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FCU's Site Director Comedy Tip of the Week
"Open Micer v. Comic"
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| | Paul Douglas Moomjean Site Director, Flappers University |
Hello Students, Comedians, and Citizens of Earth alike!
Stand up comedy has a lot of terminology that many people outside of the industry wouldn't really understand or care to. Corporate America doesn't use words like "guest spot" or "paper the room" or "bringer." Then there are level terms like "headliner," "feature," "opener," and "emcee." Depending on the geographical location, the opener and emcee are the same thing, whereas sometimes the feature is called the middle and the headliner might be classified as the closer. A lot of the terms are actually economically inspired, as one pays a headliner but might not pay the closer.
With that said, many young comics have asked me if there is a true line or clear definition distinguishing "open micer" and "comic." This is a great question, as there is a lot of nuances within even those words.
First off, let me say that I hate labels because they create limitations. Once someone labels themselves or is labeled as an "open micer" or "comic," there are other comics who prefer "comedian" and others that don't like the lingo at all. No matter how you want to classify comedy, as if comedy was a science textbook, if you are getting on stage, you are part of the comedy community. That makes you a comic, comedian, etc. So don't ever let a label make you feel any less (or more) than who you are.
Yet, there are stages in which a comedian goes through. You will usually start out working open mics performing 2-5 minute sets working out material and meeting other newbies, and then you'll start getting booked in bars and the small rooms of clubs, and hopefully after a few years you'll start to make a few dollars, and one day a veteran comic will give you a break opening or featuring for them. Then you'll give back the same way. And that is the Circle of Comedy, Simba.
Yet, sadly, many don't get to see the fruits of their labor because they allow labels and levels to define them, and they quit stand up to pursue something more rewarding, like a cult or worse....improv. I'm joking, but within that joke you can see how easy it is to belittle artistic effort. The stand up comedy community is no different. And in these dark times where stages are still in lockdown, we really can't have a civil war.
Even some nationally beloved comics are knocking virtual shows; yet that's easy when you have millions of dollars. For comics wanting to stay within their quarantined comedy community, the Zoom and Twitch worlds have been safe havens. They've also given friends, fans, and family the opportunity to see them tell jokes without letting travel become a burden.
Part of the problem is that we are tribal by nature, and the stand up comedy world is no different. Club comics look down at Church comics. Musical comics look down at prop comics. And everyone looks down at clean musical prop puppeteer comics. Yet I'd argue we all wish we could be Jim Henson. So, to the haters...Boom! Roasted!
Instead of worrying about of the level or genre of stand up comedy you fall into, just be you. The authentic you can hold their head up high knowing they did what they did on the (virtual) stage was what they wanted to. Then make the adjustments from there. Tighten a joke. Shorten a bit. Tag the punchline. Reword the closer. At the end of the day, what makes you a comic isn't your days, months, or years spent doing it; what makes you a comic is taking the risk to try to make people laugh on a stage or in a virtual room.
In the documentary Dying Laughing, the best comics today discuss the harsh world of stand up. In an artform where comics feel the harsh wind of antagonism from crowds, politicians, Twitter, and reviews, we shouldn't be trying to degrade anyone who is trying comedy. So if someone calls you an "open micer" as a denigration of your talent, remember that they don't define your future, just as you putting down the set before you makes you better than them.
Comedians are a rare bunch. An island of misfit toys. As we navigate the future of stand up together, let's live on this island supporting each other, instead of trying to claim our banana is better than your pineapple.
And yes, Mr. Freud, those were phallic jokes.
Take a look at the trailer from the 2016 film Dying Laughing, and wait until the end where Jerry Seinfeld gives the most wonderful definition of what makes a comedian.
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| | Dying Laughing Official Teaser Trailer 1 (2016) - Documentary HD |
Stay Safe with Your Masks and Clean Hands
Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant is still running classes and virtual shows and hopefully live comedy will be back soon. We are doing our best to ride this COVID-19 season out. Stay safe, and know that we love and care about you!
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Flappers University
SOCIALLY DISTANCED IN PERSON MAINROOM CLASS
Dust off the Rust Class!
Monday OR Tuesday Night!
with Paul Douglas Moomjean
with Joshua Snyder
With the CDC allowing for educational facilities to reopen under proper socially distancing protocols, we are offering a class in the Main Room that will allow for comics of all levels to come together and get back on a stage! This class is designed for comics with some experience. The 250 seat theater will only allow for 8 Comics, so space is LIMITED!
The 6 week class will end with a LIVE STREAM MAIN ROOM Showcase where you will will perform on stage and your friends, family, and fans can watch you through the live stream.
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Joshua Snyder
Flappers Booker
Paul Douglas Moomjean
Site Director
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ONLINE Stand Up Classes and Television Writing Classes!
If you are looking for ways to expand your comedy platform, here is what we are offering! All Stand Up Classes have an ONLINE showcase you can invite friends, family, and fans too at the end! Here's what comics from all walks of life say about FCU School of Comedy:
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| | See What Flappers University Students are Saying About Their Time Here! |
Take a look at our classes and workshops on the Flapper's University website. We have classes in Stand Up, Writing for TV, and workshops on making money, building an audience, and promoting your brand.
