In The Comedian’s Guide to Feedback, comedian Raza Jafri describes the “Feedback Mountain” that leads to new material.
Each phase of Feedback Mountain holds specific nutrients that allow the idea to mature. My inner circle allows me to test fresh ideas, my fellow craftsmen give me the expertise of joke writing, and public audiences provide me with continuous data points. Each phase allows the joke to grow but also holds limitations that force you on to the next phase. By going through this process, the initial seed is shaped into a well crafted weapon producing laughs on command.
Here are the three levels he describes with an excerpt from each…
Level 1: Testing seeds with the inner circle
The viability of an idea can only be understood when it is tested on others…A good first step is to test ideas on your inner circle. I like to run them on my friends, family and girlfriend. I often bake them into the conversation. Does the joke work when people don’t know I’m looking for a laugh? The beauty of this stage is that I get to read their natural reactions. I see where they’re confused or bored. I see how they respond, and often they will offer different angles from my original premise.
Level 2: Shaping ideas with my follow craftsman
Comedians see jokes as puzzles that must be solved. There is an underlying structure to every joke that works and our goal is to seek out the punchlines. Each comedian will bend the premise in a direction that fits their style which will help refine your own. Some comics revel in one liners while others can take any premise into an absurd situation.
Level 3: Learning from public audiences
You now have something with potential and it is time to get down the contours of the joke from the vantage point of behind the microphone. Stage time in front of real audience members will provide you with your strongest feedback. After all, the purpose of creating a new joke is to use it on new audiences.