Premise
A premise in comedy is the main idea or concept behind a joke or comedy routine. It's like the foundation that comedians build their material on. Think of it as the setup that leads to the punchline. When someone mentions premise writing on their resume, they're talking about their ability to come up with original ideas for jokes and develop them into full comedy bits. This skill is crucial because it shows they can create fresh material rather than just delivering other people's jokes. Some people also call this "joke writing" or "comedy writing."
Examples in Resumes
Developed 20 minutes of original material based on strong Premise writing
Won regional comedy competition for best Premise development
Taught Premise writing workshops at local comedy club
Typical job title: "Comedy Writers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Comedy Writers
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Experienced Level Questions
Q: How do you develop a comedy premise into a full routine?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process of taking an initial idea, expanding it through personal experiences or observations, testing different angles, and building it into a complete set with multiple punchlines.
Q: How do you handle controversial premises in modern comedy?
Expected Answer: Should discuss their approach to sensitive topics, understanding audience demographics, and ability to find humor without crossing ethical boundaries.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What makes a strong comedy premise?
Expected Answer: Should explain how relatable situations, unique perspectives, and personal experiences contribute to creating engaging comedy material.
Q: How do you test if a premise will work with audiences?
Expected Answer: Should describe their process of testing material at open mics, adjusting based on audience reaction, and refining premises over time.
Entry Level Questions
Q: Where do you find inspiration for your premises?
Expected Answer: Should be able to discuss drawing from daily life, current events, and personal experiences to create comedy material.
Q: How do you structure a basic joke premise?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of setup and punchline structure, and how to build audience expectations.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic joke writing
- Understanding of setup and punchline
- Open mic experience
- Basic audience reading skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Strong premise development
- Consistent new material creation
- Crowd work abilities
- Comedy timing mastery
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced joke writing
- Material for different audiences
- Teaching/mentoring abilities
- Professional emcee skills
Red Flags to Watch For
- No original material in their portfolio
- Unable to explain their creative process
- No experience performing in front of live audiences
- Lack of understanding about audience demographics
Related Terms
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