Richard Pryor
Information
on common
stage directions and how to mark them on your script.
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Of "Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of all Time," Richard Pryor placed #1.
Warning: if blue language offends you, you can still learn a lot about microphone
technique by playing the Richard Pryor clip [see below] with the sound off.
More than any other stand-up comic, Pryor uses the entire stage and displays
seamless microphone technique.
Starting after Pryor's banter with the annoying
audience member taking his photo, from the section (2:17-8:35 = 6 minutes,
18 seconds) watch how Pryor expertly switches which hand is holding the mic,
gracefully using other body and head movements to mask his "stage cheats," breaks
the upstage-hand-holding-the-microphone
rule when his torso twisted (upper body
position is opposite to his foot placement), right hand to indicate the placement
of the policeman's holster, leading unconventionally with his right hand holding
the microphone when illustrating boxing moves with his left hand, incorporates
sound effects with mic (hitting himself in the head to make punching noises),
etc.
Simply masterful!
Many comics, most notably Richard
Jeni, decided to become stand-up comics themselves
after watching this 78 minute concert video. Jeni's use of the stage reflects
Pryor's expertise. Odd that so few comics have done their professional stage
movement homework when the master's example is so easily available. You can
greatly benefit from a conscious study of the entire "Richard
Pryor: Live in Concert" (1979) video. Get it, and learn a lot.
Return to it often for inspiration.
(Available from Netflix.com in DVD version
only.)
1) Start playing this sample youtube clip, then drag the playhead
to the (2:14) mark in the timecode: