Make A Star Interview with Stand Up Comic Winner Robby Millsap

MAS: What’s the story behind the video clip you’ve entered in the Make A Star contest?

Robby: My comedy is really just an exposition of my life and how I see the world. I always find the truth or a perspective on the truth to be funnier than any one-liner. This particular performance was filmed in front of a large crowd in Mission Viejo, California last August.

MAS: Tell us how you got started as a stand-up comic.

Robby: I took a class taught by my comedy mentor Tom Riehl. It was something I had always wanted to do but wasn’t sure how to get started. If your readers are in the southern California area, they should check out ComedyInTheOC.com to sign up for his class. It was informative and super safe.

MAS: How do you feel when you are on stage as a comedian?

Robby: Exhilarated...or frustrated. Depending on how prepared I am and how well this specific crowd is responding to my material. When it’s good it’s GREAT and when it’s not good...well, you can guess. You can’t put your guard down for a second. I’ve started strong and lost them in the middle because I got too confident.

MAS: How do you write your jokes and put together a routine?

Robby: I could write a book about this. First off, I write about something that really has emotion for me. It’s hard to fake that you actually think “cheese is funny” if you don’t really think cheese is funny. Then I freeform into a recorder a few times while I’m driving around or sitting at a computer. Then I’ll sit down and transcribe the mess I recorded and try and see the story I want to tell.

Next I try and punch it up. I “bold” the spots I anticipate laughter. Then I step back. Is there enough bolded stuff? Tom taught us you want to have 4-6 laughs per minute. If I think I’m ready, I take it to an open mic (any comic can tell you these are the hardest crowds to please) and try out the material. It’s not a very glamorous practice. I video and audio record every performance. Then I take the tape back and check the laughs against what I thought and give myself a grade based on some criteria (material, confidence, performance). Makes changes, rinse and repeat.

MAS: Have other people compared you to any other comics?

Robby: No, not really. But you can learn a lot based on what the big boys say about you. I performed with a big headliner and he said my act was “cute.” The word I wanted, of course, was “funny.” So I went back and reviewed my material. He was right. I was as adorable as a bucket of fluffy kittens.

MAS: Who are your comedy heroes that have influenced your style? Robby: Too many to name. I like the storytellers though: Louis CK is the gold standard, Patton Oswalt, David Cross. I think these guys are the ones I find myself trying to emulate the most. I love the nuts too like Steve Martin and Zach Galifiankis, but I can’t do what they do. I don’t have the courage. And the observationalists are great too: Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan.

MAS: What are your career plans for the year ahead?

Robby: I recently heard comedian Chris Hardwick say, “You have to take control of your own career.” That has dramatically affected my view as a comedian. The pre-defined routes of do this show, then you get to do this show and so on kind of wear me down. I have some ideas to do some really new and interesting stuff with new media and social networking. I’m too old (30) to grind it out in comedy clubs for the next 10 years. Stay tuned to RobbyMillsap.com for more!

MAS: What is the best and worst part about being a stand-up comic?

Robby: Best part - is telling a great joke and having a great set. I love when people tell me that I was “too soon” in the order, meaning I should have been closer to the headliner. That fires me up. Worst part - drunks, silence, regret.

MAS: What is the best and worst part about the industry for comics today?

Robby: Best part - is there are so many opportunities now. There are comedy clubs, open mics, and classes held in every major area. Worst part - there are so many opportunities now. There are comedy clubs, open mics, and classes held in every major area. You get my point? You are nobody and nobody cares. There are a million comics out there funnier than me and I’ve got to somehow trick the producers into booking me instead of the really funny ones so I can get stage time. It’s a grind. The first year is just constant humility.

MAS: How does MakeAStar.com compare (good or bad) with other talent websites?

Robby: I haven’t used any but I won so obviously you guys are geniuses!

MAS: Tell us something completely random.

Robby: Everybody should check out RobbyMillsap.com for my YouTube videos and some of my new projects coming soon. And if you become my friend on Facebook I’ll give you a kidney. Peace, love and the consumption of many delicious burritos!!