The 12th Annual California Comedy Conference
in Palm Springs
Friday - Sunday, December 1 - 3, 2006
** Top 8 funny people will be chosen to appear on National Lampoon Radio! **
- Take workshops and showcase for Hollywood agents, managers, casting directors, and club bookers
- Learn the ins and outs of making money by being funny
- Showcase your act for the kind of people who can get you jobs
- Pitch TV show ideas to TV executive producers
- Stay at the gorgeous Wyndham Resort Hotel in Palm Springs at conference rates
- Get a tan in December.
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Showcases:
- 16 Hollywood agents, manager, producers, and casting directors will see your act and give you feedback
- Showcases are limited to the first 75 people who sign up
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"Spend a weekend doing what other famous comics have done. Sleep with important people." -Judy Carter Spend 48 hours with the kind of people who wouldn't ordinarily give you the time of day -- HollywoodÕs top movers and shakers of comedy. Take workshops, smooze, and (best of all) showcase for the kind of people it would take you years to meet. Everyone gets to showcase. Beginners are welcome.
Mindy Sterling ("Frau" in "Austin Powers") and Terri Fiddleman (casting director) relax by the pool in 85 degree Palm Springs weather.
APA agent Danny Robinson at Saturday night showcase and attendee Catherine Brockett.
Actor and comic Rick Overton picks up women at the showcase. |
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Here's what some of our past participants had to say: "Judy, I had such an amazing weekend in Palm Springs with you and I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for that experience. Everyone was so great!!!" -- Ivy Isenberg, Weber Casting, MGM TV "Judy, thank you so much. I went to the 2001 California Comedy Conference had a great time. The conferernce showed me how to make a living from doing comedy æ"e from standup. I began writing bits for radio as you suggested. I just got a phone call today from KC, one of the producers of The Howard Stern Show, I am going to make my debut on the show tomorrow and am going to become a semi regular guest on the show. I wrote some trivia games for the radio, I got the idea in Palm Springs! Thanks so much!!" -- Chris Williamson, New York "All of your hard work to bring a first class faculty of teachers and trainers certainly made my journey from Atlanta to Palm Springs highly worthwhile." -- Chris Kauffman, Atlanta, GA "I had a fantastic time. It was worth every penny." -- Dobie Maxwell, Salt Lake City, UT "I had a great time and learned a ton.Very inspiring!" -- Sheri Gable Sisco, Dallas, TX "I'm already looking forward to 2003!" -- Lorraine Bates, San Carlos, CA "I loved the workshop. I've been telling everyone about it." -- Debbie Newman, Eugene OR "Thanks again for a totally awesome three days." -- Hatton Jordon, Portsmouth, VA |
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View pictures from Palm Springs 2002
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California
Comedy Conference 2006
Accomodations
Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel
Palm Springs'
Largest and most famous hotel
Shuttles to and from downtown and the airport, swimming pools, jacuzzis, exercise room. 4 blocks from the Casino and 6 blocks to downtown..
Comedy Workshop rate is $119.00 per night
Click here to book your room
(we will be putting up a roommate finder website soon)
California
Comedy Conference 2006
Schedule
Friday, December 1, 2006 (additional
fee)
Beginner Joke
Writing and Performance Workshop with Judy Carter
Limited to
20 participants
9:30
am
to 4:30 pm
Friday, December 1, 2006
4pm on -- Hotel check-in and registration
7:30 -- 10:30 p.m.
Reception and showcase
Saturday, December 2, 2006
7:45
-- 9:15 a.m. Buffet breakfast
9:30 -- 11 a.m. Workshop session
1
11:30 a.m. -- 1 p.m. Workshop session 2
1:30 -- 2:30 p.m.
Catered VIP reception for the Fulfillment Fund (additional fee)
3:00
- 3:30pm Showcase
3:30 -- 5:30 p.m. VIP panel discussions
8 -- 11
p.m. Showcase and improv show
Sunday, December 3, 2006
7::45
- 9:15a.m. Buffet breakfast
9:30 -- 10:45 a.m. Workshop session
3
11 a.m. -- 12:30 p.m. Workshop session 4
1:30 - 2pm Showcase
2:30
to 5pm VIP panel discussions and closing
Monday,
December 4, 2006 (additional fee)
Corporate
Comedy Workshop with Judy Carter
Limited to 15 participants
10am to 5pm
2006 VIPs
Watch this page as we add VIPs!
Commercial Coach and Casting Dirctor |
CAROLYNE BARRY Teacher, Casting Director, Director, and Producer. She has cast over 600 national and regional commercials commercial campaigns, industrials and infomercial. And since 1983, has been one of the most successful and in-demand Commercial Acting Coaches in Los Angeles |
pix to come
Sitcom Producer/writer |
Eileen Conn Co-Executive Producer and writer on "Mad About You," "Just Shoot Me," and "The Jenna Elfmann Show," among others. |
Groundlings Improv Teacher |
Phyllis Katz In addition to co-creating The Groundlings School, Phyllis conducts writing, character development, and song improv workshops across the country. Some of her former students include: Will Ferrell, Kathy Griffin, Daryl Hannah, Lisa Kudrow, Jon Lovitz, and Julia Sweeney. |
Agent at ICM |
Marc Kamler Mr. Kamler is a top agent representing hosts for TV shows. He will be speaking on how to go from club work to TV work; How to get an agent to notice you; When is it the right time to get an agent. He will also be watching the showcase as he is always looking for new talent.
