Giuliana Montes | 42501962

MECO211:
Research Report
Peter Doyle | Fri 3pm 5pm

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MECO211: Research Report
1. Objective:

My final creative arts journalism article will profile Sydney amateur comedian Victor Lee in
light of his upcoming solo debut show featuring as a part of Sydney Fringe Comedy. The
central theme of the article will be upon Lees comedic practice and its interplay with his
professional career in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. As I discovered when interviewing
him, his main motivation for performing stand up stems from the empowerment which
laughter, positivity and happiness can provide to people (ie. the various patients he has seen)
during difficult times. The article will explore how Lees comedy routine for his upcoming
show, and how his creative practices in general, are all founded upon creating a relationship
with the audience which goes beyond simply entertaining; its to promote messages of
positivity and mental wellbeing in the face of lifes challenges.
2. Research Portfolio
I have collated various pieces of research in this research portfolio which will aid me in
writing the final article in terms of themes and writing structure/style.

Interview with Victor Lee

The focus/angle of my article derives from the interview which I conducted. He was very
sincere in the answers he gave, which could possibly allow me to take a more emotive/
personable approach to writing this article. I would like to include his personal values which
influence his comedic practice and vice-versa since within his creative process theyre both
so intertwined. As being a comedian is not his primary profession, it was interesting to note
how he related his experiences as a comic to everyday situations situations which his own
audience (and my audience for my final article) would be able to relate to.

Demetri Martin If I Comedy Routine

I conducted research upon another comedian with similar creative practices. Lee spoke about
the importance of structure in his comedic practice and how his upcoming show explores a
single theme through following this structure similarly, this comedy routine If I came to
mind. As I havent been to see Lees own show yet, this was a good exercise in observing
how comedy routines are constructed around the idea of communicating a single, overt idea
to audiences.

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Australian Comedy Reviews

Reading these two comedy reviews of Australian comedians (one who performed in Australia
and the other overseas and reviewed by The Guardian US) has been helpful in discerning
what are the more precise technical elements to be aware of when writing about comedy
shows. They particularly focused on how the comedian performs on stage, their relationship
with the audience, and comedic style.

Can Too & Sydney Fringe Comedy

Conducted background research upon two basic yet important elements of my final article
Can Too (the charity which Lee is raising money for with his show) and Sydney Fringe
Comedy which is hosting Lees show. Although I will be writing about them in reference to
Lee, I want to ensure I am including accurate information.

The Venue The Factory Theatre

This will be the venue for Lees first solo show. I have been to this venue before and included
brief notes about the space from my memory. I conducted further research in the form of
venue reviews and sourced some photos. Especially since it is his first show, I believe writing
about the venue as a space which holds both the performer and audience will be essential.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

I researched the scientific relationship which laughter has with promoting health and
wellbeing. As my article will focus upon how the catalyst of Lees comedic practice is his
professional career, I would like to present an informed viewpoint (although not necessarily
heavy with facts/statistics) when exploring how laughter can act as therapy. My research
presents the general physical benefits of laugher, as well as laughter therapy as a practice by
the Cancer Treatment Centre of America.
3. Further Research
I will be able to conduct further research in the form of taking field notes on location and
performance when I attend Lees show at the Factory Theatre this coming weekend (Saturday
September 26).

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Interview with Comedian Victor Lee

[23:25]

G: Like how you were saying before, you have your friends who support
you, and you also said you found comedy as a way to help other people.
But, in any way, has this experience helped you so far develop as a
person?
V: Yeah, thats a very good question because I keep saying to my family
and my friends that Im so fortunate enough to be able to be up on stage
to do comedy. Ive learnt so much from that. Like, I can still remember,
when I first started, I would always panic right before I went on stage.
Now, I still have it, but its not as much anymore. And I can even see
before we used to write everything on a piece of paper, and then wed
hopefully cram it all. Now, its a matter of understanding the audience in
the first place and being able to perform. Its kind of hit and miss,
sometimes you miss it. To know my material well, to be able to make
people laugh, but also engage with the audience. What Im trying to say
there is I learnt all these skills through comedy and I can transfer them to
my life. Its to be able to talk to a stranger. To be able to make someone
happy. To be able to understand the situation there how can I be able
to get myself out to them without coming across as negative? How can I
work with someone who I dont enjoy the company of? Knowing what we
want and having the capacity to walk away from some situations. Most
of the time in our lives we dont have to get involved in an argument, and
its to know and appreciate how to handle them.

