Quotes & Lessons from "Comedian"

On the flight back to Japan last week I watched the DVD "Comedian" again, this time while jotting down notes and quotes from the film. I put the quotes in a Slideshare below. This Slideshare is not meant to be a presentation — I'm simply sharing with you some of the new slides I'm working on as I prepare for new talks. Perhaps a quote or two from this deck will be useful for you.

1. A few quotes from COMEDIAN The documentary

2. Don’t feel 100%
comfortable presenting?

3. Don’t feel 100%
comfortable presenting? ...You’re not alone.

4. You’re never really
comfortable. Even though
you may think you are...
you really aren’t.” —Jerry Seinfeld “

5. It’s so f***ing
hard to get
comfortable!” “ —Jerry Seinfeld

6. Just you and a microphone

7. This ain’t
easy stuff! Just you and a microphone.

8. I never felt pain until I
started doing comedy.”
“
—Orny Adams

9. No matter
who you are —
you still have to
deliver the goods.

10. No matter
who you are —
you still have to
deliver the goods. You can’t fake it!

11. That’s the beauty of
stand-up: it’s the
closest thing to justice.” “ — Colin Quinn

12. Where do you get
the material that
really connects
with people?

13. The best comedians in the
world are the ones who get
their material from their
heart and soul.” —George Shaperio “

14. You must know
your stuff cold...

15. and believe in it!You must know
your stuff cold...

16. If you're not 100%
behind it you can't sell it.”
—Orny Adams
“

17. First minutes
are critical!

18. You always need to
establish yourself,
establish the audience.” “ —Jerry Seinfeld

19. No excuses (ever). You will fail sometimes, but....

20. Every comedian has a #@!&*%
excuse. I make no excuses:
I just wasn’t good.” “ —Jerry Seinfeld

21. It’s hard, but in time...

22. You learn how to
open, how to sustain,
how to pace...” —Jerry Seinfeld “

23. How long does it
take to feel
comfortable?

24. It takes years...” — Jay Leno “

25. How do you get
comfortable?
By doing!
QUESTION:
ANSWER:

26. If you don’t do it,
you won’t have it.” — Jay Leno “

27. If you want to
improve your art,
keep doing your art.
Note to self:

28. or as a great master once said...

29. Do - or do not do.
There is no try.” — Yoda.
“

30. Do.
Do not do.
Try.
Source: GraphJam.com Your options according to Yoda.

31. The lessons for
presenters are
everywhere.
Redux:

32. Many lessons
can be found
here.
And a few
here too.

33. End.
Presentation Zen