MC Bonestorm
This Saturday night I'm MC'ing a wedding for some in-laws. This is not the first time I've MC'd a wedding, in fact it's the third. I have a very tried and tested method for approaching MC gigs.1. Set stupidly unrealistic expectations about how funny I'm going to be.
2. Panic about point 1.
That's it. That's my strategy. Somehow it has worked in the past.
I'd be fine if all I had to do was get up and introduce people. Unforunately it's not as simple as that. People ask me to MC because they've seen me speak before, and because they've found me funny. And it's very flattering, don't get me wrong. But I can't help but feel a bit of pressure to bring the house down.
I guess most of these pressures are internal as I set high standards for myself, but that doesn't make things easier to cope with.
By nature I'm an introvert, I'd much rather be out of the spotlight than in it.
Anyway I'm trying to feel confident about it, and trying not to think about it too much. Not thinking about it too much at all. Apart from the fact that I rehearse the whole thing in my head about 3 times a day so I know it flawlessly. E.g. on the drive to work the radio has been off for the last two weeks as I go through it; I mutter to myself in the shower as I go through it; walking around work... but apart from that I'm not thinking about it. Not at all.
And this sounds neurotic but I think it's a necessary part of me dealing with the stress of it. I have to convince myself that I know it perfectly.
I know that on the day I'll be as nervous as hell but I guess that helps get me 'up'. It's an awesome feeling once it's over and everything has gone well, so I'm looking forward to that part of it.
And on the bright side, if I totally screw this up the demand for my services should quickly plummet.
I reckon you'll do well. Intense preparation helps (although maybe not so good for your blood pressure?) and you are genuinely amusing. What can possibly go wrong??!! :)
Posted by
MadameBoffin |
11:47 AM
Maybe you should be attending Toastmasters. I have been considering joining the local branch.
Posted by
Huggies |
12:59 PM
pfft! A Warcraft playing introvert? Whoever heard of such a thing?
Maybe you could propose lots and lots of toasts in the early part of the evening, so everyone is too sozzled to notice whether you're good or bad.
Anyway, I've been to a lot of weddings courtesy of my hospitality days. Unless you get really drunk and attempt an "artists impression" of the wedding night on top of the bridal table after insinuating that the groom should have married one of the bridesmaids, you have no chance of being the worst MC ever. So the only way is up, really!
Posted by
Sherd |
7:53 PM
Never new MCs take so much time preparing for the night. You guys look so calm & at ease I thought it was a natural talent.
Posted by
Stavanger |
7:20 AM
It's a catch 22. I always get asked to do wedding photography, and I think if I botch it up, I won't get asked again. But I don't want to give myself a bad reputation and ruin it for them. One day I'll just say "no, I'd rather be a guest!"
Posted by
ChickyBabe |
10:00 AM
Boff: you're right, nothing can possibly go wrong. *gulp*
Huggies: I do speak well in front of people. I just don't particularly enjoy it. :D If you do join Toastmasters let me know and I'll come and heckle you.
Sherd: the artists impression thing sounds like a winner. I think I'll incorporate it into the act. :p
Charlemagne: I'm probably a lot more obsessed than most MCs. I'm sure the majority get by with much less prep than me. ;)
Chickie: I did actually tell my friends that I retired from MC'ing after the last one. Problem is I didn't tell my wife's side of the family.
Posted by
Bonestorm |
4:03 PM
I think you'll be fine. The stuff you write on your blog is funny so I don't think you'll have any problem.
It can't be as bad as the time I almost forgot to give my best man speech.
Posted by
Citizen_Stu |
5:42 AM