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submissions

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The Elysian Is Taking Pitches for Original Shows for Their Next Spaghetti Festival
June 23, 2023
News
open call, spaghetti festival, submissions, the elysian

Last year, The Elysian took on its very first festival, which is daring as is in a city with a veritable festival’s worth of comedy on a nightly basis, The Forget About Spaghetti Festival debuted so many amazing, original, never before seen shows that included some of the very best things that we saw on stage in 2022.

The Elysian is doing it all again with what their now calling The Spaghetti Festival and going through the whole beautiful process once more by opening submissions to any and all for shows that are, “…interactive, solo or group performances that are driven by an interesting or unique concept or story.”

They’ll be picking ten shows to make up this year’s Spaghetti Festival and all shows selected, “…will receive a performance slot, promotional support, creative development assistance from our committee of artists and producers, & more.” Also, if picked, your show will be part of what is pretty much still the ground floor of what could very well become a much needed lightning rod in the LA comedy scene.

Get more details and submit at elysiantheater.com/spaghetti. Oh yeah, the deadline is Jul. 9th at 11:59PM PT. Hopefully, if you don’t have an idea already, the fireworks on the 4th will kick your frontal cortex into high gear.

 

The Yes, And… Laughter Lab Is Looking for Comedians Who Want to Make a Social Impact
February 4, 2022
News
open call, social justice, submissions

It’ll be a never ending debate as to whether a joke can actual change the world for the better. Certainly, comedy can demonstrably start a conversation (ex. Joe Rogan and disinformation via his podcast). Also, comedians who are also activists can give a comedic bent to their activism (ex. Lizz Winstead and Abortion Access Front/Feminist Buzzkills).

Wouldn’t be it great if that happened more often?

Cue the Yes, And… Laughter Lab, an incubation and training program that seeks out diverse comedy folks that are looking to make a difference in the world with their work. They’re accepting submissions for their program that will offer pitch training, development of whatever comedy project and initiative is accepted, opportunity to connect with philanthropists, social justice orgs, and entertainment industry leaders. Oh yeah, there will be some cash for finalists ($2000) as well.

FYI, applications are due Feb. 18th at 11:59PM ET/8:59PM PT. Finalists will be notified on the week of on Apr. 4th.If you’re intrigued, find out more and apply at yesandlaughterlab.com.

The Pack Theater Is Coming Back Next Month! (and Is Accepting Submission for Live Shows)
February 3, 2022
Uncategorized
improv, live comedy, los angeles comedy, open call, pack theater, sketch comedy, stand up comedy, submissions

Pre-pandemic, you could often find us more than once a week at tiny, but mighty comedy venue known as The Pack Theater. Founded by legendary improviser Miles Stroth, it was a great place for in-betweeners, experimenters, risk-takers, and comedy folks who had that DIY/punk rock spirit to what they wanted to do in the art form. That really resonated with us, which is why we ended up catching some of our favorite shows there as well as coming on board to produce the micro-short-form variety show, Speedface.

That’s why we’re overjoyed to hear that The Pack survived all the way to this side of the pandemic, especially being one of the pioneering venues when it came to transitioning to virtual comedy, and they’re going to reopen for in-person shows back in Hollywood starting next month.

In fact, they’re accepting pitches for new shows right now.

Think about/keep the following in mind when considering applying:

-Slots will be available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights with the possibility of having a Saturday night slot as well.

-All applications will go to the Artistic Committee for evaluation. We are especially interested in shows that come from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and all traditionally marginalized voices.

We are looking for the the following types of shows including, but not limited to:

-Stand Up shows (roast shows, open mics, booked shows with a hook)
-Improv based shows with a hook or theme
-Variety shows
-One-off shows to be featured on 5th weeks (one person shows and comedic theater type shows welcomed)
-And of course the random weird wtf shows that we love at the Pack

If interested, read up more and apply here.

Keep up to date with everything Pack Theater related @packtheater across socials.

Rizzle Is Holding Another Short Form Video Contest, This Time for the New York Comedy Festival
October 27, 2021
News
new york comedy fest, open call, rizzle, short film contest, submissions

Of one of the many apps where you can do short form content these days, Rizzle is offering you yet another (they did a contest for Asian Comedy Fest) chance to take those short form comedy video skills and win up to $1000 in prizes and a slot at a New York Comedy Festival showcase next month.

