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FCU's Site Director Comedy Tip of the Week
"Workshop Jokes"
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Paul Douglas Moomjean
Site Director, Flappers University
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Hello Students, Comedians, and Citizens of Earth alike!
Quite possibly the most intimate relationship a comic has is with their comedy notebook. All those secret thoughts and complaints and observations about everything from dating, to politics, to understanding quantum physics. Wait, is that just me? Either way, one of the scariest (or thrilling) moments in a stand up comedian's career is taking those rants, jokes, and early stage concepts off the page, into our mouth, and babble it out in front of an audience. One observation I've made is that too often a joke is said the first time out loud on the stage. The only exception - the mumbling under the comics breath in the back of the room before going up.
Then upon releasing the joke unto the world, the comic realizes half-way through that this joke is:
A) Not Focused
B) Kinda Racist/Sexist/Etc.
C) They Never Wrote a Punchline
D) They start thinking about the food they ordered
One way to prevent that from happening is creating opportunities to workshop jokes. Not just open mics. At open mics people say jokes for 3-5 minutes and they wonder if things are funny based only on the laughter of comics. A workshop is where the comic tries the material and then other comics give ideas, tags, and delivery suggestions. It's not really a writing group, because it's not trying to figure out the different topics either. It's 2-3 minutes of going through a bit and then being vulnerable enough to let people take your comedic artwork and try to recolor the canvas.
Workshops are scary because no one wants to be told their joke isn't clicking. I've seen comics get defensive when people don't react completely supportive, but eventually you'll take those jokes to audiences, and trust me, better to have them critiqued in private than boo'd or heckled in public.
Another reason workshopping is helpful is because it forces you to have a plan going in. Too often we rant on stage and start saying "What else did I want to talk about?"
Recently, YouTube personality Rob Polonsky started a new series about trying new things. After trying Postmates, singing, and other activities, he came to Flappers University to learn how to workshop his rants on paper. I walked him through the same series of exercises I would in my classes or Joke Labs, and found having immediate feedback helpful. He also told me he was nervous because he wasn't sure if his jokes were even funny premises to begin with. And that's part of the journey too: The learning curve.
I highly suggest you set up some supportive workshops with feedback to strengthen your writing, joke structure, and delivery. Here are the basic steps:
1. Get a Zoom Account
2. Invite 4-8 people
3. Everyone does 2-4 minutes straight through
4. Everyone gives constructive feedback
5. Move on to the next comic
6. Call Netflix!
It's pretty simple. Don't be afraid to ask questions either. Asking questions for clarification, backstory, timelines, etc. can help a comic focus the point of view. And never be afraid to ask, "What really happened?" Truth is usually stranger than fiction.
All of this will help you develop the joke better before performing it, and I know a lot of the comics I workshop with have told me hearing it out loud and discussing the different angles has helped a lot. So I know it works. With that said, here's the video Rob made of me working with him. Feel free to watch and comment and like it.
Oh. If you feel the need to troll the comments section, may I suggest you start a workshop instead. You can even call it "I Hate Paul Douglas Moomjean Workshop." Most of my family would join it too.
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| I Become a Stand-Up Comedian |
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 17 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 (FREE)
Monday
8/10/2020 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Punch it Up Joke Lab (FREE)
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 (FREE)
Saturday 8/15/2020 1:00PM - 4:00PM
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
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 - 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
Joke Structure Workshops
ONE DAY Comedy Joke Writing Workshop (Saturdays 11am - 2pm) $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
Creating Your Podcast
There's no better way to get your 'brand' out there in the world than producing your own podcast! Right now podcasts are hotter than ever! Comedians like Marc Maron, Adam Corrolla, Kevin Pollak, Chris Hardwick and Paul F. Tompkins are basically bypassing the 'Hollywood Machine' and creating their own content and building global audiences. Now it's time for you to see exactly how easy it is to create a podcast and build your audience.
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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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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