I’ve had this idea in my head for a while now, and I thought it was time so share it with the everyone. Some of us have generated a lot of material, but we haven’t taken that next step of putting it into action. It might be creating a video for your sketch comedy, publishing the book you worked on endlessly, or simply going onstage to perform your new material. When I get into a ‘comedy rut’, I’m also guilty of not producing my best work. To get around that (and keep my creative juices flowing), I decided to interview people who are successful in this industry and ask them for advice. These are people who are who are successful at writing, producing, acting, and directing all forms of comedy. For the debut of ‘Words Into Action’, I had the good fortune of interviewing Mr. Tom Dreesen.
This year, Tom Dressen will celebrate his 44th year working in comedy. He has appeared on the ‘The Tonight Show’ 61 times, and ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ 60 times, with a periodical visit every three months. A movie is being produced based on the book ‘Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White’. This book explains how Tom and his partner Tim Reid (of ‘WKRP’ and ‘Sister, Sister’ fame) teamed up in 1968, to became America’s first interracial comedy team. They were also the last!
Tom created his one man play ‘An Evening Of Laughter & Stories with Sinatra’ based on the 14 years he spent as Mr. Sinatra’s opening act. The audience is taken on an emotional ride as Tom explains the first time he heard Frank singing at age 8 on the radio, to be becoming one of the pallbearers at his funeral. Using a combination of videos, music, and comedy – the show became a smash it. Tom explained:
“A good comedian can make you laugh for an hour and a half. A great comedian can make you laugh AND cry for an hour and a half.”
In addition to motivational speeches he delivers for corporations, Tom provides career assistance for comedians with his free seminar ‘The Joy Of Stand Up And How To Get There.’ He believes the ability to provide laughter and joy to the world is the most important job on the planet. The entertainment business can be appalling at times, and Tom reminds comedians to stay centered and not worry about the careers of other comedians:
“If you’re not centered when you are poor and unknown, if you get rich….it only makes it worse!”
“The only competition is your former self. Don’t panic – this is a lifetime marathon. There is no end to the race in comedy. We never stop learning!”
After discovering this wealth of information, I had one final question for Tom:
“What advice would you give to ‘up-and-coming’ comedians?”
1. If you’re just starting out, start where you are! Work where ever you can. Charities, fund raisers, and volunteer yourself to other events.
2. Work as often as you can.
3. Read ‘The Magic Of Believing’ – by Claude Bristol. “If you don’t believe in yourself, how will the audience believe in you?”
4. Realize no one is ever going to help you.
“You have to make yourself marketable. No one will help you until you are marketable, until they can make money from you. You have to create your act and marketability.”
5. Don’t ever quit!
“If this is your dream, if this is one you want…don’t let anyone step on that dream or get in that way of the dream. There are people in show business who didn’t have the common sense to quit. The best is yet to come! Don’t ever give up your dream!”
For additional information on Tom, please check out his website:
6 Responses to “Words into Action: Tom Dreesen”
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Wayne — Well done. Wish it was longer, but I love biography.
Just some thoughts — take them or leave them. I think this whole thing is terrific no matter what, but in case you have a chance or want to make some changes — a few constructive observations.
I especially love the first paragraph which sets everything into context and makes me really appreciate what you’re doing here. LOVE IT, make it part of your permanent headline at the top.
You mention interviewing Dreesen, but I’m wondering — did you meet him in person, put together a list of questions and submit them to him? Did you interview him on the phone?
I really wish there had been a bit more about the book, maybe a line about why they were unique, and especially the movie being produced. Such a great stories of two innovators in comedy – is it in production or just being talked about…….(I’d like to know, but it may not be clear depending on your source material).
LOVE the photos and they are well placed in the layout.
Did you link to Dreesen’s official site? Oh yes you did, well done.
I am not in love with the font or the underlined quotes. I know you want the quotes to stand out, but I think it points to how you got the content — maybe he just sent answers to questions? This looks mostly like his PR material.
Did you get a chance to see the one man play? Where was it performed and where was it a smash? Maybe a quote about Sinatra and how he supported Dreesen’s career would have been helpful (although people may have already forgotten Sinatra’s importance and image) and the fact that Sinatra would only use him, I think, sort of points to “a different time” just like his duo with Tim.
Then again, maybe that same niche could exist with Michael Buble! Taylor Swift? (shudder, forget I said that)
TYPO — If you are not centered when you ARE poor and unknown……
And WHERE and WHEN is this free seminar he offers????? This is like dropping a bomb. I guess I could go to his website, but I hope you’re getting him set up for one in your area!
I do wonder about point 4. Is “no one is ever going to help you” the same as make yourself marketable and then they will hire you? I know I was told there are no friends in comedy — I was told I was the exception — but is your point 4 really what he is saying?
OK, now I”m going to check out his website!
Best to you
Keep up the good work!
Mary
Hi Mary:
I appreciate your feedback! Normally, I try to keep my blog posts under 650 words. While I was interviewing Tom via telephone, I realized he provided me with more information than I could include in one article. We discussed how the script was approved (the Hollywood green light), and he explained how the one man play evolved. Looking back, maybe I should have broken this interview into two parts. The man has such a rich history in comedy!
The typo suggestion…thanks for the recommendation. I’m not the world’s best blogger, but I’m willing to put myself out there. Not much different from being a comedian I guess. The font and quotes were items I felt show not be missed, if someone were to skim the article (because we live in an ADD world these days). As a comic, I didn’t want those points to be missed.
I’m not sure when Tom is hosting the next seminar for comedians, but he doesn’t frequent DC often so it may be a while before we get to see him. About that fourth point…I agree with it. It took me a year to become an established local (not famous)name before things got easier for me. Using venues as one example, If I want to book a comedy showcase – I have a comedy resume, proven track record, and a dedicated following. Those were things I didn’t have when starting out, and most bar owners would reject my comedy show suggestions. But I was persistent, and I never quit! (hey…that’s point number 5!).
Thanks again for reading the article.
Cheers!
W-
P.S. I didn’t find a schedule on Dreesen’s official website but apparently he just gave one of the comic’s seminar in Chicago (my general area). I know he’s busy, but I hope he does more and soon. Maybe you could ghost-write a book version? hint hint And yes, bring us part two — why not?
Wayne. Good job. I will be glad to do another interview with you when we can work out a time. Tom Dreesen
[...] to various topics of discussion that interest you. My favorite personal example is when I interviewed Tom Dreesen. Tom mentioned his book Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White was being [...]
[...] make those tough days manageable. Find a way to connect with people or events that inspire you. Tom Dreesen mentioned how some people in this business made it because they didn’t have the common sense to [...]