VLOG #28
Happy Halloween! I’m working on regularly filming and editing these video logs. They haven’t gained much momentum yet but I think if I just keep doing them and start giving them more structure then I'll be off to the races. I’m at such a larval phase of videography and screen performance that I learn something new every time I make a v-log which is exciting because I just keep improving.
This particular v-log is a combination of two different clips I filmed yesterday after doing a stand-up set. I’m definitely putting effort into becoming more “natural” in front of the camera which takes a certain level of objectivity, self-analysis, and composure. I am a work in progress and I’m aware that these blogs/v-logs have a lot of room for improvement. I'm grateful to even have the kind of life that allows me to be able to consistently post content to my own website. Not everyone can be so lucky so I think I owe it to myself to try to keep improving. If I was to offer any advice it'd be to find something that supports you and your overall goal and go do it everyday.
Thanks,
-Tim
MY BROTHER'S VLOG
I've hiked in Los Angeles County before and there are a lot of wonderful trails but when my brother and his girlfriend went hiking they got more than they bargained for.
VLOG #27
Over the last few weeks my brand has began taking a turn. I’m focusing my efforts on my weak points and the places that need the most work. I’ve also been regularly uploading content on my website as well as building up my resume as an entertainer. I think it's very helpful to have videos online that people can just watch if they want to see you or any of the things that you do. Becoming a better video blogger is something that I definitely want to do. I want to develop a successful youtube channel with media that brings people back to my website so I can push my brand. My first objective is stickers. I am going to be selling stickers on my website. The stickers that I am selling on my website are going to be coming in series and I am going to use stickers as one of my real artistic platforms for getting my name out there as an artist.
VLOG #26
Regarding comedy, it'd be a lie if I said it didn't get better than me... But, definitely check out my website to make sure.
Stand-up Comic, Blogger, Podcaster @jellyvisionshow
Book Me: TimTrueheart@gmail.com
COMEDY SHOW NOV 1st!
Come on out! #showbenefit #comedyforacause https://t.co/IPZSwenxft pic.twitter.com/TvueWSdIEC
— Davine Ker (@DavineDC) October 21, 2016
BLOG #33: Welcome To Art!
Greetings,
The craziest things come out of your head when you just let yourself write whatever you want. By the way, I apologize for not posting many blogs lately. Would you believe writing consistently isn’t easy? It’s not, but I’m going to keep writing until it becomes a habit, and I do it automatically. Efforts aren't worth anything if they’re not consistent. I’m making the adjustments necessary to maintain consistent blog/vlog releases on my website, and am looking into reintroducing the podcast aspect back into my available content.
Yeah, I’ve put up a few vlogs and I hope you’ve enjoyed them. I’m going to focus a little more on those because they’re really fun, and I want to create more visual imagery while also maintaining my youtube channel. Video logs also work for me because energy springs from me in a way that necessitates being captured on camera. (BRAG!)
I love making visual art. I want to get back into making it. Being involved in the arts helps maintain my sanity and gives me a sense of fulfillment. I want to tell stories with my work. Ironically enough creating art can also rob you of your sanity.
Which is exactly what this e-book is doing to me so when I finish writing it I’m focusing on doing one-person shows… I’d like to perform them as workshop productions as early as February, and may apply to the Capital Fringe Festival. I also want to do the show’s set design.
So I’m changing the game up a little bit. I’m arranging my resume/portfolio and marketing myself as an artist and comedian. I’m merging both aspects of my life being a comedian and an artist together and making them both work for me. I’m taking myself seriously as a product that can make and sell art. I want to create a one person show that combines my ceramics, my painting and printmaking, my photography, my writing, and my performance ability all in one package. I’d definitely need to work on my acting, singing, and dancing. (I suck at that stuff) But I think doing this project will make me become even more badass.
Thanks,
-Tim
COMEDY SHOW TONIGHT!
Washington, DC Tonight @slashrundc the great @EspinozaStandup & @LeftistPanda host #standupcomedy that'll make u laugh till u pee on R-Kelly pic.twitter.com/X06zqsSq79
— Tim Trueheart (@TimTrueheart) October 25, 2016
VLOG #25
I'm still in Chicago but I somehow still managed to squeeze out this blog post. Enjoy!
-Tim
I read The Book With No Pictures
I wish I was as funny as this book!
VLOG #24
I really wish I was more experienced with music and dance.
Thanks,
-Tim
VLOG #23
I minored in African-American studies... Yep, I took classes to get in touch with my blackness. One thing African-American studies did was help me notice all the racism occurring around me everyday... So, if you use those plastic stick dividers in the checkout line at the grocery store, STOP SUPPORTING SEGREGATION! African American studies also taught me that I can pass for white... on the phone.
It’s weird being a light skinned brother is easier than being a dark skinned brother. This has been a thing forever, and this post celebrates brothers like myself. The light skinned black men with first-world-white-privilege type problems. Now, I'm just spitballing here but, I think when Obama got elected the cops all got together and decided you can’t shoot a black if he’s, as light or, lighter than Barak. But seriously, I'm so lucky that the cops think shooting pale brothers is bad joo joo. Otherwise. Uh-oh!