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MECO211: Research Report

But also on more superficial terms, I feel like my memory span has
increased, cause now I can remember stuff from uni, and Im able to
study better.
G: At the moment, with what your goals are as a comedian, what do you
find is the biggest challenge for you?
V: The biggest challenge is initially to let me have a think. I have to
say that the biggest challenge this is for myself there are different
layers of challenge. I think the biggest challenge for myself is to step
outside my comfort zone. And the reason why Im saying this is we might
put our material out there and think that its funny. But its not it might
not happen all the time. So we have to get out of our comfort zone to
accept ourselves. Just, Okay, this isnt funny. What do I have to do?
Work on the material, or let the material go? A lot of comics said to me
First of all, you need to believe in yourself and believe in your material.
Yes, there are ways to sharpen it. But a lot of the time, and this is what I
see, people come to the show the audience is so smart. They can
sense it if youre not confident in your material. They can sense it
straight away. And they wont laugh because in their head they say Is
that right? Im not sure.
So how can we ensure that were comfortable with ourselves? Because
most of the time we arent. We might put ourselves into danger, or be
with someone who we dont like. So what we need to do is step outside
of our comfort zones to share our love to the others. And thats what Ive
learnt from my life to share, to be able to get ready to love others.
When were in that zone, we let ourselves go. It becomes easier. We

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MECO211: Research Report

dont have our pride its all about connecting. Its all about being united,
being one.

Thats why I say it can be superficial, or it can be deep. Some people

can say the biggest challenge is promoting my show. Yes, it is. But on a
deeper level, its about how can I get myself out of my comfort zone to
show it to the others, to let myself go and say hey, this is my show,
come over and see it!. And thats one of the challenges, to get out of my
comfort zone. Being on stage is one thing, like now I have mentally
prepared myself to be on stage because I know this is a show and I
have to believe that this is the show where I can share this love with
everyone who attends.
The audience, they come along, they might get a message from there
that they will pass along to other people so that they know how to
appreciate life in a happier way.
[32:01] V: A lot of comics they do it with a purpose as well. I truly believe,
I cant speak on behalf of anyone, that they all want to make people
happy. And thats the goal. Some of them, they might want to make
themselves happy, but at the same time the by-product is that people
laugh. When people laugh, it implies that they enjoy it. Like regardless if
its offensive comedy, dark comedy, as soon as they laugh, endorphins
go to their head, and it helps them enjoy life, their present stage, just a
bit more. We can see that when someone is happy, they can get through
things a bit easier.
Stand Up Comedy Show: If I, Demetri Martin, 2004

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49 min approx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU3vqkPFJi8

is
a

This show
based on
long

storytelling structure ie. the comedian dissects and reflects upon

his entire life to better understand a central theme

His professional life (as a lawyer) was the catalyst for his comedy
career
Is an example of how comedy routines can be structured in a way
which involves the audience ie. Demetri Martin is overtly guiding

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MECO211: Research Report

the audience through a step by step process

Similar subject matter: existentialist ponderings searching for
meaning in human existence (again, to spread this message to
audiences)
As a performer onstage was relaxed and sharing with audience
personal experiences rather than telling them conclusions
The following quote exemplifies how Martin takes a very structured
approach in his routine to guide the audience through his thought
processes it is humorous as much as it is thought provoking.
The unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates said that, over 2000 years ago.
And I agree with him. I would just add, Man. The unexamined life is not worth
living, man. Because that hits me here. But when you do examine life, can you
go too far? How much is too much, man? Thats the question I had to ask
myself recently. Because in examining my life, I got carried away.
You see, some people are passionate about money, or power. Other people are into
sex, or cats. While I like three of those things, my passion is for something less
tangible. I love figuring things out. The process of exploring a possibility to
discover something new, thats my passion. Thats a simple pleasure Ive
enjoyed since I was a kid. But recently things got complicated. Thats what I want to
talk about tonight.
This is a story about what happens when one mans obsessive analytical mind goes
too far and turns on itself. My story starts with one little word, if, and one medium
sized person, I. If I this statement, if implying possibility. I implying Demetri.
Because you see, its in the if that I seem to have lost and then
rediscovered the I. To put it another way, I figured, since I dont have a job, or a
girlfriend, or much going on back in my flat, why not write an entire show about one
word? If.

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Australian Comedy Reviews

Clark, L. (2015). Geraldine Hickey Winner! | Squirrel Comedy. [online]

Squirrelcomedy.com. Available at: http://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=9243
[Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].

This article was useful as it helped me consider:

How to describe the comedian as a performer on stage and
liveness
How they interact with the audience, what type of relationship is
created
Important to take note of interaction with hecklers, interruptions,
non-responsive audiences etc.
Shes an expert at putting the audience at ease, with relaxed funny banter and pertinent
questions that engage, add to the concept of the show and help fill that time when people are
settling in. When some audience members arrive really late she manages with ease, asking
them what they would do if they won lotto and gradually brings things back to where shed
left off in her tale.

