COMEDY SHOWCASES

What is a Comedy Showcase? 

Comedy showcases encompass a variety of formats. A showcase may include a group of comedians doing sketches, comedians doing stand-up, or podcast recordings with a talk-show style environment.

Directions:

Research the show name and comedians on your assignment to get an idea of what to expect on stage. This can be via the SXSW schedule or a quick Google search. Knowing whether the assignment is a simple stand-up or an elaborate sketch show will inform how you approach it.

Comedy showcases take place in two venues: Esther’s Follies and the Hideout. Both are intimate venues, but the Hideout is tiny. You will not have many vantage points from which to shoot in either venue. You will want to arrive early and stake out the spots that will yield the best photos.

Once the show starts, try to be unobtrusive. DO NOT use flash.

Shot List:

Stand-up

• Each comedian on stage delivering their set

• Capture gestures, physical comedy, but also include facial expressions that are more natural and not overtly comedic

Sketch shows

• Funny poses, situations with the comedians on stage

Podcasts/Interview shows

• Singles of Host

• Host with guests

• Singles of Guests

• Everyone on stage

Audience

• Audience laughing with view of the comedian

• Audience laughing/clapping/doing something in unison