Specifically, you must have/download Rizzle and post a 60 second video that sums up that classic notion “Only in New York” with the hashtag #makeNYlaugh. The five best videos will be prize winners and then be screened at the exclusive New York Comedy Festival Rizzle Showcase at Asylum NYC on 11/14. Just take a gander at the flyer below and you ought to know it’s a marvelous grand show to be on.

The deadline to submit is Mon. Nov. 1st and it’s free to enter and you can submit from anywhere in the country. So, go get Rizzle and come up with your bit about the train, rats, Manhattan still acting too good for Brooklyn, etc.

SF Sketchfest Announces Dates for 2022, Open Submissions, and Will Require Proof of Vaccination
August 24, 2021
News
improv, open call, podcasts, sf comedy, sf sketchfest, sketch comedy, stand up comedy, submissions

SF Sketchfest snuck in one of the last big festivals in 2020 right before lockdown and then went virtual for 2020 and, we’re glad to say, is back for a full-fledged, in-person festival for 2022.

Specifically, one of the world’s foremost comedy festivals, both in duration and depth and variety of comedy, will be taking place from Jan. 7th-23rd, 2022 all throughout San Francisco. Even though that’s a ways away, you’ll be glad to know that they’re taking proper precautions by requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for everyone involved including attendees, performers and staff.

Tickets go on sale in November, but, more importantly, you can submit for consideration be part of the SF Sketchfest (and they pretty much accept any and all types of comedy) up until midnight PT on Oct. 15th.

Get more details, submit, and more at sfsketchfest.com

Gallery 1988 Is Now Taking Submissions
August 31, 2020
News
gallery 1988, open call, submissions

One of our favorite art galleries in all of LA (and what might be the preeminent pop culture art gallery in the U.S.) is Gallery 1988 as it is one of a handful of places where art and comedy very directly intersect. They’ve hosted exhibitions of art dedicated to anything from The Simpsons to SNL to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to classic stand-up comedy and so much more.

Now, in these times, they’re taking a big leap by announcing an open call for submissions for the next few shows coming up. Just send 3-4 JPEGs or link to site to info@gallery1988.com and if they dig your stuff, they’ll reach out to you within four weeks.

If you have a penchant for making wonderful, curious, amazing art that’s very likely inspired by something in pop culture, you really ought to submit.

View this post on Instagram

We’ve only done this a few times in 17 year history – but we’re calling for submissions! We know more artists are home creating than ever before and we have some great shows coming up. Please send 3-4 JPEGs or a link to a website to info@gallery1988.com (no theme needed). We can’t respond to everyone, but if your work fits for an upcoming exhibit – you’ll hear from us within 4 weeks. THANKS!!

A post shared by Gallery 1988 (@galleries1988) on Aug 31, 2020 at 11:27am PDT

DCA LA Now Accepting Submissions for COVID-19 Emergency Response Program for Individual Artists
August 13, 2020
News
artist grants, covid 19 relief, department of cultural affairs, los angeles, submissions

For the past few months, Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs has been issuing grants for various art programs and organizations specifically affected by COVID-19. As of this week, they’re now opening up this fund that was initially earmarked from public arts events that, of course, can’t happen the way they were originally conceived.

$340K has been set aside for this specific initiative, awarded to individuals at up to a one-time grant of $1500, “must be willing to make their artworks and services available through real-time, virtual and online platforms, and in some instances the artwork may appear in a physical public space.”

The breadth of who can apply is pretty wide (and definitely can include comedy in so many ways). They’re looking for submissions from “any person who works greater than quarter-time for income as a creative producer (actor, animator, craft-maker, designer, dancer, DJ, literary writer, musician, painter, poet, photographer, playwright, sculptor, videographer, etc.)”.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 1st at 11:59PM. Get more details and apply here.

Channel 101 Is Taking Submissions for 5 Minute TV Pilots Again
August 4, 2020
News
channel 101, open call, submissions

The mighty indie short form TV institution known as Channel 101 (pretty much the birthplace of Rick & Morty FYI) has kept themselves going throughout lockdown, despite not being able to have their renowned monthly screenings. They’ve screened entire series from their archives, taken up audio pilots, and even done micro versions of a normal Channel 101 program via Twitch.

Now, with several months having passed in quarantine, they’re now ready to take on doing a full-length, virtual Channel 101, which means that they’ll be accepting brand new 5 minute or less pilots to enter the Channel 101 fray.

The deadline to submit is by Aug. 25th at submissions@channel101.com. The screening will take place only a few days later on Sat. Aug. 29th. Find out more about Channel 101 at channel101.com .

