--- title: "Stand-Up Tape for Bookers: A Comic's Roadmap | D.O.C." description: "A roadmap to a usable live tape: what Gotham, Bushwick and Lafayette ask for in their own words, how to film one clean take, and where to send it." url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-stand-up-tape.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · The common start · stop 3 of 5 # A usable live tape: your roadmap Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer A usable tape is one continuous take of a set, with the room’s laughs audible and you clearly in view, at the length the buyer asks for. Film with the room’s permission, check the tape against each buyer’s own page, and keep a link that opens for anyone. - **15** steps, each with its “done when” - **3** buyers, in their own words - **6** places to send it - **4** notes ready to send By D.O.C. Editorial · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) ## This roadmap, in five parts Your roadmap ## From here to a booked spot that isn’t a mic Where you are, the tests for the next stop, and the steps between, in the order most comics take them. The steps are the Career Field Manual's; mark each one as you go, and the day goes in your passport. You’re here if… ### Comic with a reliable short set - You have a five that has worked in more than one room, more than once. - Rooms you’d like to play ask for a tape, and you don’t yet have one you’d send. - You’ve recorded sets for yourself on a phone, and listened back. - You’re ready to be judged on video by someone who wasn’t in the room. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [a booked spot that isn’t a mic](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-showcase-spots.html) These are the tests that showcase and club buyers set in their own published rules. Tick each one when it’s true for you. Your tape meets each room’s rule: Gotham Comedy Club asks for clean audio and a clear view of you on stage, Bushwick Comedy Club for YouTube links only, and Lafayette Comedy for a video that isn’t set to private. [Gotham Comedy Club ↗](https://gothamcomedyclub.com/New-Talent/) · [Bushwick Comedy ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) · [Lafayette Comedy ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) You send each room the length it asks for: a 2–5 minute tape to Gotham, a recent five-minute set to Henceforth Comedy. [Gotham Comedy Club ↗](https://gothamcomedyclub.com/New-Talent/) · [Henceforth Comedy ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) A short bio and your available dates are ready to go with the tape: Henceforth Comedy asks for both. [Henceforth Comedy ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) You send through each room’s own route, and only that: BABS Comedy Club asks for submissions through its form only. [BABS Comedy Club ↗](https://www.babscomedyclub.com/Comedian-Bookings-Submissions) 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 15 steps in 4 parts, from the Career Field Manual. Each has its “done when”, a D.O.C. tool for it, and your status, note and target date; star up to twelve for your 90-day plan. #### Have a set worth taping From the Career Field Manual: Grow the act without padding. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 51–70, 115–131 and 435–455. 1. Grow the act without padding · set-01 #### Build a dependable five-minute set **Done when** Two or more performances that fit the slot. [Building a five →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-five-minute-set.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 2. Grow the act without padding · set-02 #### Prepare a separate clean five-minute version **Done when** An actual timed set, not censored placeholders. [Write a clean set →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-clean-comedy-set.html) [Clean vs. Dirty →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/clean-dirty.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. Grow the act without padding · set-04 #### Create alternate openers and closers **Done when** Two usable opening and closing choices. [Opening and closing strong →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-five-minute-set.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Film it whole From the Career Field Manual: Become the comic rooms trust, Do the first set, Assemble booking proof and Build a repetition habit. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 400–434, 71–114, 143–173, 96–114 and 415–434. 4. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-02 #### Confirm each room’s code of conduct and recording rules Ask before you film: rooms set their own rules for cameras, and some record their shows and may give you your set. **Done when** A note for rooms with different expectations. Asking the room before you film → Questions to ask before you film → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 5. Do the first set · first-07 #### Record only when the venue permits it **Done when** A recording or a note explaining why not. [How to record your sets →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-record-your-stand-up.