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Marketing Comedy on Myspace and the Internet |
Steve Hofstetter A top-20 comedy album on Billboard's charts, a syndicated radio show on
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How to write and sell your book |
Sam Horn Sam Horn, author of POP! Stand Out in Any Crowd (Perigee) doesn't waste time on theories. She teaches fun, innovative ways to create titles, taglines, one-liners and and "Tell 'n Sell" introductions that help you attract interest in the crucial first 60 seconds. Find out for yourself why Sam's work has been endorsed by such thought leaders as Seth Godin, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, and Dave Barry, and why she gets rave reviews for this hands-on session that helps you win buy-in for what you have to say and sell.
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Network Executive "Pitching your show idea" |
Sandra Brown Sandra Brown is a high ranking network executive for the "Style Network." She manages and develops current programming and presently oversees such popular shows such as "Style Star," "Modern Girls Guide to Life,""How do I Look," "Clean House," and all Specials. Ms. Brown is directly involved in developing new shows, taking pitches, and casting talent.
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Comic / Club Owner Emcee Workshop "How Not to Suck as an MC" |
Dan Rosenberg Mr. Rosenberg has produced and/or performed in |
Exec. Producer of "Clean House" |
Gina Rubinstein Executive Producer of "Clean House" starring comedian, Niecy Nash. |
Comic Manager |
Barb North Manager of comedy talent in Los Angeles. Ms. North managers actors and comics. She will be scouting talent and giving a workshop on managing your comedy career. |
Comedy Coach "Identifying your Persona" |
Steve North Steve is the best known coach for comedians in the country and has coached hundreds of comedians in standup comedy, comedic acting and writing & performing One Person Shows. He is a Managing Director of Brook Forest Entertainment, LLC, a Comedy Management and Development Company, which represents experienced and up-and-coming comedians, including Kira Soltanovich of Oxygen's "Girls Behaving Badly", James P. Connolly host of the VH-1 Show "Movie Obsessions", Joey Green, author of over 30 comedy books who appears regularly on, "The View", "The Wayne Brady Show" and "Good Morning America" and Stand up comedian, host of "Animal Atlas" and The WB College Tours and Radio personality Eric "Smooth-E" Schwartz. |
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Judy Carter
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California
Comedy Conference 2006
Workshops
Attendees will get to pick four workshops after they register
Everyone will attend the "afternoon seminars"
Career Advice: Agents and Managers reveal how to get seen & signed
VIP: Barb North, Talent Manager at Brook Forest Entertainment
The big mystery of how to get an agent or manager to represent you will be revealed straight from the sort of people you want to have on speed dial. Agents and managers hang up their Armani suits for the weekend and reveal the top 10 career killers and 10 positive actions you can take to achieve your career dream. Practice your punchlines – you’ll have a chance to showcase your set for them at night. (afternoon seminar)
Standup: Get away with murder: Create stand-up material that kills
VIP: Steve North, Comedy Coach and Talent Manager at Brook Forest Entertainment
Take this workshop with the man who can find your "funny" and turn it into killer material that rocks the room. Interactive and fun, the exercises and techniques in this session ensure that you leave with new material – and know how to keep writing it when you’re back home. Beginning and advanced workshops.
Marketing Comedy: No More "Bringer" Shows
VIP: Steve Hofstetter
Are you finding people are enjoying your act, but you are having trouble
converting them into repeat fans? Want a larger reach in markets you've
never played? Need help getting organized? If you'd like to learn how to
use technology to aid your career, this seminar will teach you how to use
technology to advance your marketability and writing. We'll cover topics
from the basics of different types of programs and using them to get organized through MySpace and the ever changing online promotional
landscape.
Marketing Yourself When you Don't Have an Agent
VIP: Sam Horn
What do you say when people ask, "What do you do?" Do you have a “Jerry Maguire Elevator Speech" that “has people at hello?” If not, you're losing bookings. Sam Horn, author of POP! Stand Out in Any Crowd (Perigee) doesn't waste time on theories. She teaches fun, innovative ways to create titles, taglines, one-liners and and "Tell 'n Sell" ntroductions that help you attract interest in the crucial first 60 seconds.
Her premise is that you're either one-of-a-kind or one-of-many. The key to breaking out instead of blending in is to develop an identity and approach that pleasantly surprises people so they WANT to know more. This creates a "tell-a-friend-phenomenon" which turns audience members, readers, and clients into good will ambassadors who build buzz for you and your business through word of mouth and word of mouse marketing.
Marketing: How to Write Your Bio
VIP: Barb North, Manager
As a comedian or comedy writer, you have to have a bio that is funny. Join manager Barb North as she shows you how to weave comedy and facts into your bio so that your promotional materials are as good as you are.