Multi-Week Writing Classes ($195) - Just Click the link!
In this course students will learn basic late night comedy writing including monologue, desk pieces and remotes, with the goal of becoming technically proficient, confident and comfortable submitting material to various late night television programs. Taught by David Letterman's head monologue writer for 5 years, this class also has a showcase where Gabe reads your jokes in a a ten minute set, just like Late Night TV hosts do!
In this intense six-week course, students will begin to craft their very own sitcom script in a experience designed to mimic working in an actual TV writers' room. Through a combination of lectures, examples, worksheets and exercises - as well as healthy amounts of actual writing! Taught by WGA Education Committee Member and WGA Podcaster Steve Trautmann, this fast-paced course will take students through the process of development, and using their own original characters and ideas, show them how to apply proper technique and structure that will result in a finished professional sitcom pilot script.
Have you always wanted to write hilarious sketches for TV and live performance? This
crash course you will learn the various templates of sketches (TV and movie parodies,
character driven, fake commercials, etc.) but you'll also acquire invaluable sketch
writing do's and don'ts that will help your work stand out. In order to master sketch
writing, you'll learn how to identify whether your premise is strong enough, as well as
comprehend the best structural options for your material. By analyzing some of
television's funniest sketches, including Key and Peele, Saturday Night Live and The
Chappelle Show, you'll learn what it takes to create a successful submission packet that
shows off your comedic voice. You will also have the opportunity to pitch your original
sketch premises/characters and receive professional feedback!
STAND UP COMEDY CLASSES - ALL LEVELS!
We offer Level 1 and Level 2 Stand Up Comedy Classes to help new and emerging comedians and people interested in starting stand up comedy. Classes are taught by professional working comedians who have been on television, worked in writer's rooms, and have opened and performed with the biggest names in comedy. Our classes are 5 weeks and designed to give basic fundamentals in the art form of stand up. We teach to write from a place of truth, the art of brevity, creating turns, tags, and callbacks, all in a supportive environment.
Level 1 is intended for beginners and complete newbies. Level 2 is for comedians with over 3 years experience or completed Level 1 at Flappers University.
Stand Up: Level 1 - Links Below
Level 1 looks at the basics of joke writing and performing. Have a few funny ideas? We can help you form them into timely well-crafted setups and punchlines. Don't have anything funny yet? That's fine too! We can help you "mine for material" and learn to write jokes with a strong point of view! Classes are fun, supportive, and end with a virtual showcase seen by people from all over the country! Click on the links below to sign up!
Stand Up: Level 2 - Link Below
Our Level 2 Class is designed for comics who have completed Level 1 or have at least three years of comedy experience. Comics will learn advance stand up techniques, as well as get to the heart of what they want to say. With a strong emphasis in authenticity, structure, and identity, the goal is to teach you to be true to your point of view. Taught by working professional comics, Level 2 takes comics to another level in their comedy journey. Click the link below to sign up!
Stand Up: Persona Class - Link Below
Our Stand Up Level 3: Persona and Character Work classes focus on finding and growing your 'comedic character' or "persona." You have to know your theme, what "house" you're going to live in before you furnish it with material. Explore how comedians discover their character's flaws and apply exaggeration and strengthen comedy act-outs. Taught by best selling author and long time comedy coach Steve North!
COMEDY CONTENT CLASSES ($195)
You're already on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, but are you producing the type of comedy content that can build a following and stay on brand? In this exciting 5 week class, you will be taught how to write scripts, cast, and plan out sketches and videos that can help build your online presence and create a social media brand you can share with the whole world. Taught by David P. Kronmiller, a current content creator for Flappers Comedy Club, and former CNN and Cannes Film Festival content creator.
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| | Creating Comedy Content Flappers Promo |
ONE DAY ONLINE Workshops
ONE DAY: Emcee Workshop: How To Be A Flappers Emcee $25 (12PM - 3PM)
A show emcee or host is an integral part of the success or failure of a stand up show. An emcee is responsible for keeping the energy up in the room, connecting with the crowd and getting them excited about each comic that comes to the stage. Come learn how to perfect your skills as an emcee so you can continue to get booked in this one day workshop for stand up comics. Taught by Flapper's Comedy Club Booker Joshua Snyder, this workshop is the fastest way to more time and more opportunities with Flappers! Whether you're a comedian looking to start emceeing, or an experienced emcee wanting to take your skill set up a notch, you won't want to miss this 3 hour intense Emcee workshop.
Date and Link:
ONE DAY: Marketing and Promoting Yourself (3 Classes Left in 2020!) (ONLY $25)
Are you wondering how to take your stand up comedy career to the next level? Have an act but not sure how to present yourself to clubs and bookers? Do you need promotional materials, but don't have a big budget and aren't sure where to begin? In this engaging workshop taught by Barbara Holliday (the co-founder of Flappers Comedy Clubs and comedy manager for H2F Comedy Productions), you'll learn how to go from asking for bookings to selling yourself as a unique comedy brand! You'll discover the different opportunities available in various comedy markets, and how to tailor yourself to their needs, as well as how to put together the necessary materials to pursue paid work and even create "buzz" on your own performances! Seating is VERY limited for this unique opportunity to learn what managers and comedy club owners are looking for in the talent they work with - don't miss out! Only THREE more Workshops this year!
