Hacker Cinema
Comedian
2002 · Film · documentary · 82 min
Directed by Christian Charles
A look at the work of two stand-up comics, Jerry Seinfeld and a lesser-known newcomer, detailing the effort and frustration behind putting together a successful act and career while living a life on the road.
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3 comments on Hacker News
I think you are right.
Have you watched "Comedian"? It's a documentary which follows Jerry around as he struggles to re-enter the world of standup comedy. It was released in 2002, so this is just a couple of years after his show ended.
He clearly is not happy and is extremely hard on himself.
One quote I remember: after a show in a small club in New York with which he is very unsatisfied the club owner says something like "You looked like you were having fun", and Seinfeld replies: "That's my job."
Strangely enough, I am reminded of Jerry Seinfeld's documentary, Comedian. Throughout the movie, while not following Jerry's plight, the story is focused on Orny Adams, a struggling comedian who dreams of Seinfeld-like fame.
At one point, Seinfeld and Adams have a conversation. Adams mentions that it would be great to be able to make a lot of money for doing what he loves. That he'd like to be like Jerry one day. And Jerry is flabbergasted. Basically he says that if you're doing it for the money, you're in it for the wrong reasons. You do it because you love it. You'd be doing it if you lived on the street eating out of a garbage can because a few times a week, you get to go out and tell jokes, and people laugh at them.
The author of this article is saying the same thing. Unless you're completely dedicated to an idea, unless you can't stop thinking about it, you may fail. The closer you are to being completely encompassed by an idea, the more likely it is to succeed.
I read it as more of a caution than a guideline. If you aren't really in love with an idea, but you still want to go along with it because you think it might make money, or bring you fame, or whatever, you're in it for the wrong reasons. You will be a terrible comedian.
Watch the documentary "Comedian" for more on Jerry's work habits. It partially follows him and another comedian during the time after the Seinfeld show had ended and he was getting back into stand up.