Aspiring Comedians Turn A Stand Up Hobby Into A Profession In Finding The Funny
Several costars from Don Barnhart's controversial documentary Finding The Funny take act on the road and turn professional
- (1888PressRelease) July 02, 2012 - The long debated topic of whether or not you can teach someone to be funny can finally be answered in the new documentary Finding The Funny as several of the student take their acts on the road turning their hobby into a profession.
The documentary stars award-winning comedian and comedy coach Don Barnhart following a group of his students in a six week class from start to showcase and features interviews with a plethora of famous and not so famous jokesters.
Upon completion of the film, the majority of Barnhart's students have taken to the road becoming professional comedians while a few have pursued other talents.
"I really look at myself as a comedy coach", says Barnhart. "I can teach the fundamentals, structure and business aspects but you really have to have a desire, talent and tenacity if you're going to make it in this business."
The film features advice from legendary comics Brad Garrett, Louie Anderson, Marty Allen and many more with the consensus being to do everything you can including getting as much stage time as possible.
Although two of the students dropped from the class and didn't make it to the showcase, the majority of the aspiring comedians are already getting work on the road both internationally and domestically.
Rondell Sheridan from That's So Raven appears in the film and advises, "Get as much stage time on different stages as possible".
The DVD is currently available at www.findingthefunnymovie.com
Since the movie, comedian John Barnes has gone out and done his first road gig while continuing to write and perform locally. His next goal is to build an hour of material and get back on the road. (with his wife's permission, of course).
Keith Lyle who appeared in the movie The Hangover has just completed his first international tour for the troops in the Middle East and has been touring and featuring at numerous clubs and is continuing to book dates…and of course hopes to reprise his role of the snarky dealer in Hangover III.
Jeremy Wieand has toured in California, Arizona, Washington and Oregon and has performed all over Las Vegas and got a job as the regular host for "Wheels Live!" Starring Michael "Wheels" Parise at The Rio for 6 months. He is currently hosting 7 nights a week for "Anthony Padilla's Happy Hour Comedy" at the King's Comedy Club inside the Rio Hotel and performs there regularly for the other shows as well.
Upon completing Finding The Funny Jim Bassett has gone on to take a writing class with Jerry Corley. The Business of Comedy class with Michael "Wheels" Parise. He can be seen occasionally doing openers around town and appeared most recently at the King's Comedy Club in the Rio Hotel/Casino. Bassett finally retired for the Fire Department, his second 20 year career and along with his wife they have started a Wellness and Wealth business to help others in these economic times to removed both physical and financial pain. Jim hopes this business will also create an income to allow him to go on the road as a comedian instead of a STARVING COMEDIAN.
Jim still has a goal of going out and entertaining the troops as a way to pay back my first career in the U.S. Navy.
Slamming Sammy has been busy performing singing telegrams. There is an agent shopping his singing telegram business as a reality show, in Hollywood and had a nice acting part in Lost in Las Vegas. He still plays drums professionally around Las Vegas and is a regular at Lola's Louisiana Café which was just featured on "Diners, Dives, and DriveIns! Sammy questions, "When does this morph into the professional stand-up career of my dreams?"
Since the film wrapped, Lou Mageloqitz has also appeared in the films "Whacked" & "Las Vegas Lights." Lou is also continuing to tour with Comedy Shows across the country.
Bernard had to drop the class but feels the class helped improv his confidence and public speaking persona.
Red is still buying and selling cars and meeting people late at night creating even more material.
The trailer has can been seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdveyCxXRC8
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