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FCU's Site Director Comedy Tip of the Week
"How To Survive Family This Holiday Season"
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| | Paul Douglas Moomjean Site Director, Flappers University and Gracie the Boston Terrier |
Hello Students, Comedians, and Citizens of Earth alike!
I sure hope you are having a great Thanksgiving today! In fact, we sent this newsletter out a little early just so you could read it while your family prepares the Zoom turkey dinner meal.
All over the country, families will be getting together virtually, and somehow, at 39 years old, I'm still being asked to sit in the kid's breakout zoom room table. WTF?
For those of you who will be seeing family in person today, I came up with a few ways to get through some of the awkward moments, considering 2020 has been the worst year on record for a while. At least since 1929. For those who don't know what happened in 1929, feel free to scroll down to see a video of how cool Flappers University students are.
Here's 5 Tips on Surviving the Fam This Year:
Tip #1 Lie About Your Year
Sure, people will ask how you've been. What are you going to tell them? That you lost your job and have two nickels in the bank? No! You tell them you got engaged to a CIA astronaut currently in space orbiting Venus to catch intergalactic criminals. Everyone will be too tired to call you a liar, and if anything, everyone will be fascinated with your sexy new astronaut significant other.
Tip #2 Touch Everything You Want To Eat
Usually, if you touch a pie, people will just slap your hand away. Not this year! The second you touch it, just yell, "I'm asymptomatic, and this pie is mine!" Not only will you get all the pie you want, you will probably not be invited back next year, and I'm sure the cruise ships will be open in 2021, and you can go to Cabo!
Tip #3 Tell Them You Voted For "The Other Guy"
Our nation is ripped in two because of politics right now, so there is a good chance your family is a house divided too. If an uncle you don't care for (regardless of political affiliation) starts to tell you about how you should have gotten married when you "were a catch," just tell them, "Yeah, well, I voted for _(Guy They Hate)__" and walk away. Even if you didn't. Because American's are dedicated to supporting a 70 year old stranger who makes empty promises over their flesh and blood. If you live outside America, just apply this to your polarizing political figures.
Tip #4 Spend All Night In The Bathroom Watching YouTube On Your Phone
Truth be told, no one will want to use the bathroom that much anyway. Just hide there all night watching clips from TV Shows and movie trailers. Trust me, you'll thank me later.
Tip #5 Bring Over A Stranger And Tell Everyone They Just Quarantined For 14 Days
Let's say you can't keep your false accomplishments straight, you hate ruining everyone's dinner, you have no idea what politics are, and your phone battery sucks. Then just bring a stranger over. Someone from the apartment, work, or an escort (think Pretty Woman or American Gigolo) to the party. Make a big deal about how sick they were last week. More than likely they will ask you to go home or go outside. Either way, you won't have to hear them question all your life choices.
There are a few tips to surviving the first round of the holidays. Feel free to scroll down to read about all the cool new classes and instructors we've added! And have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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. Please scroll down and see if any workshops or classes look like a good fit for you! Stay safe, and know that we care about you!
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Give the Gift of Comedy
Buy a Gift Card For
The Comedian or Future Comedian
in Your Life!
Save Santa A Trip Handling Heavy Gifts!
Buy A Gift Card For Your Friend To Take a Level 1 Comedy Class at a reduced rate! Only $150 instead of $195!
Once purchased, just forward them the email receipt and they can email us at Classes@FlappersComedy.com
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ONLINE Stand Up Classes and Television Writing Classes!
Last Classes of 2020 and NEW Classes for 2021!
Flappers University is winding down for the year, but we are still having a few classes and one day workshops to help you finish the year strong! With classes in Stand Up, Writing for TV, and Branding, we want you to get the info you need to take your comedy goals to the next level. So take a look at what is coming up!
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 or visit our FCU Calendar Page. 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!
UPCOMING WRITING CLASSES FOR 2021
Have you always wanted to write hilarious sketches for TV and live performance? In this
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. Taught by TV Sketch writer and performer Sarah Cornell, you'll also learn what it takes to create a successful submission packet that shows off your comedic voice!
In this 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 - this 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. Taught by WGA committee member and WGA podcast host Steve Trautmann, this this gives you an insider's guide to the writing room experience.
In this course students will learn basic late night comedy writing including the structure of monologue jokes, with the goal of becoming technically proficient, confident and comfortable submitting material to various late night television programs. Taught by David Letterman's former head writer for 5 years, Gabe Abelson, this class will focus on understand how to write jokes about political and social issues that fill the headlines! 
STAND UP COMEDY CLASSES - ALL LEVELS! $195!
We offer multiple levels of Stand Up Comedy Classes to help new and emerging comedians as well as 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 4-6 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. Plus each class has a Virtual Student Showcase!
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Level 2 Class Throwing A Surprise Birthday Party During Class. We have fun.
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New Virtual Stand Up Classes for 2021
Beginning: Persona and Character (4 Weeks)
Persona and Character Work class focuses 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. The class is taught be BEST-SELLING Comedy Coach Steve North. His book "How to KILL in Comedy" is on Amazon now!