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 6. Assemble booking proof · package-04 #### Record an uninterrupted live sample set One camera, one continuous take, from before you’re introduced to after you leave, with the laughs audible and you in the frame. **Done when** A clip showing what a buyer can expect. [Set up the tape: Stage Time’s Tech tab →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#tech) A brief for the camera → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 7. Build a repetition habit · reps-02 #### Listen to a recording without watching the screen Listen without the picture first: if the laughs don’t come through on the audio, a booker won’t hear them either. **Done when** A note on pace, clarity and pauses. [Count the laughs →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/how-to-start-stand-up-comedy.html#tool-laughs) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 8. Build a repetition habit · reps-03 #### Run a transcript through Comic Critique **Done when** The findings you choose to act on. [Read the tape in Comic Critique →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/critique.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Check it against the buyers From the Career Field Manual: Find and pitch the right rooms and Record without losing the act. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–196 and 348–382. 9. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-02 #### Separate open mics, showcases, paid bookings and auditions **Done when** Opportunity types labeled in your lead list. [Showcases, bringers and contests →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-after-open-mics.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 10. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-03 #### Verify the current submission route for three target rooms **Done when** A dated first-party booking requirement record. Where to send it, on this page → [The Club Directory →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-clubs.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 11. Record without losing the act · release-05 #### Prepare a live-set submission clip to each outlet’s rules Gotham asks for 2–5 minutes, Bushwick your best 5 as a YouTube link, Lafayette 5–10 not set to private. For a shorter ask, send one continuous stretch of the set, never pieces joined together. **Done when** A compliant clip with current requirements. The tape check → [What goes on a reel →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-demo-reel.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Put the link together From the Career Field Manual: Assemble booking proof. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–173. 12. Assemble booking proof · package-01 #### Choose the stage name used on every booking Use the same name on the tape’s title, the form and the bio: Lafayette Comedy asks for your stage name if you use one. **Done when** One consistent name across your records. [Your SUCDb record →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedian-profile.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 13. Assemble booking proof · package-02 #### Write a one-paragraph comedian bio **Done when** Current facts without inflated credits. [How to write a comedian bio →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 14. Assemble booking proof · package-03 #### Prepare a clean headshot or clear performer photo **Done when** A usable portrait with permission to share. [Headshots and credits →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 15. Assemble booking proof · package-06 #### List your proven set lengths accurately **Done when** Lengths you can deliver in real rooms. [Your log in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date ### What speeds this up - **Fix the sound first** A tape you can’t hear is a tape a booker skips. [Stage Time’s Tech tab →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#tech) - **Frame the whole act** A camera that sees your hands sees your timing. [Recording your sets →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-record-your-stand-up.html) - **Open strong** Put a dependable opener first: the first minute decides a lot. [Building a five →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-five-minute-set.html) - **Keep a clean version on tape** More rooms can say yes to it. [A clean set →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-clean-comedy-set.html) - **Keep it in one place** A record that holds your clip, bio and photo. [Your SUCDb record →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedian-profile.html) - **Know a tape from a post** A tape for a booker and a clip for fans are different jobs. [Clips for social →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-clips.html) Each week ## Your weekly rhythm here Habits, not a timetable: the atlas has no stopwatch. Keep these going, and the proof for this stop builds up week by week. - **Film when the room allows** Ask first, then film a whole set from one spot. - **Watch it like a booker** Watch your first minute with the sound on: would you keep watching? - **Check the sound** If you can’t hear the laughs, move the camera or the recorder next time. - **Keep your best take** Keep one current tape for each length a buyer you want asks for. - **Read one buyer’s page** Read one room’s submission rules again, and note any change. - **Test the link** Open your link signed out, on