The Multicam Paradox & the Courage it takes to be Funny
A frustrating hurdle I have seen for young actors is how to perform multi-camera television sitcom scripts. These particular types of tv shows succeed in large part by being predicatably formatted and filmed in front of an audience. The most coveted roles for young actors are on these sitcoms. And you would think by the sheer consumption of this programming by kids, the watch hours would bring some of the crucial required elements to light. Sadly so many child actors just don’t understand what to do and frankly do not have the courage or confidence to bring their “A” game to their reads.
Now comedy in general is a challenge for most actors. Being funny is not instinctive for many. Even those who were born blessed with a winning sense of humor will tell you that consistently getting laughs is a result of trial and error. I’ve heard it said, 9 out of 10 times, a joke goes over like a dead balloon. It takes creativity and fine tuning to really begin to nail the medium.
A huge number of Youth Actors come from the stage. They discovered the world of acting in a theater and got the hang of it and wanted something more. When they find their way to the TV/Film business, they are often met with a rude awakening. In classes they quickly are told that acting for the camera is very different than acting on a stage. Words like “grounded” and “pull it back” are reiterated to them over and over. Generally, it is needed to bring that point home. Theatre kids tend to be too “BIG”! Their stage training dictated that they were larger than life because they had an audience to reach. In TV/Film there is often a camera in your face and a boom microphone hovering above your head. It can be very foreign for young theatre actors to tone it down.
How do you get the laugh?
I might have some ideas…
Private Coaching gets FAST RESULTS
Try it out for auditions or to overcome a hurdle with skill. Some kids need that one on one attention.
The paradox comes to light when multicam sitcoms are introduced. A comedic show that thrives off an audience and their reactions. There is reciprocal energy and exchange with the actors and the audience like in a regular play or musical. The jokes need to be quick and plenty. The energy cannot falter. And for Kid Networks like Disney and Nickelodeon, their multicam sitcoms are amped up, like a pixie stick sugar rush. Kids are the intended audience and the show’s style & humor reflect that- by being very silly!
So not only are new Tv/Film acting students, confused and apprehensive about allowing themselves to be “BIG” again, they are often shaking in their boots when it comes to the pressure of being funny every few seconds.
It can be taught!
The Rhythm and Predictability can be instilled to a young actor in a flash. If they find the strecgth to go the extra mile for a laugh - we are in business!
Fun Fact: Multi-cam sitcoms average 8 laughs per minute and not uncommongly can reach to 11 or more laughs from the audience in a mere blip of 60 seconds.
The typical age of a child actor on a multi-cam sitcom is around 12-14 years old. You know what kids this age fear the most? Making waves. They want to blend in and play it safe. They want to be seen as normal. So it should not come as a surprise to you all reading this that these kids are not exactly adventurous with their comedy or outputting wild energy. They tend to play the scene very close to what is expected and often fear going outside of the box to get a laugh. BUT THEY HAVE TO BREAK CONVENTION TO SUCCEED.
COMEDY HAS TO HAVE RISKS
Fearless Friends of Funny!
Comedy is built on the absurd and unexpected. It needs something “extra”. Casting Directors are looking for funny kids that can take a joke off the page with their unique brand of humor and personality. Sitcoms are made to throw some pies in actor’s faces. Tell me, what 12-14 year old wants a pie in their face?
Now I am going to throw one more wrench in this dumpster fire. A huge complaint that people have with young actors attempting to do multicam is that they do not stay “grounded” enough. You know the thing they were drilled to understand about on-camera performance. They should be in the moment and realisitic and believable. To a lot of new young actors this is where they throw their hands up. But it is totally true. Acting for the camera still needs to balance believability with that enjoyable audience reaching energy. Plus, some characters are played more subdued, while others are wacky side-kicks. The whole genre is a confusing puzzle for kids.
There are a ton of great casting opportunities for young actors every year on sitcoms like this. And I have witnessed far too many talented kids tank their chances because of all these stressors and contradictions. We need to fix that.
I am starting a new class that aims to open young actor’s minds to what exactly is required of them when they audition for multi-cam comedies. Most importantly, to give them the courage they have to dig deep for in order to be REALLY FUNNY. Landing the joke is the job. And it takes fearlessness.
The five-week course begins January 18 and runs for an hour on Tuesdays at 4pm pacific time. I am opening it up to young actors ages 10 and up. I cannot think of many kids who do not need this class to help them find the right tone, rhythm, levels and the guts to be goofy!
