(Need to know about The 69 Steps with Jon Lopez? Read this blog post about how E-Bay Power Selling 101 opened my eyes about the performance opportunities presented by Twitch).
I Miss Live Theater More Than Anything Else
I miss live theater. It’s been more than a year since my last show. I’ve been on emotional journey coping with the loss of something that had become essential to my life.
There is nothing like being in a black box theater with lights on you and your crew, center stage, as you make up some amazing piece of improv.
The pause on live theater caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic left me sad and hopeless. I’ve been doing 3-4 shows a week non-stop since 2016.
What am I going to do now? I fell into a hole and didn’t know when I was going to get pulled out.
Saved by The San Antonio Learning Annex
Suddenly, like on a rescue mission for my soul, Ricardo Feliciano came in on a spiritual helicopter called “E-Bay Power Selling 101” and revealed to me the power of live performing on Twitch, a video game streaming platform that has been adopted by comedians to do live shows.
“E-Bay Power Selling 101” saved me! I’ve written about this a few times actually, so if you want to read more about that, click here.
Basically, Ricardo, and his co-producer, Jay Light, were earlier pioneers of performing comedy on Twitch. When everyone else was giving up on performing online because of the awkward shift from stage to performing online, Ricardo and Jay found a way to make it work for themselves through “E-Bay Power Selling 101.”
Thank you for kicking down the door open for me, Ricardo and Jay!
Here’s What I’ve Learned About Twitch Shows So Far…
1). Don’t Confuse This with Live Theater
One of the biggests reasons I’ve heard from improvisers not wanting to do shows on Twitch is because it’s not the same as live theater. Or people go into it expecting an experience equivalent or near to live theater. Unfortunately, it’s not. And it never will be. Those are the only words of comfort I can offer.
However, once you stop expecting this to be live theater and lean into what it is, you’ll open yourself up to all the performance possibilities Twitch has to offer.
2). Change Your Attitude
Okay, so here’s a quote I found earlier today while searching random stuff on Google,
“Change what cannot be accepted and accept what cannot be changed,” Reinhold Niebuhr, American Theologian.
So what does that mean?
Well, let’s agree on what you can change – your attitude towards performing online.
And accept what you cannot change – that the Covid-19 Pandemic has shut down live theater for the foreseeable future and it might be a while before it comes back.
Once you can agree on these two things, performing on Twitch will be a lot easier.
I know this attitude shift will not come easy for some, and that’s fine. Everyone is different. You have to figure out what works for you. Meditate it on it and come to your own conclusion. At the very least, I encourage you all to try at it least once.
3). Embrace the Limitations
So what are your limitations here?
You have to fit your performance within the box of the computer screen, which I’m going to guess is the laptop. This is all you have.
Does this sound shitty? I could see for somehow this would be a big “No” for them, but like my man Obi-Wan Kenobi says, maybe this would be different if you looked at this situation “From a certain point of view.” (This is the blog you’re looking for).
Most of your performance will come from what you can capture with your computer camera. For the majority of people, this will be mostly your face and some of your torso. What does that mean? That means you got to amplify the parts of you the camera can see! Play bigger with your face and body! Make big choices! Just because your stage got smaller doesn’t mean your choices have to get smaller as well!
4). Invest In Your Set Up
Buy a good microphone.
Buy a ring light.
Set up a space in your home or workspace that can double as an online performance space.
Check that it has a good internet connection. If not, see what you can do to improve it.
I’m very privileged to be able to worry about these things – the technical aspect of performing online. I apologize if I came off insensitive right now for those who are struggling. If you have don’t have a lot of means, work with what you have, and see how you can make it work for yourself.
5). Treat These Shows Like Live Stage Shows
Treat these shows with the same importance you would a live show. Here are some tips to get you in that mindset.
A. Have little rituals
Something I don’t talk a lot about is how deep I’m in with my pre-show rituals. Before every live stage show, there were certain things I did to get in the right mental state to perform.
I wouldn’t eat three hours before a show. I would always have caffeine 45 minutes to an hour before showtime. I would drive a specific route to the theater. Stuff like that. Doesn’t sound like anything out of the ordinary, but it helped me get in a state to put on a show.
I’m still solidifying my “Perform from Home” pre-show rituals, but I’m getting there. For example, I make sure to have a Perrier bottle nearby to have to drink whenever I feel like I need some water. It’s not that a big of a deal, but it’s a tiny habit that nudges me in the direction of “Show Mode,” the mood I put myself in when I’m about to perform.