Date and Link:
 ONE DAY: Storytelling for Comedians with Christine Blackburn $25From nearly the time children are able to understand a language, storytelling becomes an important part of their lives. However, storytelling can then become a lifetime passion, and in many ways, can play an integral role in human kindness, especially when a story becomes a gift of inspiration and healing. But what are some ways you can become a more authentic storyteller? Most are actually more obvious than you think. This one day workshop will help you convert that favorite dinner party tale into a golden yarn! Date and Link: Thursday 10/22 11am - 2pm
ONE DAY: Film and TV Acting Auditioning for Comics
Getting an acting gig is every comics dream. But do you know everything that is required and expected by you? In this one day workshop, lead by H2F Manager Barbara Holliday and special guest industry members, you'll learn how to nail the audition and beyond. The class will go over general interviews, reading sides, commercial and theatrical roles, the call back process, and so much more!
FREE Joke Labs Are Back! Every Wednesday!
Already got your set down - but you could still use help fine-tuning a bit or getting a different perspective on a new joke? Jump in this workshop and get feedback and punch-up on your set from our top instructors at FCU, and possibly some surprise guests! It's a writers group meets comedy therapy!
We ask that you do not sign up more than once every few weeks so everyone can participate! September SOLD OUT every week! Sign Up Now to get your spot!
OCTOBER:
ONGOING PRIVATE COACHING
Private Coaching (Prices Vary $50 - $125/Hour)
If you are interested in just having one on one time with one of our highly trained and professional instructors, please visit our Instructors Page to pick the instructor you want to work with. Just email Classes@FlappersComedy.com to schedule a meeting. Prices are based on instructor's rate. Email classes@flapperscomedy.com to learn more. FCU is dedicated to creating a community of comedians that can help and support each other. Therefore, if you find these prices out of your range, PLEASE email us, and we will work with you!
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Flappers University is Joining Forces with Pretty Funny Women!
A Virtual Comedy Class
Exclusively for Women!
Pretty, Funny Women creates a safe, supportive environment where women can discover, express, and develop their sense of humor. Started in 1995 by comedian and TV writer Lisa Sundstedt ("Chelsea Lately"), PFW has been a staple of the comedy community for over two decades. If you want to try stand up comedy or just gain confidence in your auditions or workplace, this is the class for you! PFW helps you develop, punch up, and perfect your material and come out of the class with an original, authentic act to take with you anywhere!
Taught by Lisa Sundstedt!
Tuesday October 13th through November 17th
6:00PM to 9:00PM PST $400 for 6 Weeks
Virtual Showcase Included!
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Flappers University Student Open Mic
Sundays 4:00pm-5:30pm
CLICK HERE FOR FREE LINK:
Flappers University School of Comedy wants to continue one our greatest traditions alive during the Apocalypse, our FREE Student mic open to current students and alumni. This supportive feedback mic is designed to help comics think of new angles and tags and set ups after they perform 5-6 minutes. Lead by PJ Baio and Teresa Lo, the mic will allow for 10 comics to sign up in advance. Considering all the students that are interested, we are asking that you try not to sign up every week, as to give others an opportunity. Upon registering, you will be sent a ZOOM link an hour before the show.
Looking forward to keeping this great mic going! |
information!
or... like Flappers University on Yelp!
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Flappers Comedy Club
Open Mics & Auditions
Open Mics are at 8:30PM
Flappers Comedy Club has a fun, supportive, and nightly Open Mic for comedians in all stages of their comedy journey. Sign up now!
Auditions For Live Virtual Shows!
If you want to be a part of our Live Virtual Comedy Shows, then drop into our auditions EVERY WEDNESDAY 6pm! Bring your best 2 minutes, and our Booker will find the right show for you! Just visit our Calendar and sign up!
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information!
or... like Flappers University on Yelp!
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Flapper's University Instructor Steve North's NEW BOOK!
How to KILL in Comedy
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Steve North the Comedy Coach, voted #1 Comedy Coach in the USA, starts by teaching you how to create your own unique comedic character for stand up, then offers the twenty best joke-writing formulas developed over 20 years in his workshops, and then helps you put it all together to work as a stand up comedian. Whether you're a beginner or advanced comedian, you need to learn the character method first. Then slay the audience, or just be funnier in life.
or... like Flappers University on Yelp!
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Longtime Flapper's Favorite Comic and Author Aidan Park's New Book
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In The Art of Being Yay!, comedian and happiness expert Aidan Park provides tools for authentic joy and empowerment sharing scandalous juicy stories from his past that "out drama" a Lifetime TV movie with tales of infidelity, death, scandal, heartache, love, friendships and betrayals!
or... like Flappers University on Yelp!
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Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Stand Up and many more comedy classes available!
For a full list:
email: Classes@FlappersComedy.com
818-845-9721
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