Can I make a confession to you guys? I don’t produce the podcast because I think it’s the funniest thing that’s ever been produced. I don’t do it because I need it to be #1 in the iTunes store. I don’t do it hoping to get thousands of subscribers so I can start attracting sponsors so I can make a little extra cash from it.
I do it because in every single podcast there are lots of nuggets of ideas. Every time there is a character monologue, that’s the start of an idea that can be elaborated on, honed in, explored, edited, and eventually brought to life on stage or onscreen.
The same goes for every sketch I write. It could be a great idea that with the right partner, perspective, and energy to put into editing it- could be really great to make into a visual reality in some way.
The same is true for every little one or two-liner joke I write. They’re not perfect, but they’re the start of a concept I find funny. Maybe there’s something there to explore further when I’m looking over my stand up set and want to have more jokes.
Every story I include is the start of a story I could craft for a new solo show or for a five minute storytelling show like one of my personal faves Funny Cuz It’s True.
Even the headline jokes I write because I love the practice of setup and punchline jokes about current events. It’s a great way to practice for possible writing jobs on late-night talk shows. It’s also just a fun lens through which to view current events.
You get the pattern here. When I sit down to create these Femoir podcasts, I’ve been ruminating a bit on the theme for the past couple weeks, trying to figure out little perspectives or creative ideas I want to further explore. But I’ll be honest, I don’t sit down weeks in advance to plan out the perfect podcast. I don’t re-write or edit or constantly hone in every last detail to make sure it’s perfect. I have an outline, some ideas, and make the time to be creative.
I don’t assume that every time I sit down to spin comedy gold that it comes out even canary yellow. But sometimes there are some strands of gold in my metaphorical string. And if I do a ton of spinning, eventually I can take all the gold strands out, put them together and create a full string of comedy gold.
I’m a firm believer in the philosophy “Leap, and the net will appear.” I can’t get better as a comedic writer or voice-over artist if I don’t practice. There are no stakes or motivation in practicing without a possible audience. So I create the stakes and motivation by putting my work out to the world and letting it sit there, imperfections and all.
The last time I created a new version of the Femoir stage show, I walked into my first rehearsal (with the beautiful and talented Amanda Blake Davis) with an arsenal of ideas in hand. All from this podcast. All from elements I’d documented and already spent some time being creative about in my own head. I was ready. And we created a super fun show in no time at all.
I do this podcast because I love creating. It’s neccessary to my very existence.
But I also do it for the little nuggets that can serve me immensely in the future.
Not to mention, I consider every person who reads these blogs or listens to the podcasts or sees the live show little nuggets, too.
So here’s to you, nuggets. Thanks for the inspiration.
Briana Hansen 