It's open mic night, and the MC is bathed in white light as he steps on the stage to introduce a new comic. The next performer is a 28-year-old OSU student who has been doing stand-up for five months and recently started a Web-based series.
"Please put your hands together for a very funny man, Dan Wilburn," the MC said.
In Wilburn's time of contributing to the Columbus comedy scene, he has appeared in many open mic nights, been a finalist in Columbus' Funniest Person Competition at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, and has three completed episodes of a series he hopes to upload weekly online called, "Columbus News InsideHer."
Wilburn recalls the stage being a place of intimidation.
"I remember just going up and thinking how bright the light was," said Wilburn. "It was so distracting that I didn't even see anything else. It was just this one bright light."
Now, Wilburn handles the stage fine when he makes weekly visits to open mic nights at bars such as Surly Girl Saloon and Byrne's Pub.
Wilburn greets the audience members who are ready to laugh, and he warns the others to get with the program. He stands over 6 ft. with confidence. His jeans and button shirt fit well onto his slim figure. He carries the mic with his right hand and motions with his left as he stands in place.
Across his left forearm, just past the elbow, is a tattoo. "Today this is my life."
Wilburn explained the risk of doing comedy.
"Taking a memo and making it into a story or a joke or a premise that’s funny, and then going to tell it on the stage and having it work is really rewarding that it offsets the absolute horror of having jokes that don’t work," Wilburn said.
Before the show begins, Wilburn talks to other Columbus comics who are working on their set lists. They encourage each other, and try to find the best way to attempt new material.
There are far more Columbus comics than comedy venues. The Funny Bone being the biggest, if not only venue, that many Columbus residents know.
"I didn't even realize Columbus had a comedy scene going on and I didn't realize there was so many comics participating in it," said Wilburn's roommate, Diana Banas, 21. "Especially the first time I went out to see Dan perform at Surly Girl there were several other acts, at least…25, somewhere in there."
In January, Wilburn posted the first two episodes of his Web-based series, "Columbus News InsideHer." The series is formatted in the style of "The Daily Show," a Comedy Central satirical program drawing inspiration from, and mocking, recent news. Another influence is "The Onion," which bears a similar sarcastic tone towards news and also creates exaggerated stories for comedic purposes.
The viral videos do not have as many viewers Wilburn would like, but he enjoys making them and is looking for partnerships to help boost the audience.
Dave Siegel, 34, a professional comic for 6 years, said uploading videos is “an easy way to spread the word about yourself these days.”
Siegel has made short films himself and has his own interactive Web-based series called "Dave & Jay Tell You Things."
"I really love doing short film, because I kind of think that's the way of the future with the YouTube age and Funny or Die," said Siegel. "It's just such an (inviting) medium where someone will take five minutes out of their day and watch a funny video."
Wilburn records and edits the videos himself. His bedroom is his studio. In the room, his bed takes half the space while a green screen takes up the other half.
The entrance of Wilburn's house is surrounded by CDs, vinyl records, CD players, and record players. At the far end of the entrance way is a large table surrounded by sound equipment often used during Wilburn's band days.
Before Wilburn pursued comedy, he was a guitarist playing with other musicians and helping with the recording aspects. His talent with sound equipment would also help him freelance for events to earn money.
In 2007 and 2008, Wilburn redirected himself towards animation and script writing. The plan was to create a stop motion series using photographs with friends. However, the project, "Life Sandwich," never surpassed test footage.
But Wilburn never stopped writing. He eventually wrote material fit for stand-up and became determined to give it a try.
Months later, Wilburn is happy with how things are going. He keeps a journal full of details about his performances, jokes used, and audience response. He always wants to improve himself and move forward.
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