View this post on Instagram

With the power of the internet we're BACK! Channel 101 will have it's first live stream screening Saturday, August 29th on our twitch channel (twitch.tv/channel101official) Submit your 5min or less pilot to submissions@channel101.com by August 25th and check out the current Prime Time line up at channel101.com

A post shared by Channel 101 (@channel101official) on Aug 3, 2020 at 5:24am PDT

Ruby LA Queer Comedy Festival Is Going Virtual and Taking Submissions
May 28, 2020
News
comedy festival, lgbtq, ruby la queer comedy festival, submissions, the ruby la

As you well know the fate of festivals in these times are far off, some all the way in 2021, due to the necessity of social distancing in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, many innovative minds persist and devise other ways to safely hold a festival and highlight performers that deserve the spotlight. One such festival is The Ruby LA Queer Comedy Festival as they are going to hold their annual LGBTQ focused fest, but will do so by live-streaming NEW, pre-recorded material/performances/sketches from the best LGBTQ voices in comedy.

Right now, they’re taking 3-5 videos submissions for:

  • Stand-up
  • Story-telling
  • Sketches
  • Songs
  • Characters
  • Rants
  • Performance Art
  • Or any funny thing you can think of to submit

The deadline to submit is Jun. 7th at 11:59PM PT and The Ruby LA Queer Comedy Festival will be live-streamed on Jun. 14th, then posted on Jun. 15th.

Submit and get more details here.

The Ruby LA Queer Comedy Festival 2020

Channel 101, Renowned LA Short Form TV Series, Is Now Taking Submissions for Shows That Are 30 Seconds
April 8, 2020
News
channel 101, short films, submissions

Channel 101 stands as kind of a local legend here in LA, the birthplace of such wonderfully weird cultural juggernauts as Rick & Morty. It is, and has been for several years, a competitive short form TV competition that has cultivated such an innovative and tightly knit community that makes some of the best, genre-bending, fiercely independent series that have ever been made.

Certainly, this is one of those things in LA that we’d very much like to keep around/going. As movie theaters are still very much closed right now, namely their home theater The Downtown Independent in DTLA, they can’t really go about business as usual.

So, instead of sourcing 5 minute pilots and shows that have been renewed from the previous month by vote, they’re doing a condensed version of Channel 101 that is look for 30 second shows to feature virtually for their Channel 101: Hot 30 Virtual Screening.

If you’re up for it, you have until Wed. Apr. 22nd to submit your 30 second show to 101hot30@gmail.com.

View this post on Instagram

No April screening but the HOT 30 IS BACK!! Submit your original 30-second micro show by April 22nd to 101hot30@gmail.com #CHANNEL101 #hot30

A post shared by Channel 101 (@channel101official) on Apr 7, 2020 at 10:32am PDT

Atlanta’s Laughing Skull Comedy Festival Now Taking Submissions for 2020
August 28, 2019
Uncategorized
atlanta, comedy festival, laughing skull festival, open call, stand up comedy, submissions
image

The Laughing Skull Comedy Festival has been going for over a decade down in Atlanta, GA via The Laughing Skull Lounge and has worked its way to be one of the most respected comedy festivals in the country.

They’re gearing up for their 2020 run and are now taking submissions for stand-up comedy here.

Deadlines and fees are as follows:

Early deadline-submit by October 20th-$30​
Regular deadline-submit by October 21st – December 22nd-$40
Final deadline-submit by ​December 23rd – Feb. 24th-$50

Their picks for the festival will be announced Mar. 9th, 2020. Go get all the info and submit for The 2020 Laughing Skull Comedy Festival here.

The First Ever Southland Comedy Festival Is Taking Submissions for Stand-Up
June 27, 2019
Uncategorized
comedy festival, los angeles, open call, southland comedy festival, stand up comedy, submissions
image

Finally, someone is giving another shot at throwing a legit comedy festival in LA.

The Southland Comedy Festival, set to debut Jan. 7th-11th, 2020, will feature the best stand-up they can find in and throughout the LA scene at comedy clubs, bars, underground venues, and more. For specific showcases, they’re really try to go out of their way for industry execs and reps to be see bright, shiny, new stand-up talent that ought to be elevated.

All you need is a 5-7 min. tape to send and $35 submission fee (until July 25th, then $45 until August 25th, $60 until October 25th) for consideration. If you’re interested in submitting, do so here.

Get more details in general about the first Southland Comedy Festival here.

