Mike Birbiglia: The Art of Storytelling
Key Concepts: Storytelling in comedy, vulnerability, empathy, "so then" structure, audience connection, working it out, open sourcing, mentorship, causality, joke density, personal narrative.
The Importance of Storytelling
Mike Birbiglia emphasizes the significance of storytelling as a core element of his comedy. He contrasts it with traditional joke-telling, highlighting its ability to create deeper connections with the audience. Stories, he argues, are a fundamental way we understand ourselves and the world. When storytelling works, it's "amazing," but when it fails, it can be "brutal."
The Evolution from Jokes to Stories
Birbiglia started his comedy career writing one-liner jokes, inspired by Steven Wright. He won a "funniest person on campus" contest and studied comedians at the DC Improv. However, his perspective shifted when he participated in The Moth storytelling series. Telling personal stories, like "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend," revealed the power of connecting with audiences on an emotional level, beyond just eliciting laughter. This experience led him to focus on crafting longer, more narrative-driven pieces.
Ira Glass and the Craft of Storytelling
A pivotal moment in Birbiglia's career was when Ira Glass from This American Life featured his sleepwalking story. Glass became a mentor, teaching him the fundamentals of effective storytelling. Glass emphasizes the importance of balancing plot with emotional reflection. Birbiglia explains that Glass advised him to alternate between "a little bit of plot and then how you feel about the plot." Birbiglia's jokes serve as his way of expressing those feelings, keeping the audience engaged even during potentially slower moments.
Structuring a Story: The "So Then" Principle
A key principle in storytelling, as highlighted by both Ira Glass and Pixar, is the "so then" structure. This emphasizes causality, ensuring that each event propels the story forward. Birbiglia illustrates this with an example from his sleepwalking story: jumping through the window so then walking to the front desk so then being told to go to the hospital, and so on. This structure keeps the audience engaged and anticipating what will happen next. The goal is to avoid predictability, which can make a story boring.
Identifying and Cutting Material
Birbiglia emphasizes the importance of being selective about which stories and details to include. He typically writes three to four hours of material for a show that ends up being around an hour and fifteen minutes. The key is to prioritize stories that drive the overall theme or point, even if other bits are funny. He collaborates with his brother Joe and director Seth Barish, who provide feedback on whether a story contributes to the narrative.
"Working It Out": Open Sourcing Creativity
Birbiglia's podcast, Working It Out, exemplifies his commitment to open collaboration and feedback. He brings on fellow comedians and creative people to share works in progress and solicit input. This process models the importance of being open to other perspectives, a crucial skill for creative individuals and in life. It's a "Silicon Valley version of open sourcing," where he shares his process and invites others to learn from it.
Vulnerability and Imperfection
Birbiglia acknowledges the vulnerability involved in sharing unfinished work. Comedians often present their best material, creating the illusion of effortless genius. Working It Out reveals the messy, iterative process behind creating comedy. This vulnerability, however, has ultimately strengthened his connection with audiences, who appreciate seeing the evolution of his jokes.
The Role of Mentorship
Birbiglia emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his career. He sought out comedian mentors early on but found a significant one in Ira Glass. This mentorship shaped his approach to comedy and storytelling.
The Georgetown Phenomenon
Birbiglia discusses the unusual concentration of talent that emerged from Georgetown University around the year 2000. This included John Mulaney, Nick Kroll, Bradley Cooper, and Jonah Nolan. He notes that Georgetown is not typically a breeding ground for entertainment industry professionals, making this phenomenon particularly strange. He attributes it to a "bumper crop" effect, where a group of overachieving individuals inspires and supports each other.
The Influence of Family
Birbiglia discusses his relationship with his parents, particularly his father. He acknowledges that his father's stoicism and lack of emotional availability influenced his desire to become a performer. However, he also emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding his father as a person. He also credits his mother's loving nature and storytelling abilities as contributing factors to his comedic path.
Meeting the Pope
Birbiglia recounts his experience of meeting the Pope at the Vatican. He connects this to his strict Catholic upbringing and the sense of not talking about things. He sees his comedy as a way of breaking that silence and talking about everything.
Conclusion
Mike Birbiglia's success stems from his mastery of storytelling, his willingness to be vulnerable, and his commitment to collaboration. He has evolved from a joke-teller to a narrative comedian, creating deeper connections with audiences by sharing personal experiences and inviting them into his creative process. His work highlights the power of stories to help us understand ourselves and each other.
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