Comedy Focus: The School Of Hard Knock-Knocks

Answered by: Ben Horowitz

What was your inspiration to start the School of Hard Knock-Knocks? There are a couple of stand-up comedy schools in Melbourne, so we weren’t first movers. But we saw a number of ways that we could improve the entire experience of learning comedy for the students, through a full-colour trainee book, constant filming throughout classes to help with feedback and famous comedians sharing their advice. We also help promote the students, after the course, through social media like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

What can one expect from the course? The curriculum involves three hours per night of class time with myself, our resident stand-up comedian and guest comedians. Stand-up comedy students learn joke structure, understanding their audience, how to generate content, confidence and delivery style, how to control a room and finally how to close their set. Our most recent guest comedian was Chris Franklin, who was incredibly generous with his time and advice. The students all have to present on the last night in front of a packed audience, in order to graduate. They then get a video of that final set.

Is the course only specified to stand up comedians? Or are you open to all forms of comedy i.e musical acts, sketch comedians etc. Our March intake of stand-up comedy students had one musical comedian. She was also our youngest at 17 years of age. We also train a lot of ‘bucket-list-tickers’, that is, people who don’t have a career plan to be a stand-up comedian, but want to experience life to its fullest. This group varies from their late 30s to late 60s.

Are there any embarrassing first day experiences you’ve had in the course? The reality of stand-up comedy is that you don’t have to tell the truth. So stand-up comedians could be telling the most embarrassing story, in the comfort that no one knows if the story is true or not. That reduces the chance of embarrassment. After spending 5 nights with one another all the students are willing to share their most personal thoughts, dreams and desires. You could say that it’s psychologically therapeutic.

What will students need to bring to the School of Hard Knock-Knocks? On the first evening of the course they must bring two minutes of original stand-up comedy. That’s it! We provide the 68 page ‘#SHKK Stand-up Comedy Manual’ and a round of beers to help everyone relax.

Will there be any homework? (And will there be detention if it’s not finished?) There is homework — which is optional. The ‘#SHKK Stand-up Comedy Manual’ is full of video links, stories and additional comedy advice. At the School Of Hard Knock Knocks, homework is really fun – and funny! And no, no one has been kept in detention – unless you call having a beer after the class detention.

Is there anything that comics shouldn't joke about? Almost anything can be turned into comedy – given enough distance and time. That being said, comedians should know their audience before launching into a more risqué joke. There’s some pretty risqué sets on our YouTube Channel, but all get laughs. Check out Jaiden Jarvis, for an example.

What is the best joke you’ve heard from a student? “The personal trainer told me to do 10 chin-ups. I did 5. Double chin, innit!” told by British born Matt O’Neill, got some of the most laughs from our audience on graduation night. Another was “I met my second wife on Tinder. It’s fantastic. Except now I have to break the news to my current one,” told by Grant Johnston. There were quite a few dirty jokes, but I’ll let your readers watch that on our YouTube channel.

Where is the School of Hard Knock-Knocks held? In Melbourne, the School Of Hard Knock Knocks stand-up comedy course is held at the Limerick Arms Hotel in South Melbourne. It’s next to two tram lines (#1 and #12), the M1 motorway, Kings Way and St. Kilda Road. It’s very convenient. We will be launching courses in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast later this year too.

Website link for more information? http://www.schoolofhardknockknocks.com