Stand Up NBC Returns to Find Stand-Up Talent Across America
March 21, 2019
Uncategorized
los angeles, open call, stand up comedy, submissions, talent search

Stand Up NBC Returns to Find Stand-Up Talent Across America

Stand Up NBC, the annual nationwide search by NBC for diverse stand-up comedy talent is happening again over the next several months with open calls in Chicago, Los Angeles (that’ll actually be in Oxnard for some reason-so get ready to drive for that one), Nashville, New York and Seattle (Bellevue). You can also submit a short clip as well within the given window of dates based on your location.

Los Angeles dates are as follows: 

Online Submission Window: May 13th – May 31st
First Round Open Call: July 8th
Semi-finalist Showcase: July 9th

You’ve got time to get a set together, but, in the meantime, you can get more details here.

Mike Birbiglia and Ira Glass Are Taking Submissions for Mike’s (Sort of) Understudy for “The New One” on Broadway
December 1, 2018
Uncategorized
birbigs understudy, broadway, open call, submissions, the new one

The announcement continues:

But – next best thing – on January 16th, you’ll perform your monologue on the Cort Theatre stage introduced by This American Life’s Ira Glass. In other words … your own Broadway debut! (Nathan Lane: please do not apply.)

To be clear, I don’t want you to impersonate me. I want to see YOURversion of it. You can post the videos on Instagram or Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #BirbigsUnderstudy. Be sure to tag @NewOneBway!

Thanks for throwing your hat in the ring! Really looking forward to this.

Love, Mike.

Even though it’s ultimately a minute or so of stage time and you’ll be performing a monologue from Mike’s old solo shows, this definitely is something you might want to get in on.

Also, we would not be surprised if this ends up being the seed or a major plot point for Mike’s next show.

Snapchat Is Launching a Comedy Creator Initiative and Is Taking Submissions Until Nov. 30th
October 22, 2018
Uncategorized
open call, short form series, snapchat, submissions
image

If you’re on or dabbling with Snapchat these days, here’s a nice little opportunity for you.

Snap is looking to produce 10 different short form comedy series that feature 3-5 min. episodes to feature on Snapchat. Those picked from submissions will get $20K to make the 10 episodes.

If you’re into it, you can find out more details and submit here.

Comedy Central Opens Their Doors for New Animation Ideas and Talent Via Their New Animation Shorts Program
October 1, 2018
Uncategorized
animation, open call, submissions

Comedy Central Opens Their Doors for New Animation Ideas and Talent Via Their New Animation Shorts Program

If you’ve got a funny animated short (and if you’re reading this, we’re guessing you either do or know someone who does), this might be a great opportunity to take advantage of and potentially end up animating over at Comedy Central.

The open call for submissions just started today and you can get more details and submit here. By the way, it’s free to submit.

Heads up to everyone who does @loopdeloop-blog!

The International Songwriting Competition Is Accepting Submissions for “Comedy and Novelty” (Including Stand-up)
August 4, 2018
Uncategorized
contest, musical comedy, open call, songwriting contest, submissions
image

The International Songwriting Contest takes in thousands of entries every year in an attempt to highlight the songs of new talent. Within that field, they’re also looking for entries in “Comedy and Novelty”, which covers musical comedy, parody songs, stand-up, and recordings of comedy groups/troupes. 

There are cash and other prizes for top placing finalists throughout the ISC and all finalists are listened to by a special judge panel that includes the head of Comedy Central Records. Past winners have included two favorites of ours Rachel Bloom and Garfunkel and Oates.

You don’t have to worry about censoring content and there is no official running time/time limit for entries. All material must be original and all writers must be credited. Entries are being taken from now until Wednesday, September 19th at $30 per entry. 

If that all sounds good to you, get more details and enter here.

Second City Hollywood’s LA Diversity in Comedy Festival Is Now Taking Submissions
July 31, 2018
Uncategorized
comedy festival, improv comedy, los angeles, open call, second city, sketch comedy, stand up, submissions

Second City Hollywood’s LA Diversity in Comedy Festival Is Now Taking Submissions

The world famous Second City will be having their latest LA Diversity in Comedy Festival from October 11th-14th. They will be featuring diverse sketch, improv, and stand-up and, as such, are accepting submissions up until Saturday, September 1st. 

That gives you a month (i.e. plenty of time) to get your submissions in.

Get more details and submit here.

Lyric Hyperion Is Holding Its Very First Lyric Hyperion Short Film Festival
July 2, 2018
Uncategorized
dr brown, film festival, josh turek, los angeles, lyric hyperion, open call, short film, submissions
image

One of favorites venues in town is doing yet another cool thing by throwing their very first short film festival.