Stand Up: Level 1 - Links Below (5 Weeks)
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 - Links Below (5 Weeks)
The Stand Up Level 2: Course is intended for students looking to advance their education past the introductory lessons of Level 1, as well as comedians with prior experience looking to gain a deeper understanding of Flappers University's structure-based approach to stand-up comedy. Students will begin to explore the psychological factors that can determine the success of a joke, and focus on learning about building assumptions, styles of punchlines, and using advanced-level comedic tools like bridges and call-backs.
Stand Up Level 3: Building the Act (5 Weeks)
Building the Act is intended for comics with a strong grasp of basic comedy technique and ample performing experience who are looking to focus their attention on particular areas of study and advanced comedy techniques, as well as improving or expanding their existing comedy material and career. Students invited to join are expected to have a strong 15-20 minutes of material to workshop, as well the desire to build out new material. Taught by Mary Gallagher (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), Level 3: Building the Act is about keeping your comedy on brand and with the clear objective of maintaining your unique Point of View.
Stand Up Level 4: Showcasing for Television and Festivals ($295)
Performing on television or before the top industry at a comedy festival is a dream all comedians share. In this 6-week class taught by Dana Eagle (Last Comic Standing), comics learn the ins and outs of getting that "tight five" and performing it correctly. The class will focus on consistency of point of view, branding, and tightening joke structure. Comics should have at least 3+ years of experience as well as over 30 minutes of material that can be looked at to generate your best five minutes before signing up.
Special Invite Only/Audition Class
Stand Up Level 4: Masterclass
Being authentic and in the moment is the goal of most working comics. Staying off script, so that you can have fun and be free from "memorizing" jokes is a skill that must be practiced and reinforced. In this 6-week class taught by Flappers Comedy Club Co-Founder Dave Reinitz, comics will be challenged to think of material from new angeles, as well as bringing in daily complaints and confessions to keep their comedy authentic. This class is by invite only. If you are interested, please email classes@flapperscomedy.com to submit a tape and brief reasoning why you would like to be in this higher level course.
ONGOING 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.
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!
FREE Joke Labs Are Back! Every Wednesday! 1pm - 4pm
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! Please feel free to sign up now!
DECEMBER:
12/23: NO JOKE LAB
12/30: NO JOKE LAB
December Last Chance One Day Workshops!
With 2020 wrapping up, we want you to have a last chance at all the workshops we've offered this year. Take a look and sign up! Only $25 a class!
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
SOCIALLY DISTANCED IN-PERSON CLASS
in the BURBANK MAINROOM
Dust off the Rust Class!
with Paul Douglas Moomjean
FU Site Director, Laughs on Fox, Dry Bar
with Joshua Snyder Flappers Booker, Hulu, Denver Comedy Works 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 comedy 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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Flappers University Writing Contest!
Best TV Pilot and Sketch Writing Contest
Submissions Due 11/28/20
This is the 1st Flappers University Writing Contest
(Submission Dates: 10/15/20 - 11/28/20). You have 6 weeks to start, finish, and/or polish a 23-44 page TV Comedy Sitcom Pilot and/or a 2-8 page sketch. The submission info is located below, and it only costs $15 to submit!
You can submit in both contests, and we will announce the winners December 12th!
The Prizes:
1st Place: $100 check and One Free Class ($295 value)
2nd Place: 1 Free Multi-Week Class ($195 value)
3rd Place: 1 Free ONE DAY Workshop ($25 value)
4thPlace: A Sense of Accomplishment and Value No Prize Can Replace
5th Place: I send you a link to the movie Rudy on YouTube
The contest will be judged by Site Director Paul Douglas Moomjean, FU instructor and comedian Teresa Lo, WGA Education Committee Member Steve Trautmann, writer and Sketch instructor Sarah Cornell, and Chicago based comedian a coverage writer Steven Haas.
We know that this is our first year, but we want to create these opportunities for two reasons. A) Because sometimes you just need motivation to write and B) It's $15 so everyone can participate, and I can give the judges money for their time.
Also, to pay off my gambling debts! Why did I bet $10,000 on the Sacramento Kings?! I'm kidding. I bet on the LA Clippers. (Go Lakers!)
Below is the link to pay through PayPal. Once you've paid $15, please email classes@flapperscomedy the receipt and a PDF version of your TV Pilot or Sketch with the Subject Line "FU TV Pilot" or "FU Sketch" - we'll send you a confirmation. Good luck!
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NEW SEGMENT:
Steven Haas Comedy Tips
We are starting a new block in dedicated to Steven Haas and his sketches about comedy and on life as a stand up comedian. Recently, his last two Tik Tok videos got almost 250K views. He's a Chicago based comedian with roots in Los Angeles.
His sketches are very funny, playfully subversive, ironic and done in a very simple style that anyone could emulate. In a world where content is king, we want to provide you with great content as well as information that can help you.
This week's comedy sketch:
Does Everyday Feel the Same?
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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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