B. Look presentable
Back to the live shows thing. Look presentable! Comb your hair, wash your face, wear clothes you like to perform in. Put on a make up if you have to. Have your costume looking nice before you put it on. I know this sounds like a real basic note, but it’s good to remind yourself that you’re still going to be on display for people, and that it’s better to like nice when you’re going to put on a show.
C. Get Your Setup Right
Okay, so I know I already talked about this, but I want to revisit it because it’s really important: get your setup right.
Your setup is how you broadcast live to the world. What kind of microphone do you have? How is your lighting? Do you have the right background? I know these sound like simple questions, even givens for those who perform online frequently, but figuring out your setup will make performing online a lot easier.
If you can, invest in a microphone and ring light. Believe me, they will make online streaming easier for you.
D. Remind yourself that people are watching
A classic piece of writing advice that I’ve heard from multiple sources (I can’t remember who exactly) is this: don’t write something that is a waste of a person’s time.
Basically, don’t take away time from someone’s life if you can’t present them something of value. I think it’s an admonition against lazy writing and the notion that you’re entitled to an audience.
Give your all to a show and have fun like you would with a regular live show in a theater! And believe me – these shows can be fun!
6). Make It Work For You
Okay, so the only way performing online is going to work is if you make it work for you.
What does that mean?
Find a niche that fits just right. Try stuff out, experiment, reflect, and see what you like.
I’ve developed a show called The 69 Steps with Jon Lopez that is panel debate character show revolving around social media influencers battling each other for supremacy. It’s like an hour long infomercial meets Round the Horn.
The show was born from my character, Jon Lopez, who is a parody of internet marketing guru, Tai Lopez.
Jon Lopez’s spiel: “Now you may have heard of my cousin, Tai Lopez, you know, ‘The want to know how I got all these books and car guy.’ Now Tai says you got to read a book a day if you want to be a millionaire. I say Tai, you’re wrong. I say you got to read one book a day for the rest of your life if you want to be a millionaire, Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock by Sammy Hagar.” (Jon Lopez’s life philosophy and life changing character growth and development training is fully derived from the Red Rocker’s autobiography).
Jon has scoured the Earth for the world’s mastermind sellers and gurus, and he has brought them all together in one place to answer life’s hardest questions. These gurus are actually my favorite comedians that I’ve asked to come onto the show and play characters. They can play whoever they want. My only rules are 1). that they be a social media influencer, and 2). that they have something to sell. And even then, not all of them adhere to this rule!
Why does this show work for me?
The 69 Steps with Jon Lopez is mostly me and my friends playing big, preposterous, over-the-top characters giving answers that range from absurd to the sublime on some of life’s most interesting questions. It’s everyone trying to make everyone else laugh. And it’s not even competitive! It’s people doubling down on their characters, giving advice that aligns with their character’s POV, and making character discoveries along the way. People break quite a bit on the show! And that wasn’t part of the design! It just happened! But honestly, it’s the breaking that makes the show amazing. You can see that we’re having fun with each other and enjoying the pleasure of each other’s company. In the absence of an audience, we become each other’s audience, and I think that’s the secret to the success of The 69 Steps with Jon Lopez.
7). It’s Okay If You Don’t Want to Perform Online
Shocking conclusion that goes against the spirit of this article? Or well timed heel-face turn that will make you see things differently?
First off, the majority of this blog post has been encouraging you to perform online. I’m making it work for me, and hopefully some of these tips will make it work for you.
However, if it’s not for you, that’s okay.
Performing online is your choice, and whatever you choose is fine.
We’re living in a crazy moment. We’re all figuring out what works best for us in terms of coping and getting through it.
If performing online will help out with that, then by all means dive in. If performing online will only add stress to your life in an already stressful moment, then don’t do it. It’s all good.
This is about you and your artistic journey. As your fellow artist, I want to support you and applaud your decision, whichever you take.
I hope this blog post was of help to you.
Check out this episode of the 69 Steps with Jon Lopez
Back in 2020, Power Selling 101 let me do a special one off of the 69 Steps with Jon Lopez. It was a lot fun. Check it out.
Making Twitch work for me with The 69 Steps with Jon Lopez.
From Top right clockwise: Robert Souders, Fernanda Perez, Hugo Muñoz, Eric Silva, Jay Light, Me, Ally Kloster, and with Elizabeth Sofley in the middle.
