Get there EARLY for sign up. (I mean like noon. At 4pm there were 12 comics lined up for 12 or 15 spots.) And you don't go on that night, the sign-up is for the following week.
I expected there to be more people in the audience (I think there was 1 or 2) because it's the Laugh Factory but no. The other comics were pretty supportive but I think that here everyone is preoccupied before their set because it's so hard to get on and you're hoping to get picked for a showcase.
You have to be clean. Like G rated clean. Anything even kind of risky will get your mic cut.
Call ahead to see if sign ups or the show are happening. The owner watches all sets, so if he is out of town, the show is cancelled. Sign ups are a week in advance, so you must return to perform the next week.
Jamie Masada is a douche. Here's what you can expect from the Laugh Factory open mic. You will do three minutes, then Jamie will give you some BS feedback afterward and maybe tell you to come back and "try again" in a few weeks. Then you'll go again and he'll give you more BS feedback that means nothing and comes from some standard feedback topic list he has. This goes on forever, unless MAYBE, if you are actually decent and get laughs, he will say he's going to give you a five minute showcase. You will call and get a spot for a showcase which is MONTHS in advance. If you pass that five minute one, he will then give you a seven minute showcase. You will call the booker (which will be impossible to get on the phone, EVER) and you will get your seven minute showcase date when they decide to call you, which will again be MONTHS in advance. Literally like four months away or more, sometimes six months. Then if you pass that, he will give you a TEN minute showcase. Again, MONTHS down the line. So far you've easily put over two years into this, because it gives Jamie people to put onstage after the open mikers and call them "showcasers." Then, after he's exhausted you with bogus showcases, he will probably blow you off, UNLESS you fit into one of his themed nights, like Latino night, African American night, or Asian night. If you are not one of those things, forget it, unless you are morbidly obese or you have three arms or something else that Jamie finds unique enough for his cirus mentality. He's the Ringling Bros' of club owners. If you are not a freak or you don't have a name that everyone will recognize on the marquee (like Bob Saget, Jamie Kenndey, Dane Cook), forget it. Trust me on this.
The owner/ talent manager actually watches the open mic. It's an opportunity. It's probably the best club in LA to perform at. Therefore they have a vetting process to ensure you are taking it serious. I got there at 2PM on a tuesday to wait. There were already two other guys. They were pretty smart, had brought a checkerboard.
As for the open mic. Keep it 4-letter word free. I'd avoid any topics of rape, or racial slurs. You can make gay jokes, but not say fag. I went up with very vanilla material, and didn't feel it was worth getting feedback. For all the unemployed comedians in Los Angeles. This line should be full.
There's no reason this is not a lotto system. Jamie makes comics wait there ALL day for his own amusement. He walked past the line, everyone knew it was him, and he smiled to himself and kept walking not saying a word. How sadistic. Seriously, don't do this open mic. Only play this club when your manager books you. 90% of comics are made paid regulars here by another regular telling jamie he should watch the next comic and make him a regular, half that time jamie doesn't watch it just passes him. If he sees you bombing as an open micer here thats all he'll ever see you as. Don't hurt yourself by doing the open mic.
it's just ridiculous!!! Went last week, there was a sign saying the sign ups were cancelled, but would resume on April 3rd for April 10th. Already pissed at wasting time last week, went back up there yesterday...April 3rd as per THEIR direction, and they were cancelled again, but this time with no note. Said to come back on the 17th...major waste of time, gas, patience!
Waited for five hours to get three minutes. Fine. They postponed my show because Masada would be out of town and he wanted to see all the comics. Fine. Three weeks later I did my set. After the show he granted everyone all the comics an audience like he was Pope Don Corleone. When it was my turn, I told him my name and he said, "Oh, yeah, I didn't see you. Come back in a month"...and pretty much dismissed me. I believe the term is "Blow me, asshole".
Jamie is pretty much never there. And the employees refuse to give u a heads up even on the day of as to not waste your time. I know guys that have gone four months straight without Jamie being there. Why even continue to have the mic??
Whole thing is soulcrushing. First Jamie is never there to watch and its probably because 70% of the people auditioning are part time bums. Seriously. Most in their 50s and 60s (some much younger), ragged clothes, and not serious aabout comedy at all. Either trying to latch on to something before they die or wanted something random to do on a Tuesday. Thats Hollywood.
This is a very negative coment. Change your attitude. Stay positive. Everything is a learning experience. You will get your time. Your dream is gonna come true. Just stay excited about life. I am in my late 50s and I am telling you, be kind to all the people you meet. Much love.
^ "70% of the people auditioning are part time bums. Seriously. Most in their 50s and 60s (some much younger), ragged clothes, and not serious about comedy at all."
I hope it makes you feel better to know that when Ari Shaffir talks about his rookie days 15(?) years ago he mentions the fact that even then he was surrounded by homeless morons at The Laugh Factory. I've done comedy for almost 4 years, but I've never set foot in this place. I've been killing it with non-comics for the last few months, yet The Comedy Store clearly doesn't give a shit. So what the hell....
Well.... I haven't bombed that hard in a group of ten or more people (even with comics) in more than a year. As I wrote above this comment, I used material that has destroyed during the last few months with non-comics. The next three guys didn't do any better. So, as my comic friend advised me and I stupidly ignored, if you're going to do this mic make certain that you're somewhere around number 10-15 because non-comics gradually enter the room as the night progresses. In my case, the #1 spot was suicide. I was staring at comics who were just rehearsing their sets in their minds obsessively because Masada was in the room. I'm trying to remember a more painful set in my career. I can't. Jesus christ....
Get there EARLY for sign up. (I mean like noon. At 4pm there were 12 comics lined up for 12 or 15 spots.) And you don't go on that night, the sign-up is for the following week.
