"Expert Tips to Simplify Your YouTube Video Recording Process"
How to Be Funny: Your Journey to Recording Your First Comedy Video
After hours and hours on the open-mic circuit, you’ve sat through distracted audiences, rude hecklers, and the sting of bombing more than you can count, you’ve finally climbed into lineup shows and now perform regularly at some of the biggest comedy clubs in your city.
You’ve tightened a killer ten-minute set. Now it’s time to shout to the world that you’re a ‘proper’ comedian – time to record your first comedy video.
The Effects on Indian Stand-Up Comedy :
In the last ten years, YouTube has become the catalyst to turn Indian stand-up comedy, a niche interest of the pass, into an art form viewed by people no less than cinema and sports.
Iconic moments such as the AIB Roast, standout performances such as Kunal Kamra’s “Patriotism & the Government,” Biswa Kalyan Rath’s “Banana & Pomegranate,” and Aditi Mittal’s “Bra Shopping” have introduced millions to comedy and created a thirst for more.
For comedians, getting on YouTube is very crucial in finding that new audience and filling seats in live shows. Says Aditi Mittal, who has Netflix specials: “In India, YouTube works much more efficiently than any streaming platform for tickets.”
Content on streaming platforms remains hidden behind paywalls, and the control is given completely to the streaming services regarding editing, making it even harder for creators to reach out with authenticity.
It takes a lot of time as well as substantial financial outlay and planning. In order to simplify this process for everyone, from absolute novices to professionals, we consulted with veterans in the industry and put this all-in-one guide together.
Logistics Matter
Times have changed since Kamra and Abhishek Upmanyu first began doing what they do. It is, ironically, now that a lot of content is being created digitally, fighting for space, and comedians don’t have it easy.
Harman Preet Singh, a standup comedian and co-owner of Bengaluru’s Underground Comedy Club, says, “Whereas earlier generations would take three to four years to put out content, today comedians want to see something out within a year. The struggle is on quantity; you have to bombard the feed and see what sticks.”.
This is, however easier said than done. Since social media is replete with Instagram reels and YouTube shorts, creating content to stand out becomes quite an expensive affair.
Most comedians need to rent a venue, camera, and sound professionals and pay for an editor who gets comedy .Comedians sometimes have to repeat this process several times over.
Work with Other Comedians
Many comedians have even managed to save costs by sharing a set and taping their individual sets during lineup shows. Last week, Tarang Hardikar, Devanshi Shah, and Supriya Joshi performed at The Habitat, recording their individual videos.
“I feel lineup shows work really well,” says Hardikar. “I know which bits to record and can warm up the crowd with other material before the cameras roll.” He believes that sharing the stage with comedians who have a similar comedic style reduces the chances of a lukewarm audience reaction. “If we all have a cohesive style, the audience is bound to enjoy the entire show,” he explains.
Singh agrees too. He did the first standup video with comedians Gautham Govindan and Gaurav Purohit, underlining the obvious fact that it is in such joint events that the control over the performance environment is higher.
“From stage lighting to who’s hosting, all these factors are crucial for a successful recording. It boosts our confidence in the final product,” he says.
Timing Is Essential, But Avoid Overthinking :
It takes time to put everything together, and you have to decide the right release date. A holiday weekend and a day on which some major brand releases its controversial advertisement can overshadow your work.
To be honest with you, just when there is buzz about your live performances and people are craving more of you, it is ideal to release the content that describes that show you delivered. But at the same time, waiting too long could become counterproductive.
Mittal who spent five years perfecting her first video, feels that if it had been released a few years ago, she would have gained more from it.
“I would tell others not to waste too much time over their product,” says Mittal firmly. “If you are consistent with your performances and your material is good, then don’t be reluctant and present it to the world.”
Standup special director Karan Asnani agrees: “Even Anirban Dasgupta, whose ‘Afreen Afreen’ became a huge hit, shot it seven-eight times to finally get the right reaction from the audience.
These days, what matters is churning out volume. Veterans of the craft say that there’s value in performing something for two to three years before recording it but the game has changed—now it’s a numbers play.”.
Endlessly Writing and Exercising New Content
Once put on the internet, then it is public domain. To maintain the fillings in the seats, comedians have to write new content every day. It is yet another cost that fans forget when encouraging their favorite comedian to post.
“I felt stuck, unsure if I could come up with new material,” admits Hardikar. “But in my sixth year of standup, I decided to just put it out there and see what happened. I understand why new comics hesitate to release material; securing performance spots can be challenging, making it harder to refine a set.”
Connect with the Audience, Not Just the Camera
“The key is to perform to the audience rather than to the camera,” Asnani advises. “The idea is that it should be somewhat of a live experience for the audience, both visually and sonically.” Singh says if a comedian only attends to the camera, there’s a disconnection and that audiences can feel it.
He tells comedians to watch the crowd during other people’s performances. “Reading the room before your performance is crucial. Many comedians isolate themselves before going on stage, but understanding the crowd’s vibe can enhance your performance.
Get Everyone on the Same Page
He knows how much room there is on stage. Camera setups will determine how much room to take up, so it really helps knowing the shots. “I am always early to come and figure out what angles the cameras will be shooting from,” says Hardikar, who brings a great deal of movement to his act. “Knowing what to work with helps me do my job better.”.
In the same line, Asnani advises the directors to watch the stand-ups of the comedians before filming. He says that this insight will guide you in camera setup and lighting, which strengthens your final recording in the long run.
That is kind of capturing more than just basic footage, and camera work that is deliberate can lead to an overall more polished edit.
Good Sound End
Sound quality is paramount in standup comedy, which is fundamentally an audio-driven medium. Asnani warns against compromising on sound equipment. “If the audience can’t hear the jokes clearly, everything else is wasted effort.
What Can Happen If You Get It Right
Attention to such little things could open doors to corporate gigs or opportunities to feature work on streaming platforms like Amazon miniTV. Singh stresses that the commitment to quality will appeal to the more discerning clients.
“Even when it comes to thousands of views, attention to detail illustrates that I care about my content, which will actually translate into paid opportunities.”.