If you can make it over that hump, becoming a full-time feature is simply putting together a jigsaw puzzle of dates, clubs, and bookers. You start out with a base of three or four clubs and bookers, and simply build. If you have 10 weeks of feature work in 2005, you hope to keep those 10 weeks and perhaps add 10-15 more in 2006. By 2007, those 25 weeks should be calling you first, as you should hopefully be among their stronger features. You can then add new dates should they not conflict with your existing dates. It is a process that gets easier as you work the same club more often, giving you more pull, a better relationship, and, occasionally, a bit more money. It is complicated, and often frustrating, as bookers often have their own set of priorities and may not always be as accomodating as you like.
Conclusion
I hope that some of you do not find this article too daunting, or even too pessimistic. I am simply being honest -- becoming a full-time comic is a long-term, high-energy, high-risk proposition. As I always say, I certainly feel this profession offers enough rewards to more than compensate for that fact -- but it's good to go into the business with your eyes open.
Until next time, keep 'em laughing...