a phone, before you send it anywhere. What buyers check ## In their own words Each buyer's published rule, quoted from its own page, checked on 10 November 2026. They differ, so send each one what its page asks for, and read the page again before you send. A club’s published submission rules ### Gotham Comedy Club A 2–5 minute tape with clean audio and a clear view of you on stage; each New Talent Showcase comic gets a pro-quality tape of the set. - Send us a 2–5 minute tape (clean audio and a clear view of you on stage). - A pro-quality tape of their set [Gotham Comedy Club’s page ↗](https://gothamcomedyclub.com/New-Talent/) · checked 10 November 2026 A club’s published submission rules ### Bushwick Comedy Your best five minutes, as a YouTube link only, and a new submission whenever you film a set with new material. - Send us your best 5 minutes. - 5 Minute Set - Youtube Links Only - You may resubmit every time you film a set with new material. [Bushwick Comedy’s page ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) · checked 10 November 2026 A club’s published submission rules ### Lafayette Comedy A 5–10 minute video of a stand-up set, not set to private, and nothing but stand-up. - Video should not be set to private. - We are looking for a 5-10 min video of a stand-up set. - Please do not link skits/sketches or anything not standup. [Lafayette Comedy’s page ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it Places that publish how a comic’s tape gets in, each checked on 10 November 2026. Save one to your booking desk to keep its status, a follow-up date and a note. [62 places in all, on the Career Atlas →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#ways) Published route New York, NY · Showcase · Email #### Gotham Comedy Club, New Talent A 2–5 minute tape with clean audio and a clear view of you on stage, to be considered for a New Talent Showcase. **Worth knowing.** A showcase spot is stage time, not a paid club booking. [Its page ↗](https://gothamcomedyclub.com/New-Talent/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Brooklyn, NY · Club spots · Form #### Bushwick Comedy Club, out-of-town comics Your best five minutes as a YouTube link and a definite window of dates, sent at least two months before them. It books entirely from video, and answers only the comics it picks. [Its page ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Lafayette, LA · Club spots · Form #### Lafayette Comedy A 5–10 minute stand-up video, not set to private, the role you want (host, opener, feature, headliner) and references who can vouch for you. Its own examples of set lengths: a feature 10–25 minutes. **Worth knowing.** It mostly brings in national touring comics; the showcases are where it books others. [Its page ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Brooklyn, NY · Showcase · Form #### EastVille Comedy Club, Rising Stars A short bio and a performance video link anyone can open, for the weekly Rising Stars Showcase and other new-talent shows. **Worth knowing.** The form also signs you up for an alert when the next showcase is being booked. [Its page ↗](https://www.eastvillecomedy.com/submissions/new-talent) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Cleveland, OH · Independent show · Email #### Henceforth Comedy A high-quality video of a recent five-minute set and your credits: festivals, clubs, television and other professional bookings. **Worth knowing.** It can’t answer every submission; send again after 90 days with a new video. [Its page ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Houston, TX · Independent show · Form #### Comedy Space Apply to work with it: one to three video clips (YouTube or Vimeo) and your experience. [Its page ↗](https://comedyspace.com/contact/) Checked 10 November 2026 The money here ### What a tape costs A usable tape doesn’t need a crew: Lafayette Comedy tells its open-mic comics to set a phone on the stool and record, and Gotham Comedy Club gives each New Talent Showcase comic a pro-quality tape of the set. None of the buyers quoted here asks a fee to watch a tape. What to settle first is permission, and who may use the footage. **Settle before you film** - Permission to record, from the room - Who films, and whether they’re paid - Who may use the footage, and where it may be posted - Whether the room records its shows, and when you’d get your set - A link that opens for anyone, and how long it stays up Questions to ask before you film · [Road Maps: the Math of a Gig, with your own numbers](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) · [Get Paid, Get Back: the deal in writing](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) · [The IRS on gig work ↗](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work) Ready to copy ## The notes to send Fill in what you know once: it fills every note below and stays on this device. Anything left blank shows in [brackets], to fill in by hand. Your details Your name The booker’s or producer’s name The room The show’s date Where to send the file Your tape’s link The tape’s length, in minutes The buyer you’re sending to The length that buyer asks for ### Asking the room before you film ``` Subject: Recording my set on [The show's date] Hi [The booker's or producer's name], I'm on the lineup at [The room] on [The show's date]. May I record my own set for a booking tape? One camera, set up before the doors open and out of the audience's way, and only my set. If the room records its shows, I'd be glad of a copy of my set instead. Thank you, [Your name] ``` ### A brief for whoever holds the camera ``` Thanks for filming. Here's all it needs: 1. Start before I'm introduced and stop after I'm off: one take, no cuts. 2. Keep me in the frame, waist up, with my hands in shot. 3. No zooming and no moving once it's rolling. 