Chris, Brighton: Stuck in a Rut and What He Did About It

May 7 / Alfie Noakes
A year and a half in. Gigging regularly. And completely stuck.
Chris knew what the problem was. He just was not sure what to do about it. He had seen what comedy courses could offer and was not convinced. He had family commitments that made in-person training difficult. And he was, by his own admission, a little afraid.
Chris did the first part boldly. He took a step, anyway. Right towards Stepping Forward in Stand-Up Comedy.
What he says about what happened to him as a result of the course is not what most people expect to hear. He does not talk about technique in the way you might anticipate. He talks about something more fundamental than that, and he lands on a word near the end of the video that is hard to argue with.
Watch it below.

Chris mentions specifically that he loved the way the course frames its material. That framing is not accidental. The connection between how films are constructed and how stand-up is built is explored in depth in How Film-Making Techniques Make You a Funnier Comedian, which covers the thinking behind the approach Chris responded to. The Cinematic System of Stand-Up Comedy. Where every Comedian is their own Producer, Director, Writer and Leading Role. Of course, soon enough there will be Reviewers, Competitions and Agents to handle.

If you are at a similar stage to where Chris was, Your Comedy Investments is a fine blend of making the most of time, money and getting laughs.

It's worth reading before you commit to anything. It puts the time and money you spend on your comedy into a framework that makes the decision clearer. And if you'd like a glance at a map of where you might currently sit on the circuit and where the road ahead leads, Stand-Up Comedy Writing Tips for New Comedians covers the writing side of that journey in practical terms.

The video below is a sample taken directly from Stepping Forward in Stand-Up Comedy and covers one of the areas Chris found most useful.

Stepping Forward in Stand-Up Comedy is the online masterclass for experienced comedians who want to push further and faster.

People also ask

Who is Stepping Forward in Stand-Up Comedy designed for?
It is designed for comedians who are already performing regularly but feel they have hit a ceiling. If you have been gigging for a year or more and feel your comedy is not developing the way it should, this is the course that addresses that directly. It is not for beginners. It picks up where the basics leave off.

What makes the Stepping Forward course different from other stand-up comedy courses?
The course uses a cinematic framework to teach stand-up structure, which many comedians find makes complex ideas immediately digestible. Chris specifically mentions the filmic framing as one of the things that made the material click for him. The course covers material development, performance technique, writing and the practical mechanics of building a stronger act.

Can I take a stand-up comedy course if I have family commitments and limited time?
Yes. Both Stepping Forward in Stand-Up Comedy and the other We Are Funny Project courses are entirely self-paced and online. You work through the video sessions when it suits you, pausing and returning as needed. Chris chose the online format precisely because of his family commitments and found it worked well for him.

How do I know if I am ready for an advanced stand-up comedy course?
If you have been performing for at least a year, have a sense of your material and your stage persona, but feel stuck or plateaued, you are likely ready. The course does not require a specific gig count but it rewards comedians who already have enough experience to apply what they learn immediately on stage.

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Online classes for comedians at every level of experience

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