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FCU's Site Director Comedy Tip of the Week
"The Big Comedy Question to Answer"
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Paul Douglas Moomjean
Site Director, Flappers University
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Hello Students, Comedians, and Citizens of Earth alike!
Recently, I was talking to a national headliner with a theatrical comedy special, a great reputation within the comedy and acting world, and strong point of view in his comedy act. He told me it took him 10 years to really find a voice where he was himself and not an impression of himself mixed in with influences.
This made me really think about the great existential comedy question: "Who are you?" Or, in a more personal framework, "Who am I?"
One day I was googling myself and found out there is another Paul Moomjean in the world. He lives in the San Fernando Valley, just as I do. Yet this other Paul Moomjean isn't a comedian. In fact, if any of his friends were to google him, they'd find nothing but pictures and comedy flyers of me. They would probably be very confused. What this made me realize is that while we share a same name, we have very different experiences. That is what separates us. When the people in his life refer to him, they see a very different person. It would be silly of me to try to pretend to be him. He's over 70 years old, married, and has children. I'm 38, single, and have a Big Lebowski bobble head. Yet both of us are still 100% Paul Moomjean.
The reason I mention that is because I know how comics we as comics are trying to define ourselves uniquely, but yet we so often aren't being us. We are being some version of us or a version we think people want to see, and it takes a long time to become comfortable with the name and the person becoming one.
Recently, I worked with a comic who struggles being honest with himself, so it's hard for him to tell personal jokes. He wants to just be observational. My note was, "you seem to be observing your own life instead of being a part of it." This helped him realize that he is "So And So" and it's not just that these things in life happen, but how they are happening to him.
So if you find yourself disconnecting from your own material, I suggest you ask the questions, "Who am I? And how do I feel or respond to what I'm talking about?" It seems so simple, but it's the very existential question every comic must ask to develop the voice they desire.
Here is a scene from 2003's American Splendor with Paul Giamati that tackles this very question. I high suggest you watch it.
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. W
e 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 - 1:00P
M
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
More info in a few weeks! Email to Reserve a Spot!
Sketch 101 - Starting September!
Writing for Late Night TV - Starting September!
The Writer's Room TV Sitcom Class - Starting September!
STAND UP: Persona and Character Work - Virtual Zoom Class
Why are some comedians able to take on a stylized personality on stage, and how does it affect their material? What's the difference between a comedian and somebody who just tells jokes? In this monthly class, veteran comedy coach Steve North (comedy manager for Brook Forest Entertainment) teaches the idea of 'comedic characters' and how comedians are able to find their onstage persona through the discovery of flaws and applied exaggeration, as well as how the concept of character exaggeration can be used to strengthen comedy act-outs.
August Start Date: Thursday 8/27 7:30pm-9:30pm
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.
August Start Dates:
Saturday 8/29 12pm-3pm (Level 1) 3 Spots Left!
Saturday 8/29 12pm - 3pm (Level 2) 4 Spots Left!
Tuesday 9/8 1pm - 4pm (Level 1) - Just Opened Up!
Monday 9/14 6pm - 9pm (Level 2) - Just Opened Up!
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.
PRODUCTION/BUSINESS WORKSHOPS $25.00
Working Clean to Make Some Green
Ever heard the expression "Clean is green?" In this one day workshop, Site Director Paul Moomjean explains the tricks to writing clean jokes to get bigger pay checks. Learn how the casinos, colleges, churches, corporate events and even clubs reward clean comedy. This workshop will even help you take current "blue" material and find new ways to create cleans jokes. This course will even help with social media branding ideas, sketch content, and other ways to build a brand and get paid!
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
FREE if You Use This 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, 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!
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information!
or... like Flappers University on Yelp!
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Flappers Comedy Club
Open Mics & Auditions
Open Mics
Monday - Sunday 8:30pm
$5 Donation or Comps:
Flappers Comedy Club has a fun, supportive, and nightly Open Mic for comedians in all stages of their comedy journey. We have a $5 donation button and Comp button for you to choose from, as we understand times are tight! 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 at 4pm (July only) and 6pm (Ongoing)! 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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Looking For
Burbank Comedy Festival Volunteers!
From NOW until August 22nd!
Use This Link to Sign Up:
If you are looking for a way to be a part of the 2020 Burbank Comedy Festival, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities! We will need comics, non-comics, social media experts, and everything else it takes to run one of the biggest stand up comedy festivals in the country! We are taking applicants from all over the world, because the festival will be 100% virtual! You can do the comedy god's work right from home! Just fill out the link above to learn more and apply!
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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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