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FCU's Site Director Comedy Tip of the Week
"Networking in the COVID19 Era"
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Paul Douglas Moomjean
Site Director, Flappers University
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Hello Students, Comedians, and Citizens of Earth alike!
With the Burbank Comedy Festival happening from August 9th - August 22nd, I thought I'd share a few networking trends I'm finding works in this COVID19 era of comedy.
We run around 10-12 multi-week classes at one time, and then there are numerous one day workshops and joke labs. We actually have 19 workshops and numerous panels over the next two weeks.
What I'm finding is that comics, writers, and new students are using these experiences as ways to network and expand their comedy stratosphere across cities, counties, states, and even countries! Our writers, comedians, filmmakers and new students have made connections with people all over the globe. The virtual workshops allow people to feel more comfortable immediately and ready to share jokes, ideas, and general comments.
The normal fears of "first day of class" syndrome leaves quickly, and soon people are interacting, sending private chats, and requesting social media information. This is the type of networking new and younger comics should be most vested in. Sure, we all want to meet a network executive, but to lay down the framework of basic relationship building first is the core of solid networking.
So far, people in our classes have swapped virtual shows, been on each other's podcasts and live streams, started writer's groups, and developed social media relationships that involve sharing material and creating a real online community.
With many agencies shut down, in-person networking groups canceled, and life put on hold, the virtual world is limitless with a free Instagram account or a $15 Zoom account. If you are finding yourself stagnate right now, get out into the closest thing we have to Ready Player One and start a virtual group. I saw a few comedy friends go beyond the Zoom show and create Zoom TV Shows and game shows!
Networking is how you choose to connect with the world you inhabit. Over the next two weeks 250+ comics will be showcasing their stand up talents, but they will make new friends, meet industry professionals still looking for talent, and most importantly building friendships.
At my job here, I see myself as the site director of both classes and workshops, but more important I see my responsibility to play facilitator for a group of artists committed to learning more, expanding their current wealth of knowledge, and playing the part of the orchestrator, developing life long personal and business based relationships. And while networking is limited to business terminology, what we hope to provide over the next two weeks at Flappers is an opportunity - an opportunity to make the rest of 2020 something special, especially after the last six months of so much uncertainty.
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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EVERY Burbank Comedy Festival Workshop and Class
August 9th - August 22
We are excited to announce our FULL Virtual Workshop Schedule for the 2020 Burbank "Covedy" Festival. With 18 different workshops taught by people who are working professional comedians, managers, agents, writers, directors and other members of the comedy and industry world, this year will be one for the ages!
All classes are two hours long, run through a virtual Zoom room, and with a few exceptions are only $25! We also set it up so no classes run up against each other, so you can take all 18 and not have them conflict with shows, panels, or other fun virtual events! Sign up now! These will sell out! You can also buy a seat to EVERY CLASS for $325 which is a $100 in saving!
ONE DAY ONLINE Workshops (Zoom Links Sent Later)
WRITING CLASSES ($25 Each)
Freelance Writing For Money
Wednesday 8/12/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Writing Your Comedy Movie
Friday 8/14/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Sketch Comedy 101
Tuesday 8/18/2020 - 4:00PM - 6:00PM
STAND UP COMEDY CLASSES ($25)
Comedy Joke Writing Workshop
Sunday 8/09/2020 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Punch it Up Joke Lab
Monday 8/10/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Link: SOLD OUT ALREADY
Punch it Up Joke Lab
Wednesday 8/12/2020 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Link: SOLD OUT ALREADY!
How to be a Better Emcee
Thursday 8/13/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Punch it Up Joke Lab
Saturday 8/15/2020 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Link: SOLD OUT ALREADY!
Find Your Comedy Persona
Thursday 8/20/2020 4:00PM - 6:00PM
PRODUCTION CLASSES ($25)
Producing Your Own Live Online Shows and Albums
Tuesday 08/11/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Creating Your Web Series
Tuesday 8/18/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Creating Your Own Podcast
Wednesday 8/19/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
BUSINESS OF COMEDY CLASSES ($25)
Power Networking For Comics w/ Heather Hale ($49 - Special Event)
Sunday 08/09/2020 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Marketing and Promoting Yourself
Sunday 8/16/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Getting Booked on the Road (and Zoom)
Monday 8/17/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Social Media in Cancel Culture
Monday 8/17/2020 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Commercial Acting for Comics
Thursday 8/20/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
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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ONLINE Stand Up Classes and Television Writing Classes!
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| | Students taking a break during class. Humor is key. |
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 invites friends, family, and fans too at the end!
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.
Not sure how it works? This is what our classes look like:
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Flappers University Online Comedy Class Demo
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Multi-Week Classes ($195)
WRITING CLASSES
TV Sitcom Writing Thursday 9/03 - 10/08 7PM - 10PM
In this fun six-week course, students will begin to craft their very own sitcom script in a classroom experience designed to mimic working in an actual TV writers' room. Through a combination of lectures, examples, worksheets and exercises - as well as actual writing! - this course will take students through the process of development by 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.
Sketch Comedy 101 Tuesday 9/08 - 10/06 6PM - 9PM
Have you always wanted to write hilarious sketches for TV? This crash course, created and taught by an Emmy Award-winning Saturday Night Live writer will not only teach you 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, you'll learn what it takes to create a successful submission packet that
shows off your comedic voice.
Late Night TV Writing Monday 9/14 - 10/05 7PM - 9PM with Letterman Head Writer Gabe Abelson
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!
STAND UP: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 - Virtual Zoom Class
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.
Start Dates:
Level 1 Saturday 8/29 - 10/3 12PM - 3PM (Skip Labor Day Weekend) 2 Spots Left!
Level 1 Tuesday 9/08 - 10/06 1PM - 4PM
with Paul Douglas Moomjean (Site Director and Laughs on Fox/Dry Bar Comedian)
Level 2 Saturday 8/29 - 10/3 12PM - 3PM (Skip Labor Day Weekend) 1 Spot Left! Level 2 Tuesday 9/15 - 10/13 6PM - 9PM with Joshua Snyder (Flapper's Booker!)
Level 3: Branding and Business Wednesday 9/02 - 9/30 6PM - 9PM with Barbara Holliday (Flapper's Owner and Comedy Manager!)
Level 3: Persona Thursday 8/27 - 9/24 7:30PM - 9:30PM with Steve North (Best Selling Comedy Author!)
Level 4: Showcasing for Late Night and Festivals ($395) Wednesdays 10/7 - 11/11 7PM - 10PM with Dana Eagle of Last Comic Standing (Get that 5 Minute Set Ready to Submit to Late Night TV and Festivals)
Joke Structure Workshops
ONE DAY Comedy Joke Writing Workshop $25.00
In this one day workshop, a Flappers University Instructor will walk through joke writing structure, mining for material, and how to deliver a punchline to maximize the laughter from the audience. Comedians make it look easy, but there is an art form behind stand up comedy, and this workshop focuses on those principals.
FREE Joke Labs Are Back! Every Wednesday! No Charge!)
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! We ask that you do not sign up more than once every few weeks so everyone can participate!
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 Student Open Mic
Sundays 4:00pm-5:30pm
NO MIC FOR TWO WEEKS DUE TO BCF. RESUMES ON 8/23
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, 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 8/9 - 8/22
12pm & 10pm
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!
NO AUDITIONS UNTIL 8/26
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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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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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