If you’ve ever seriously considered making a career in standup comedy, you might already be familiar with the ingredients of the humble pie we’re about to serve up. But for those newbies who sincerely want a shot at the standup life (and especially for the funny ones in the friend group who are meant for this), let’s cut to the chase; you’re probably going to need a side gig. 

We don’t mean to say that you’re not good enough. We just mean that you might not be raking in the big bucks (or even monthly sustenance) any time soon. Success is a ladder, etcetera etcetera. That’s where a handy side gig could do the trick. Here are some fun employment opportunities that will help budding comedians get through the month, while also potentially opening up more doors for their comedy career!

COMEDY CURATION

Don’t break into the scene. Become the scene! Comedy curation is a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at how a show is run. A curator will produce shows by coordinating with artists to create a lineup, finding the right venues for the lineup, and then ensuring that the show runs smoothly. “I’m in charge of programming, so talking to artists and making lineups,” says Mumbai-based comedian and screenwriter Devanshi Shah. “On ground, I usually help the audience settle in, make announcements, and make sure to be present in case there’s something the audience needs.” 

The job offers you opportunities to network with comedians, producers, and different clubs, and so the payoff for the grunt work is worth it. Tread lightly though. “As a curator, I prefer if comics come on time and don’t behave badly in the green room,” says Jeeya Sethi, who organises shows under the Comedy Ladder banner. “This also has an impact on my career as people think I’m bossy but I’m just disciplined.”

WRITER’S ROOMS

In a writer’s room, you could be doing everything from developing comedy sketches for influencers to writing interview questions for talk shows. According to comedian Urjita Wani (who has written for a number of OTT series and awards shows) you may end up collaborating with one other writer for a smaller project, but larger projects will put you in a room with a head writer, a bunch of senior writers and even junior writers. These are great opportunities for you to meet others in the field as well. “Be a good and most importantly reliable writer; that’s the best way to retain clients and also get new ones,” says Wani.  

Working in a writer’s room is also a great way to hone your craft. There are skills that you can pick up while screenwriting which could help develop and fill out your standup sets too. “I’ve been screenwriting for so long I have a sense of what a story is, I have a sense of what characters are and how they’re developed,” adds Shah. 

So how do you land yourself a job? “Find senior writers who are very actively writing for money and ban jao intern ya assistant writer,” says Wani, who credits writer-comedian Dhruv Deshpande with teaching her all the basics of writing. Wani got her first freelance writing gig via Deshpande and has since worked with him on several different projects. “Instagram DM, email, sab karo. Aur kuch nahi toh put your work out there for the world to see, chaar log dekhenge toh khud hi job offer karenge.”

Otherwise, Shah recommends taking up jobs at production houses. “Make contacts and meet people. And once you know the industry and people know you, then you can go into freelancing,” says Shah. 

VIDEO EDITING

If you have the skillset—build the basics by attending a few workshops and downloading the right software—video editing could be a great avenue to reel in some cash. As a video editor in the standup comedy space, you’ve got the chance to learn how a set makes it from an open mic, to a tour, to a full-blown special. 

Comedian Abhishek Bhutwani, who also freelances as a video editor, sees a lot of benefit in translating live standup into the video format. “Editing with comics helps me understand the structure of the joke better and how the journey of it can transcend to a screen and still hit the same points,” says Bhutwani. Think of it as a job that requires you to constantly analyse jokes to see what performs well in front of a live audience, and what translates best to a YouTube clip. Then take all that insight and get a better perspective into your own performances. This gig also opens up avenues into the process of shooting, directing and even producing comedy videos and specials. 

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT 

As a production manager, you will be the puppet master, pulling the strings behind the scenes at your local comedy club. Comedian Tushar Poojari describes the work as coordinating logistics, communicating with both comedians and venue staff, managing technical aspects such as lighting and sound, and ensuring the seamless execution of the production. “A typical day might involve scheduling performers, ensuring equipment is set up correctly, and making sure the audience has a fantastic experience,” says Poojari.

You may not make too much money (Poojari also has a day job at a radio station), but the payoff in terms of access to the comedy scene will be worth it. As a production manager, a comedy club becomes a second home, a comfort zone. This may help you shake off the nerves before your shows. You may also get stage time in exchange for your hard work, as well as a chance to network with management in other rooms across your city. And of course, a spot for you in the green room, surrounded by experienced comedians awaits!

If you’re looking for a production management gig, Poojari recommends speaking to new producers who have just started their own rooms, as they always need extra hands and all the support they can get.

CONTENT CREATION

Sure, you could get on the influencer bandwagon and churn out reel after reel till you hit just the right spot to make the all-powerful algorithm shoot you to stardom. But there are other ways for you to channel all that creative energy. Take Antariksh Takkar for example, who hosts a Bollywood film and music game show podcast called Just A Filmy Game Show for IVM Podcasts. “It absolutely helps sustain a living and it was part of the reason why I got into podcasting.”

Working as a creator in a content production company will put you in close contact with several other creative minds. Becoming a part of the content production ecosystem will prove invaluable to your networking goals; a year after beginning his comedy career in 2018, Takkar was speaking with the likes of not only Kunal Rao and Atul Khatri but also Manoj Bajpayee and Deepika Padukone. As a comedian just breaking on to the scene, you are far more likely to collaborate with established talent while working at a production house. Labels with a history of successful shows may also lend your work an added legitimacy as well.A podcast for a production house (as an example) would also do wonders when establishing your personal brand.

CONTENT PRODUCTION

You could also choose to branch out into the production of content. as Antariksh Takkar did. Takkar initially joined IVM Podcasts as a producer in 2019 and was at one point during the pandemic producing a total of 13 shows. What a great way to build a portfolio of experience! Notably, for two years Takkar was the producer of Cyrus Broacha’s Cyrus Says. According to him, the experience helped him become comfortable in front of the mic as well. 

Working as a content producer will mean that you get to familiarise yourself with everything it takes to get your ideas off the ground and to the public. Take a show and make it your baby! You get to do everything, from deciding its name, to its length and subject matter. Producers are entrusted to find formats most conducive to the subject matter of the content, set up all the equipment and space required for the content to be shot, and then polish off the raw material to create a finished product, ready to get people laughing (or crying, or thinking, you don’t need to only make funny content, do you?) The job doesn’t end there, working in production also means understanding audiences and how to target them while promoting your work. It’s a great way to put yourself in the right circles while also getting a working knowledge of how to get your standup—or any creative ideas that you have—published in the best possible way.