As a light skinned black man in America I'm plagued by fear. One is that when everyone is choosing teams during pickup basketball instead of getting picked first I get picked second, or worst case scenario, third. Another is, maybe people might think I'm not as excellent a dancer, rapper, or interracial lover as a darker nigga. (Truth is I'm not). But my biggest fear is women assuming my dick is just moderately bigger than average. (Hey, stop thinking about my hog!)
These are valid fears but they're really nothing to lose sleep over. Besides, as a light skinned negro I shouldn't worry about those things anyway. I should worry about how moist my skin is because I'm closer to cracking than my darker "black don't crack" brethren. Also, I don't want premature wrinkles at 65 years.
Anyway, you're responsible for keeping yourself happy my light-skinned-caramel-taupe-beige-khaki-brown-paper-bag-Carlton-Banks-looking-ass-brothas. So, don’t let them hood-ass-niggas frustrate you because you don't know as much about guns and drugs as them.
I have to admit that growing up I wanted to be gangster so much that at night I would get down on my knees and pray to black baby jesus. "Jesus, please send a bullet so that it might just graze my butt cheek and give me the street credit I desire so badly."
Really, don’t worry, because a big factor in overall happiness is how much gratitude you show. So, keep your head up and wear that t-shirt that says 'Tell your mom I said "THANKS"'.
By the way, African American studies also taught me that, I’m racist. YEAH, I didn’t believe that for one cotton picking second either.
Peace,
-Tim
I like digital images
VLOG #22
Circus Peanuts are weird because they've always been terrible and yet they're still around. They… https://t.co/o0YJiufXcO
— Tim Trueheart (@TimTrueheart) October 15, 2016
Thanks,
-Tim
BLOG #32: Rehearse
Having killer material doesn't mean anything if you can't remember any of it to save your life. If you get onstage and don’t know your material backwards and forwards you will eventually fail. Sorry. Maybe not the first time but sooner or later your mind will go blank and you will fold. Sorry. If you don't rehearse not only will you not kill, you will die onstage. Sorry. I’m talking about bombing. Bombing onstage is the worst thing that can happen to you as a comedian... Unless you’re Michael Richards, Steve Rannazzisi, or Bill Cosby. Thank God you're not them... if you are, sorry. Also, fuck joke thieves. I'm looking at you Carlos Mencia.
So, I notice that a lot of comics are funny in real life but when they get onstage they’re nowhere near as funny. This is due in part to a lack rehearsal, if they had their material sharpened to a razor's edge they'd be able to capitalize on their sense of humor in front of an audience.
Always rehearse the way you intend to perform... Or, you can rehearse at 10-20% above the level that you think you should perform your act at. It's not going to hurt you if you push. Pushing is the way that you develop a strong stage presence. Another reason why rehearsing just like you would onstage is so important is that rehearsing helps you develop your act-outs faster than if you only do run-throughs of your lines here and there. When you spend a lot of time in your material it evolves and the more time you spend with it the more evolution your material will make. You want your material to be like that picture you see where the monkey turns into a man, otherwise you're going to end up with some boneheaded material like some extinct neanderthal.
I want my stand-up to evolve into something intelligent.
There is this principle called "Pareto's principle" that states this theory called the "80/20 rule". Where 20% of the work creates 80% of the results. There is a lot more to the rule than what I am talking about but what I'm imagining is that 20% of my comedy gets 80% of my laughs. When I think about my process the one thing I have not consistently done with my act is rehearse it everyday. I haven't been as disciplined about it as I have with other things, like; running, basketball, and art. I believe I would experience more positive performances overall.
Rehearsing helps you in many ways. One, it forces you to review your material (which keeps it fresh in your mind). Two, it makes you emotionally, mentally, and physically engage your material. Three, it helps you commit to truly feeling your words.
Be yourself as much as you can be while doing stand-up comedy. Try to connect with the audience like they're with you, at home, in your living room having a conversation. Rehearsing should help you bridge the gap as a comic between your written material and the audience’s sense of humor.
Practice in front of a mirror. Performing in front of the mirror helps you see see how you look when you deliver your lines. Sometimes jokes don't work because you made a weird face and it killed the joke. Sometimes comics don't like rehearsing because it can be boring, monotonous, and emotionally draining. Rehearsing isn't always fun. Do it anyway, it’ll make you better!
I've heard you can rehearse so much your material sounds robotic and it loses it’s life. I don't believe that because it's pretty hard to get to where you've over-rehearsed. I don't buy that I "over-rehearsed" mumbo-jumbo. You can rehearse day and night and still get feel like it’s enough. THE POINT IS IT WILL BE A LOT BETTER! Try over-rehearsing. See if you feel like you “over-rehearsed,” or if you just feel very prepared. And, remember, we're going for very prepared here, we're not going for some of bubble gum and scotch-taped together comedy happening here. Know your material!
Thanks,
-Tim