Last weekend I had the opportunity to perform at the Memphis Urban Laughs Comedy Festival and it stirred in me the desire to write a blog post about comedy contests and festivals.
Different comics have different opinions about festivals and contests. Should you do them? Are they a waste of money? What are good ones? What’s the benefits? These are all valid questions that i hope to answer in today’s blog post!
By the way, my initial answer is…Yes, you should do comedy contests and festivals!
But first…
What are the differences between a Contest and Festival?
There are actually many differences between a comedy contest and festival.
Typically, you pay for both but when you pay for a comedy contest you are guaranteed a spot. You pay for a comedy festival as well, but typically only a certain number of entries are accepted.
This one is probably obvious but, the comedy contest has the contest aspect of it. Typically everyone pays, and one or a few people will actually win/place which usually involves prize money. Contests are also not bad first credits, especially if you win or place.
In addition to usually one or two performance slots, festivals usually are like “work retreats” for comedians. There usually are seminars led by folks in the industry, and events designed specifically around comedians networking with each other. (Like meals!) Often times they offer other perks like free headshots. Also being accepted into a comedy festival is also a decent credit AND it’s usually considered better then a contest credit. (unless you win or place at the contest)
The Pros of entering a Comedy Contest
When you feel that you have a decent 10-15 minutes of standup comedy, it might be time to consider entering comedy contests that catch your eye. As mentioned before, it’s hard NOT to get into a comedy contest, because they usually accept everyone that pays. Which means, unlike a lot of the good opportunities in entertainment, you don’t necessarily need credits to participate.
The obvious pro of doing a comedy contest is that if you win, it adds a little clout to your name (and you might also get prize money, more opportunities, etc.) But even if you don’t win, there are plenty of positives towards performing at a comedy contest.
The Pros of a Comedy Festival
Most comedians will tell you that festivals are a bigger deal and more fun then comedy contests. It makes sense because not everyone that enters a festival will be invited to perform!
More money is usually put into comedy festivals, so essentially everything is usually a lot better. There is a better guarantee that you will be performing on a better stage with a bigger crowd. Also you’re usually guaranteed multiple performances and many festivals include multiple open mics too. (So more stage time!)
The most notable difference between a festival and contest is that comedy festivals will have seminars, panels, or workshops where usually people a bit further along in the industry then you will be answering questions or teaching on a particular topic. Especially when you’re new, I think these are INCREDIBLY important to attend. Typically the classes and workshops are done by talent scouts, agents, club owners, bookers, or more experienced comedians…so these are pretty good people to get to know and listen to!
The best advice I can give you about comedy festivals is if you get accepted to one, do your best to make it to all the classes and extra events, in addition to the times that you will be performing. Afterall, you did pay for all of these opportunities! And you can get some very valuable insight from other people in the business…and make some connections with folks that could help you get to the next step in your career!
Perks of both Festivals and Contests
A better stage/venue:
Usually comedy contests and festivals will take place at better stages then you are currently performing at, especially when you first start. For example, that comedy club you really want to get on stage at may never even look at your email when you ask to host or feature for them…but when you sign up to do their contest, you instantly have a booked gig at that club!
You can get solid video footage:
Additionally lots of contests and festivals will share with you or sell you their video footage of your set. Which means you’ll now have a tape of you on a “good” stage, performing probably your best material. Even if they don’t record it, YOU can record it and get yourself a good video that you could potentially send in to other folks to get more work and gigs.
The Comedians and People You’ll Meet
The networking that comes with comedy contests and festivals can’t be ignored. Often times you’ll meet comics from all over the country (or your region) who, like you, are committed enough to the craft that they are now putting in some money for it. A lot of the comedians you’ll meet at one contest, you’ll eventually see at another. Before you know it, these are people you’ve known for a decade from performing all over the country with. It’s a weird and awesome bond. AND, a lot of these performers book shows back home and will happily invite you to be on their show when you’re in town! Thus, even if you don’t win a contest, you could get more gigs from it.
And it’s not just comedians you’ll meet. It could be bookers, or club owners, or even more fans. Comedy is a business of relationships, and one of the biggest perks of contests and festivals will be the relationships you create.
Festivals and Contests make YOU a better comedian
Lastly, perhaps the best benefit from doing contests and festivals is that it forces you to consider “What’s my best material?” and it gives you a space and reason to refine it. When you have a “bigger then usual” show it’s a perfect reason to strive to make your material go from “Good” to “Great” and regardless of whatever happens at the festival or contest, you’re a better comedian because of it!
Some Final Tips!
Before entering a comedy contest or festival, here are some things worth considering!
- If it’s a comedy contest, don’t make WINNING, the only reason you enter…Comedy is subjective and most contests are BS when it comes to how to win…And there are way better reasons to do a comedy contest
(See the rest of my article for the better reasons!)
If it’s a festival, and you are able, look at previous year’s selected performers before you enter...This sounds mean, but sometimes when you look at who has been accepted over the years you’ll see that they all look the same….and if they don’t look like you, maybe it’s worth it to save your $20-$50 dollars
For the bigger festivals, it might be worth it to show up even if you don’t get accepted. Many festivals will still let you attend events or seminars even if you don’t get to perform…and then you can meet people and make an impression (Which may lead to more opportunities, like getting into the festival next year!)
Submit intentionally to contests and festivals. When you first start, maybe you’re okay with any stage time anywhere…but as you do this more, there is nothing wrong with being a bit more picky. I used to submit to any and all comedy contests around me, whether it was at a real venue or Dave’s backyard. Now, I typically only do contests if it will help me get into the door of a venue that I haven’t performed at that I really want to, or if it will help me rub elbows with comedians or producers I want to meet.
Keep an eye out for when people you know start festivals: It’s a well known truth that in this business it is about who you know, and the longer you do this the more people you will know…and the more of them will start stuff! When they do, offer to help them out….or submit to perform! If they think you’d be a good addition, they’ll add you to their team or festival/contest…and while our friends may not ALWAYS think we’re funny, we do have a better chance of winning people we know over.
So those are my thoughts about comedy contests and festivals, what are yours? Feel free to comment with more tips and ideas about this topic, or ask any questions you may have!
Thanks as always for reading!
2 responses to “Comedy Contests and Festivals”
Comedy contests are generally a “bringer” show scam branded to appeal to dumber audience members who need that contrived drama to go to a show. If you’re trying to get into a club that produces that type of show you better knock it out of the park and never ever do a show like that for them again because they already perceive you as somebody who is desperate to get on their stage but doesn’t know how else to do that.
Festivals are cool if they are paying you to perform and taking care of your travel and accommodations. otherwise it can be a fun, expensive way to hang with other comics but as you alluded, it is only a legit credit for people who don’t have any other credits. Not all comedy festivals are predatory but some of them can be so watch it.
I firmly believe every comic should produce and host their own shows (so they know how to do that and appreciate the people that do but also it definitely will make you a better comic) and if you’re good at it you can produce your own festival (which I would also highly recommend).
Festival runners should make sure local comics can submit for free and are encouraged to volunteer . it’s worth their time to meet those comics coming in from out of town because generally the comics who have their shiz together enough to travel to other cities have their shiz together at home and can put you on those shows.
Thanks for sharing this comment!