The Power of Flex Routines
Last post we talked about the importance of not going over time. In this post we’ll talk about a way to structure a show that can adapt to bringing it in at the appropriate length.
This post is autobiographical, which is an odd way to say, “This is what I do. It works for me. I’m pretty sure it will work for you …or better yet, an adapted version that suits you will work for you. No guarantees though, other than it usually works for me.”
Additionally, I realize that the problem solved by this solution isn’t a problem all acts have. As far as I can tell, this is only a problem for acts that do a lot of interactive crowd work and ad libbing. That’s me.
Qualifying statements being stated, let’s jump in.
Here’s the scenario. You’re performing your show and four minutes in you realize this crowd is hot. Ad lib possibilities start popping up left and right and they are scoring well. Yes. Gotta love being in the zone.
But the catch is laughter takes time. So what do you do?
Option A: Stopping getting those sweet laughs from the ad libs.
Option B: Get those laughs, go overtime and face the justified wrath of the booker.
Option C: Get those laughs, do the appropriate amount of time, and leave out a shorter routine (or bits) that is scheduled before your closer.
I choose C. I call it the Flex routine (or routines)1
Here’s how it looks in practice:
I perform my opener. This sets up some gag threads that go through the show.
Three routines, the last of which can easily go up to fifteen minutes.
At this point I know where I am time-wise in the show.
If needed, I leave out a Flex routine, and go directly to the closer.
That Flex routine (It varies, but it’s typically four to five minutes long) allows me to adjust. I choose a routine with only one music cue so I have to advance my Audio Ape for a single track and I’m back in where I need to be musically.
Another version: two or more even shorter Flex routines. Same reasoning and placement.
Simple stuff? Yes. And I like simple. Simple works. I dig simple.
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ONE MORE THING: TIMERS
I’ve used a few different show timers, but never felt 100% comfortable with one. So lately I’ve been using my watch, but with one little tweak. One, I don’t use a digital watch, because I don’t like the aesthetic of digital watches. Yeah, I know — get off my lawn!
I use my analog watch, but I set it right before I go up to the hour, meaning if the show starts at 8:10 pm, my watch will read 8pm when I start. That way I don’t have to do any math to figure out how long I’ve been up there.
My watch reads “8:30,” I’ve been up there 30 minutes. 8:37? I’ve been up there 37 minutes. Is this an odd over simplification? Probably, but I don’t really care because it works for me.
I hope “I don’t really care because it works for me” doesn’t sound cocky. It’s not. It’s more pragmatic than anything else, as the key word in that phrase isn’t me. The key word is works. And I hope it works for you, too.
Until next time,
Doc Dixon
1Name suggested by Michael Misko