisma and creativity; he still needs to put in a lot of thought into his performance in order to please the crowd. We could also compare this to a school presentation. You could be the best public speaker, but if you don't know the facts then it will seem unprepared and you will have no evidence to your claims. There is also the other side of the spectrum, where there are people who are not adept at unleashing spontaneity, like me. If I were to become a comedian, it would take me weeks or even months to come up with a hilarious joke. Overall, it doesn't matter who you are. If you're an average joe or are clever enough to come up with the right jokes, preparation and practice is needed.
ReplyDeleteAgain we see the concept of nature versus nurture. I personally believe that being a comedian requires a certain personality. Someone who is more reserved and shy will be less likely to succeed in stand-up comedy when compared to someone who is confident and out going. Although making jokes can be practiced, one is less likely to alter their personality to fit their job. Thinking on your toes is not easy to come by. Practicing that takes a lot of time and effort. In this case, i would have to say that stand-up comedy is more nurtured than being in one's nature.
ReplyDeleteStand-up comics have a certain finesse that differentiates themselves from other individuals. Every person is capable of being funny, but certain people, however, were born with the ability to improvise and unleash their personality better than others. A person can in fact practice and memorize jokes for years, but cannot prepare how their audience will respond to their humor. For an example, a comedian that was born with the ability to think quick on his or her toes can completely change the mood of a crowd from one joke. In other words, if a stand up comic can sense that their audience is not enjoying his or her jokes, he or she can easily sway their attitude with a quick and well liked joke or story.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think that anyone can be taught to think on their toes. However, I do believe that not everyone can be a stand-up comedian. You may be able to teach some to think on their toes, but you cannot teach someone to be funny. Even if someone practiced being funny, their view of funny might vary from the audiences perspective. A good stand-up comedian learns to talk to their audience, and I think that is something that cannot be taught, no matter how many hours of practice take place.
ReplyDeleteI believe that certain people will always be naturally better at thinking on their toes. Yes, it can be true that people can improve their ability to think on their toes but I think it all comes down to that natural ability. It can be argued that through nurture someone can gain all of the skills that a stand-up comedian has, but that ability to quickly come up with a joke or comeback will not be there. Another thing that can impact a person's ability to think on their toes is their personality and confidence in themselves. A person that has confidence will be able to think on their toes much better than someone that is unsure of themselves.
ReplyDeleteI believe that not everyone can be a stand-up comic. Some people are naturally witty or funny but not everyone has that spark in them. Certain people are better at thinking on their toes and more comfortable with being spontaneous. People can’t practice being spontaneously you have to have it in you. There are different characteristics that make us who we are. No matter how much we try and practice, certain abilities are just natural to some people and not to others. With a sport you have to practice at it in order to build up your strength and ability. A good comedian is one who as the ability to pick up on things quickly and grab the audiences’ attention in the moment.
ReplyDeleteI believe that not every single person can be a stand-up comic or perform. Like sports it takes time and practice. Some people are just naturally a performer but others it scares them to get up and entertain people. Other people may to like on htere feet with a blink of an eye and have an idea but others it takes time to come up with one great concept. A performer needs to grab the aduciences attention and suck them in to another universe transport them to a new glaxay.
ReplyDeleteWe all are born with abilities and talents; some more than others. There are rules and techniques for everything but they only go so far. For example, I have a sister who is 2 years older than me. The of us compete over everything and we always have. The difference is however, when it comes to things like sports, I have always been very good without much effort. Though, she would work extremely hard for the same or a lesser result. Practice doesn't make perfect, it creates an improved subject.
ReplyDeleteAs a performer, I have learned that improvisation comes naturally to some, while causing difficulty for others. Improvisation is, in a way, a talent. Thinking on your toes is a skill that, for some, can be developed. Spontaneity is also a matter of confidence, especially when performed in front of a group. I do not believe that everyone can be a stand up comedian or performer because they usually require such natural talent. Of course one can learn to think on their toes; however, I believe that an initial sign of that talent needs to first be present.
ReplyDeleteI feel like we all have a set of skills we are born with. Some people are better at following rules and procedures but other people are better at thinking on their toes and being spontaneous. Everybody is different. If improvisational comedy has specific rules and ways to do it, I feel like it could open doors for many other types of people to be improv comedians. But I also think it would close doors to people who are already good at improvisational comedy.
ReplyDeleteBeing a performer, I know that improv is a skill that you have to have a knack and a confidence for. Although the skill for this form of comedy can be developed over time, some just have a natural ability to quickly react and respond in a witty, clever manner. I believe that in time and with practice, one can achieve improvisation; however, the ones who will be truly great are the ones that had a knack for it to begin with.
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