Creating new jokes from scratch is one of the hardest parts of stand-up comedy. Our brains are hardwired for repetition, patterns, and habits. If I ask you to think of a number, colour or city, it’s likely that your answers are related to past experiences – a limiter to comedy This is where random words can help. Using a random …
Starting out in stand-up comedy in Australia is tough. Open mic gigs are in the evenings, often on a weekday, and the audience is usually comprised of other comedians with zero interest in your gags. It’s therefore important to learn the ropes, and the mistakes, as soon as possible so you can move up the ranks quickly, and start getting …
Since January 2021, stand-up comedy students at the School of Hard Knock Knocks will each receive a photography package as part of the standard comedy course. Photographer and former graduate of the School of Hard Knock Knocks, Adam Sparnon, has been shooting headshots and body shot photos at each course which are vital for comedy posters, particularly with the comedy …
“YES, AND…” is the rule-of-thumb response in improv comedy. It’s also a great way to lead. The ‘yes’ immediately encourages the acceptance of the contributions added by others, rather than shutting down the views of others, and the ‘and’ opens the contribution for further positive refinement. The words ‘no’ and ‘but’ are the polar opposites. Listening to others is a valuable leadership skill. Comedy can …
(Updated 19 September, 2022) Practice is essential to a stand-up comedy career. Sure, the Hard Knock Knocks stand-up comedy course will allow you to hit the ground running, but even we acknowledge that it’s still no substitute for getting up on stage, trialling your material, and bombing – often. Here’s a regularly updated list of open mic comedy rooms in …
(Updated November 24, 2024) Adelaide has a small number of open mic comedy rooms, but new rooms open up regularly, and newbies are strutting the boards weekly. Here’s a current list, which also includes those that are curated: MONDAYS TUESDAYS WEDNESDAYS THURSDAYS FRIDAYS SATURDAYS SUNDAYS If you’re interested in becoming a Hard Knock Knocks graduate, be sure to join our …
Can you teach someone how to be funny? Theoretically, yes. The funny bone is not a womb. It’s not present in some people, but not in others. However, there is a definite pre-existing condition that gives a clear indication, like height for a jockey or basketballer, that a career in comedy is more likely. So what is that condition that …
A comedian could kill on one night, but bomb on another, with the only difference being the audience. Conducting an AUDIENCE analysis, ahead of your gig, is one way you can increase the chance that you will kill in stand-up comedy. Here’s the eight letters of the acronym explained: Attentiveness Comedians are not always the centre of attention. Sometimes it’s …
The Hard Knock Knocks comedy school is a stand-up comedy school. Of course it is! The Lord of the Fries makes great, well, fries. And Splashdown is in fact a real portable toilet rental service – made famous by actor Shane Jacobson’s movie, Kenny. These are some of Australia’s funniest business names. These names also stick in our minds. Humour …