Logan, B. (2015). Ronny Chieng review a joyless journey through everyday

rage. [online] the Guardian. Available at:
http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/sep/03/ronny-chieng-comedy-reviewsoho-theatre-a-joyless-journey-through-everyday-rage [Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].

Note how show is structured

What is expected by comedian of audience, how comedian and
audience relationship is pursued
Cohesion of show in terms of subject matter fluidity of each act
Comedic style/technique
For the first half of the gig, theres minimal sense that this is a persona, a caricature of mean
spirit. On the contrary, Chieng seems to expect us to laugh with rather than at him as he
berates, more or less at random, Occupy protestors, the concept of Valentines day, and
anyone concerned about data privacy. The repeated trick is to misrepresent things that
stupid people might say

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Can Too

Can Too is the charity for cancer research, prevention and treatment which
Lee is raising money for through his show. He has been involved with them
over the past 3 years, most notably as a trainer for people who wish to
fundraise through participating in events (ie. marathons, half-marathons).

Source: www.cantoo.org.au/about

Sydney Fringe Comedy

Fringecomedy.com.au, (2015). Fringe Comedy. [online] Available at:
http://fringecomedy.com.au/ [Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].

Co-running event of Sydney Fringe Festival

Largest independent arts festival in NSW
Every September, annually
Running for 6 years

All Fringe Comedy shows will take place at the Factory Theatre
1 Sept 4 Oct
130+ shows

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Venue: The Factory Theatre

I have been to this venue twice: once for a comedy show a few years
ago, and again more recently in August when I attended a concert.
Most memorable details include:
Simple, small sized venue which creates an intimate atmosphere
The small area outside where theres a food truck, a beer garden
with fairylights hanging above, and a few bar tables and stools
The heavy black curtain which creates a hallway and divides the
main concert room from the exits this creates traffic as everyone
tries to leave at the end of the night!
Couches which line the back of the room that were always full
during support acts
Dim lighting, carpeted floor
I will take further field notes when I return for the comedy show.

The Factory Theatre Venue Reviews:

Palathingal, G. (2010). Sydney venues that rock your world. [online] The Sydney
Morning Herald. Available at:
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/sydney-venues-that-rock-yourworld-20101111-17p0m.html [Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].
Time Out Sydney, (2015). The Factory Theatre. [online] Available at:
http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/music/venues/224/the-factory-theatre
[Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].

Venue is renowned for hosting local acts typically music gigs and
comedy acts
Versatile spaces
Feels a bit more like a big uni bar rather than a gig venue
Capacity: 350 seated, 800 standing

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The Factory Theatre: Inside the venue space, and the venues entrance.
Images sourced from: www.au.timeout.com

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Laughter is the best medicine

Within my article I intend to explore the scientifically proven health benefits of

laughing/ engaging in stimulating positive behaviour in relation to Victor Lees
comedic practice and professional career. While I will not be focusing on statistics
and data as such, I intend to enhance the angle of my article with background
knowledge of the scientific links between health/wellbeing and comedy.

Smith, M. and Segal, J. (2015). Laughter is the Best Medicine: The

Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter. [online] Helpguide.org.
Available at: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotionalhealth/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm [Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].
This health website listed the physical benefits of laughter:

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical
tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress

hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus
improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the bodys natural feelgood chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can
even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood

vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart
attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Cancercenter.com, (2015). Laughter Therapy: Cancer

Treatment Centers of America. [online] Available at:
http://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/laughter-therapy/
[Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].

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The Cancer Treatment Center of America utilises laughter therapy for their patients.
It involves going through the physical processes of laughing (replicating sound and
body movements) in order to produce the health benefits which laughter brings the
body cannot discern real laughter from fake laughter.
Key points of information:

Laughter therapy, also called humor therapy, is the use of humor to promote
overall health and wellness. It aims to use the natural physiological process of
laughter to help relieve physical or emotional stresses or discomfort.

Over the years, researchers have conducted studies to explore the impact of
laughter on health. After evaluating participants before and after a humorous
event (i.e., a comedy video), studies have revealed that episodes of laughter
helped to reduce pain, decrease stress-related hormones and boost the
immune system in participants.

not on humor or jokes, but rather on laughter as a physical exercise. One

group laughter exercise involves patients standing in a circle, with the leader
in the middle. Patients put their fingertips on their cheekbones, chest or lower
abdomen and make ha ha or hee hee sounds until they felt vibrations
through their bodies. Dr. Puckett says during these exercises, it is hard for
people not to join in because laughter is so contagious.