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Jim Richardson teaches through group Internet video conferencing, webcam-to-webcams.

Lessons 1-4: “Fundamentals of Stand-Up Comedy”

June 2013 section: Monday nights, 6-9 pm PST, June 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2013 with registration deadline: Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Or:

July 2013 section: Monday nights, 6-9 pm PST, July 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2013 with registration deadline: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Or:

August 2013 section: Monday nights, 6-9 pm PST, August 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2013 with registration deadline: Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Or:

September 2013 section: Monday nights, 6-9 pm PST, September 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2013 with registration deadline: Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Or:
At customized dates and times, in-person or via live webcam video conferencing. Details upon request.


Lessons 5-8: “Intermediate Techniques for Writing and Performing”
TBA section: scheduled at mutually convenient dates and times between Jim and his Lesson 1-4 graduates, register here.
Yes: you can take Lessons 1-8 in the same month.

The Fundamentals of Stand-Up Comedy, Lesson block 1-4:


Introduction:
These first 4 of my 35 lessons get you off on the right foot.
Both beginning stand-up comics looking for a leg up and seasoned professionals wanting to get-back-to-basics: begin at the beginning. . . . more info.

1) How to Tell a Joke on a Stand-Up Comedy Stage, During a Speech and in the Work Place, 3 hours
•Nuts and bolts of all joke-telling.
•Jokes, effectively delivered, go a long way to reduce tensions and further communications between a stand-up comic and his audience.
•The same principle applies off--stage to effective interactions at any business between the management, staff and clients.
Or any relationship between friends and family members, teacher and student, player and coach, etc. ...more info.

2) How to Write a Joke: the 7 basic joke forms, 3 hours
•Workshop contains a system for writing jokes that works for you every day.
•Learn the seven basic joke forms. ...more info.

3) Narrative Character: your persona, 3 hours
•How to naturally exploit your humorous side. ...more info.

4) Editing Your Comedy or Serious Speech into an Act, 3 hours
Both the serious and funny parts of your speech need to be tightly edited, just like a top-flight stand-up comedy routine:
•Ordering bits within the comedy act or speech for greater audience response: get bigger laughs and longer applause!
•Number and quality of laughs needed in stand-up comedy vs. in a speech.
•The different standards between starting out with your "little league" local club scene and clearly understanding the very different goals required by "major league" national TV shows.
•Polishing: punch it up, or edit out! ...more info.

Lesson 1-4 fees and registration.
Who should take this workshop—Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced:
Stand-up comics, business keynote speakers, politicians, ventriloquists and other solo acts,
at any level in your career.
Testimonials

Who:
Jim Richardson, Comedy Coach & Co-Writer since 1977.
•Jim taught the first Stand-Up Comedy class in the United States of America for credit at a University in 1980.
•Jim's students and Clients have gone on to win the major comedy contests and many, many TV Emmys.

Jim can also help you with your specific act through his one-on-one coaching and co-writing.

What:
Jim strives to teach you as many core Comedy Writing & Performing Techniques as possible.
You will participate several times at every session.

Why:
Everyone can always improve.

Where:
Anywhere that you can get Internet access.

How:
You will attend lecture/demonstrations, watch video clips and complete interactive exercises through your computer's, smart phone's or tablet's web cam--here is what to look for:

You can learn online from the comfort of your own home or office.

Most computers sold in the past few years come with a built in Audio/Video webcam:
look for a pinhole in the top of your smart phone, tablet (iPad, etc.), Windows PC or Apple computer monitor.
(See above photos for example built-in webcam solutions: an Android phone, iPad, Windows PC computer monitor, and two iPhones.)
Note: If you have an older computer, USB webcams are available at very low cost for both Windows PC and Apple computers.
(See above photo of a Microsoft example external webcam solution.)

When:
Monday nights, 6-9 pm PST or at custom scheduled times.

See what Jim's successful
Students and Clients
Have to say:

Feldo and guys he has written for: Miller, Maher, Stewart.
David Feldman
Stand-Up Comic,
Winner of multiple National TV Emmys
“It's about a lot more than just writing jokes. Jim also helps you choreograph them.
He's what you want: not just a coach, but a scholar and an historian. Someone who really knows the subject!”

— DAVID FELDMAN, comedian

David won TV Emmys since 1995 on writing staff, and co-producer for HBO's “Dennis Miller Show.”

In 2007, David joined writing staff of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
Plus, he also writes for HBO's “Real Time With Bill Maher.”
David was a writer for the popular ABC sitcom “Roseanne,” HBO's “Not Necessarily the News,” and the 2002 & 2003 Emmys.

David has also made numerous stand-up comedy appearances on: “Late Night with Conan O'Brien,”“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” starring “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David, Comedy Central where David had his one-man show, Showtime, VH1, and until he got way too old, MTV.


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Taylor Mason behind mic stand in front of the traditional comedy basement brick wall.
Taylor Mason
Stand-Up Comic and ventriloquist
Star of his own national TV show and movie

“Jim Richardson's comedy class helped me prepare and execute a comedy routine in the comedy division of Ed McMahon's 'Star Search' TV Show that won the $100,000 grand prize.

4-8-12:
"I can tell you this: Richardson has boiled the elements of stand-up/live presentation down to the most critical and essential. His mentorship is spot-on-point.
However, there is a commitment that has to be made. Specifically, you'll have to put in the time and adhere to his instruction. After that, it's perseverance and will."

— TAYLOR MASON, comedian, musician and ventriloquist


TV:
10 times on NBC-TV's “The Today Show.”
Was on-the-air network host for NBC-TV's “America's Talking,” the first all-talk cable network!
Now has his own national TV show, “Taylor's Attic,”
plus he appears in the motion picture, “Thou Shalt Laugh”!


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Ben Bissel laughs with the audience, and waves.
Dr. Ben Bissel
Keynote speaker at $10,000 per speech for his 2-hour program:
One of the nation's leading witty storytellers,
Ben has received standing ovations from
Harvard University to Fortune 500 companies.
Plus, he has received Congressional recognition for his work with
government agencies and departments.
1990:
“My improvement is dramatic. Sharper timing has added power and energy to my presentations
which I had already felt were at their peak.”


Updated Feb. 2009:
“After I attended your helpful and fun seminar, things kept getting better for me. About three years ago, I made that goal of $10,000 a program (two hours), and reached my retirement early.

“I really went back often to my notes from both your seminar and our long-distance coaching sessions. I think it was the turning point for me.
Thanks a million!”

— DR. BEN BISSEL, business keynote speaker

National Speakers Association, national management consultant.
W
orks with NASA, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, universities of North Carolina, Richmond and Virginia.

Back to top.
Both professional comics and business keynote speakers continue to blame Jim
for guiding them through turning points in their career.
More quotes



Page last updated: Sunday, May 5, 2013, 11:03 am PST.
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Home | Video Previews & Tips | Coaching & Co-Writing | About Us | Workshop Lessons 1-35: Descriptions | Register: Lessons 1-4 | Register: Lessons 5-8 | FAQ | Contact