ReplyDeleteI expected there to be more people in the audience (I think there was 1 or 2) because it's the Laugh Factory but no. The other comics were pretty supportive but I think that here everyone is preoccupied before their set because it's so hard to get on and you're hoping to get picked for a showcase.
You have to be clean. Like G rated clean. Anything even kind of risky will get your mic cut.
Call ahead to see if sign ups or the show are happening. The owner watches all sets, so if he is out of town, the show is cancelled. Sign ups are a week in advance, so you must return to perform the next week.
ReplyDeleteJamie Masada is a douche. Here's what you can expect from the Laugh Factory open mic. You will do three minutes, then Jamie will give you some BS feedback afterward and maybe tell you to come back and "try again" in a few weeks. Then you'll go again and he'll give you more BS feedback that means nothing and comes from some standard feedback topic list he has. This goes on forever, unless MAYBE, if you are actually decent and get laughs, he will say he's going to give you a five minute showcase. You will call and get a spot for a showcase which is MONTHS in advance. If you pass that five minute one, he will then give you a seven minute showcase. You will call the booker (which will be impossible to get on the phone, EVER) and you will get your seven minute showcase date when they decide to call you, which will again be MONTHS in advance. Literally like four months away or more, sometimes six months. Then if you pass that, he will give you a TEN minute showcase. Again, MONTHS down the line. So far you've easily put over two years into this, because it gives Jamie people to put onstage after the open mikers and call them "showcasers." Then, after he's exhausted you with bogus showcases, he will probably blow you off, UNLESS you fit into one of his themed nights, like Latino night, African American night, or Asian night. If you are not one of those things, forget it, unless you are morbidly obese or you have three arms or something else that Jamie finds unique enough for his cirus mentality. He's the Ringling Bros' of club owners. If you are not a freak or you don't have a name that everyone will recognize on the marquee (like Bob Saget, Jamie Kenndey, Dane Cook), forget it. Trust me on this.
ReplyDeleteThe owner/ talent manager actually watches the open mic. It's an opportunity. It's probably the best club in LA to perform at. Therefore they have a vetting process to ensure you are taking it serious. I got there at 2PM on a tuesday to wait. There were already two other guys. They were pretty smart, had brought a checkerboard.
ReplyDeleteAs for the open mic. Keep it 4-letter word free. I'd avoid any topics of rape, or racial slurs. You can make gay jokes, but not say fag.
I went up with very vanilla material, and didn't feel it was worth getting feedback. For all the unemployed comedians in Los Angeles. This line should be full.
There's no reason this is not a lotto system. Jamie makes comics wait there ALL day for his own amusement. He walked past the line, everyone knew it was him, and he smiled to himself and kept walking not saying a word. How sadistic. Seriously, don't do this open mic. Only play this club when your manager books you. 90% of comics are made paid regulars here by another regular telling jamie he should watch the next comic and make him a regular, half that time jamie doesn't watch it just passes him. If he sees you bombing as an open micer here thats all he'll ever see you as. Don't hurt yourself by doing the open mic.
ReplyDeleteit's just ridiculous!!! Went last week, there was a sign saying the sign ups were cancelled, but would resume on April 3rd for April 10th. Already pissed at wasting time last week, went back up there yesterday...April 3rd as per THEIR direction, and they were cancelled again, but this time with no note. Said to come back on the 17th...major waste of time, gas, patience!
ReplyDeleteWaited for five hours to get three minutes. Fine. They postponed my show because Masada would be out of town and he wanted to see all the comics. Fine. Three weeks later I did my set. After the show he granted everyone all the comics an audience like he was Pope Don Corleone. When it was my turn, I told him my name and he said, "Oh, yeah, I didn't see you. Come back in a month"...and pretty much dismissed me. I believe the term is "Blow me, asshole".
ReplyDeleteJamie is pretty much never there. And the employees refuse to give u a heads up even on the day of as to not waste your time. I know guys that have gone four months straight without Jamie being there. Why even continue to have the mic??
ReplyDeleteWhole thing is soulcrushing. First Jamie is never there to watch and its probably because 70% of the people auditioning are part time bums. Seriously. Most in their 50s and 60s (some much younger), ragged clothes, and not serious aabout comedy at all. Either trying to latch on to something before they die or wanted something random to do on a Tuesday. Thats Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very negative coment. Change your attitude. Stay positive. Everything is a learning experience. You will get your time. Your dream is gonna come true. Just stay excited about life. I am in my late 50s and I am telling you, be kind to all the people you meet. Much love.
Delete^ "70% of the people auditioning are part time bums. Seriously. Most in their 50s and 60s (some much younger), ragged clothes, and not serious about comedy at all."
ReplyDeleteI hope it makes you feel better to know that when Ari Shaffir talks about his rookie days 15(?) years ago he mentions the fact that even then he was surrounded by homeless morons at The Laugh Factory.
I've done comedy for almost 4 years, but I've never set foot in this place. I've been killing it with non-comics for the last few months, yet The Comedy Store clearly doesn't give a shit. So what the hell....
Well.... I haven't bombed that hard in a group of ten or more people (even with comics) in more than a year. As I wrote above this comment, I used material that has destroyed during the last few months with non-comics.
ReplyDeleteThe next three guys didn't do any better. So, as my comic friend advised me and I stupidly ignored, if you're going to do this mic make certain that you're somewhere around number 10-15 because non-comics gradually enter the room as the night progresses. In my case, the #1 spot was suicide. I was staring at comics who were just rehearsing their sets in their minds obsessively because Masada was in the room.
I'm trying to remember a more painful set in my career. I can't. Jesus christ....