The Lyric Hyperion Short Film Festival, produced by Philip “Dr. Brown” Burgers & Joshua Turek, will be an all day-and-night affair that’ll showcase the best shorts they can find, which ought to be pretty good considering the sorts of shows and screenings that they’ve been doing at The Lyric Hyperion over the years (just go through our listings here at TCB if you’re not familiar and you’ll notice plenty of Lyric Hyperion events).

The submission deadline is Wednesday, August 1st with a more than reasonable fee of $10 and films are to be no longer in running time than 30 minutes. The festival itself will take place on Saturday, September 1st.

Get more details and submit here.

Gimlet and Squarespace’s “Casting Call” Contest Is Looking for the Next Great Podcast
May 16, 2018
Uncategorized
gimlet creative, open call, podcasts, squarespace, submissions
image

If you’ve got a great podcast idea, but are looking to be part of a network (and have a budget to produce it), Gimlet Creative and Squarespace’s Casting Call contest might just be the thing for you.

They’re having an open call for submissions for podcast ideas until May 21st.

If you enter, the following might happen:

Our panel of judges will join host Jonathan Goldstein to select three applicants to fly to New York and produce their pilots. At the end of the journey, one talented hopeful will be awarded a mini-series produced by Gimlet and maybe even a Squarespace sponsorship of their own—because is a podcast even a podcast without one?

Get more details and enter here.

TruTV Will Be Doing Another Round of Their Comedy Breakout Initiative Renewed at NY TV Festival
April 3, 2018
Uncategorized
comedy breakout, new york tv festival, nytvf, open call, submissions, trutv

TruTV Will Be Doing Another Round of Their Comedy Breakout Initiative Renewed at NY TV Festival

Whether scripted or unscripted, TruTV will be looking once more for new ideas via a contest at the New York Television Festival. 

It’s free to enter and you should keep in mind that they’re looking for something with a distinct point of view. Submissions open up on May 2nd and are accepted through May 23rd. The winner, who will get a $25K budget to officially develop the project with TruTV, will be announced in July.

Get more details here.

Broke LA Festival Now Taking Submissions for Comedians, Filmmakers, Visual Artists, Inventors, Etc.
February 7, 2018
Uncategorized
2018, april, broke la, comedy show, festival, regent la, short film, stand up, submissions
image

Actually, Broke LA, the annual music and arts festival that is friendly on your wallet, is taking submissions of all sorts of artists and performers (seems that’ll include many disciplines in comedy) to be featured live on April 21st and/or 22nd at The Regent in DTLA. 

You have until Thurs. Feb. 15th to get in for the early submission deadline for $10 fee and then, $15 for the final deadline on Fri. Mar. 2nd.

Get more details and submit here.

2018 Limestone Comedy Festival Is Now Taking Stand-up Submissions
January 3, 2018
Uncategorized
bloomington, comedy festival, indiana, limestone, stand up, submissions

If you have a New Year’s resolution to get into/get back into a comedy festival, Bloomington, Indiana’s Limestone Comedy Festival is a pretty good place to start.

They’re taking submissions for stand-up comedians as of Jan. 1st, 2018 for their festival happening at the end of May/beginning of June.

More specifically, submission fees are as follows: 

$25 from 12AM EST January 1st to 11:59PM February 18th
$40 from 12AM EST February 19th to 11:59PM March 16th.

If you want to get in on that right now, you can get more details and submit here.

Elizabeth Banks’ WhoHaha and YouTube Space Have Launched “Women in Comedy” Initiative
October 30, 2017
Uncategorized
submissions, whohaha, women in comedy, youtube space

Proactively trying to balance out the gender disparity in entertainment with a specific focus on comedy, WhoHaha and the YouTube Space are indeed launching a global Women in Comedy initiative that will highlight and give opportunities to a select group of female comedy creators.

The program will be active in London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Rio, Tokyo, and Toronto and give access to customized sets, marketing/distribution strategies, and collaboration with high profile talent. 

Here’s Elizabeth Banks pitching the whole thing.

The program is underway, but still accepting submissions. Get more details and apply here.

The 10th Annual Schtick or Treat Is Taking Submissions
August 30, 2017
Uncategorized
halloween, los angeles, schtick or treat, submissions
image

The annual comedy Halloween tradition that happens on both coasts, Schtick or Treat, is coming up and you, if you’d like, could have a chance to be a part of dressing up and performing as a famous comedian of your choice.

E-mail schtickbooking@gmail.com for more info.

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