4. Keep the camera near the audience, so the laughs come through. 5. Send me the file itself: [Where to send the file] ``` ### The tape check, before you send ``` Tape: [Your tape's link] Room and date: [The room], [The show's date] Length: [The tape's length, in minutes] minutes, one continuous take The laughs are audible: yes / no I'm in the frame the whole time: yes / no The link opens signed out: yes / no The length [The buyer you're sending to] asks for: [The length that buyer asks for] ``` ### Questions to ask before you film ``` 1. May I record my set, and with what: a phone, a camera or a recorder? 2. Where can a camera go without blocking anyone's view? 3. Does the room record its shows, and could I have my set? 4. Can I take a sound feed from the desk, or should I record the room? 5. Is the clip for submissions only, or may I post it? ``` Your proof ## Proof for your passport Tick each piece when you have it: the day goes in your passport with it. The passport keeps your whole career's record on this device, to download, print and review once a year. The evidence ### This stop is done when you have A continuous take of a complete set, with the room’s laughs audible A link that opens for anyone, without signing in A tape at the length each buyer you’re sending to asks for The tape checked against two buyers’ own submission pages, with the date The room’s permission to record, noted in your log Your status ### A usable live tape A link to your proof: a tape, a booking, a review Your private note **On your record** Nothing yet: your status changes and ticks appear here, each with its day. [Your whole passport: the timeline, your booking desk, your 90-day plan, the printable career record, the yearly review and the cloud copy →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#passport) Saved in this browser ## Next stops [The common start · The invitation **A booked spot that isn’t a mic** The first invitation is an audition for the next one.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-showcase-spots.html) [Discovery & recordings · Discovery **Post strong stand-up clips** Use recordings to show the act, not to stand in for it.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-stand-up-clips.html) ## Go deeper - [How to record your stand-up sets](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-record-your-stand-up.html) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book - [What goes on a comedy demo reel](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-demo-reel.html) From a ten-minute video to the headliner reel - [Chapter 17, Recording and Specials](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) In D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring ## Sources The buyers' rules are quoted from each buyer's own page, checked on 10 November 2026. A buyer can change its rules at any time, so read its page before you send anything. - [Gotham Comedy Club, New Talent ↗](https://gothamcomedyclub.com/New-Talent/) A club’s published submission rules. - [Bushwick Comedy, out-of-town submissions ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) A club’s published submission rules. - [Lafayette Comedy, comedian submissions ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) A club’s published submission rules. - [Henceforth Comedy, booking questions ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) A producer’s published submission rules. - [BABS Comedy Club, comedian submissions ↗](https://www.babscomedyclub.com/Comedian-Bookings-Submissions) A club’s published submission rules. - [EastVille Comedy Club, Rising Stars ↗](https://www.eastvillecomedy.com/submissions/new-talent) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Henceforth Comedy ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Comedy Space ↗](https://comedyspace.com/contact/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [The D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) The playbook's book topics, matched to the book's contents on 10 November 2026. ## About this roadmap **By D.O.C. Editorial.** This is one stop of [the Stand-Up Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html): the common start, stop 3 of 5. It's a way to plan, not a promise of bookings: it gives no expected years, its only figures are the ones buyers and venues publish on their own pages, and the buyers' rules are theirs. For how to record a set, read [How to record your stand-up sets](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-record-your-stand-up.html). Updated 10 November 2026 · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) · [Comic's Corner](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tools-for-comedians.html) · [Privacy](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/privacy.html)