How Not to Suck as an Emcee
VIP: Dan Rosenberg, Author of "How Not to Suck as an Emcee"
Join author, comic and club booker Dan Rosenberg for a workshop that is guaranteed to change your comedy career! If you’re a new comic or a seasoned pro, this workshop will help your act! Let's face it, there are more and more comedians vying for less and less stage time. Why not give yourself an advantage? Learning to "work the room" is vital to having a successful career, and honing your hosting skills can help achieve that.
TV Pitching: Get Your Ideas Out of Your Head and Onto the Network
VIP: Sandra Brown, Network Executive for the Style Network
Discover the secret to selling your sitcom and story ideas in Hollywood. Every show on TV started with a good "pitch." In this interactive workshop, learn how to present your ideas in a way that makes network executives say, "yes."
Sitcom Writing: If your life is a joke – it could be a sitcom
VIP: Eileen Conn, Sitcom Producer
Every TV sitcom started with a pitch. Join a veteran TV producer who will show you how your life can be turned into a hit TV sitcom.
Improv: Getting in touch with your funny
VIP: Phyllis Katz, Groundlings Founder
Handle hecklers and create new material by learning to think on your feet.
College Comedy: Getting on the College Circuit
VIP: Steve Hofstetter
All that time goofing off as the class clown will finally pay off. In this workshop a college agent will give you the inside scoop on what you need to audition for NACA, prepare your material and get seen by campus bookers who do co-op buying.
Commercial Auditions : Getting into the Commercial Market
VIP: Carolyne Barry
Many comics kill at a club and die on auditions. Let a casting director show you the tricks on how to let your talent shine at auditions.
Standup: How to Write Current Events Material
VIP: Judy Carter
Britney Spears a mother?! Borat's a sex symbol?! Funny things are around us everyday and in this workshop you'll learn how to take the hot topics of the day and turn them into standup comedy material that you can then sell to radio and TV shows.
Writing Improv: Breaking Through Writers Block
VIP: Phyllis Katz
You got ideas popping in your head all day, now if you could only get them out! This workshop will destress the writing process and show you how to turn nothing into something -- and have fun doing it.
TV Pitching: Makig your reality show real
VIP: Gina Rubinstein
Got an idea for a reality show? Before you pitch it, this workshop will tell you how to take your idea, hone it, shape it, and structure it for the TV market. Come to this workshop with your ideas.
Optional One-Day Stand-up Workshops with Judy Carter
Friday, December 1 - 9:30am to 4:30pm
“I’ve been standing up for so long and boy are my jokes tired!”
Judy is teaching a one-day workshop in Palm Springs prior to the start of the conference. This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to better understand how to turn their life experiences into standup material. Whether you are a speaker who wants to get more laughs, or a comic who wants to punch up your material, be prepared for creative breakthroughs in a safe and supportive environment. Included:
- creating cutting edge material
- one-on-one coaching
- exploring your comedy creativity
- identifying your persona
- performance techniques
- punching up your showcase set
Limited to the first 20 people who sign up
Optional One-Day Speaker's Workshop
with Judy Carter
Monday, December 4th - 9:30am to 4:30pm
Stay an extra day and take this exciting workshop. In this interactive-on-your-feet workshop, Judy will show you the ins and outs of corporate comedy. Wheather you are currently a speaker who wants to get more bookings, or just want to learn more about corporate comedy, this is the workshop for you.
There are 5 common mistakes that people do when they try to add humor to their talks:
- Big Mistake #1 - You start your speech with a joke.
- Big Mistake #2 - You think "Funny Stories" are the way to add humor to your speech.
- Big Mistake #3 - You use jokes you've gotten from joke books, or the Internet
- Big Mistake #4 - You use humor that distract from your message.
- Big Mistake #5 - You use humor that is not relateable or customized to your audience
The Top Five Secrets to making people laugh
Judy shows some very simple techniques that you can apply instantly to make your speech funny and entertaining.
- How to have a snappy opening that will hook your audience within the first minute.
- How to find the funny in your life and bring it to your speech to enhance your content.
- How to create great stories that have your audience laughing and on the edge of their seatsbring out the stories in your life that will draw your audience in
- How to create great titles for your talk that will grab the eye of Meeting Planners.
- How to drive your speech to a closing that will have the audience on their feet and running to buy your merchendise.
Limited to the first 20 people who sign up
California
Comedy Conference 2005
Showcases
The showcases are a way for beginning and experienced comics alike to get constructive feedback on their act from our Hollywood VIP's. As they watch your showcase they will write comments and those comments and tips will be available for your viewing.
Showcase positions were given out by your registration date. Sat first half, then Friday first half, then Sat early showcase, then Sunday early showcase.
Friday Night 7:30pm – 10pm
Dan Rosenberg (10 mintues)
Lori Nelson
Deanna Knudsen
Grey, Donnell Keith
Schuchat, Frank
Ford, Andy
Clark, Bradley
George, Patricia
Alterio, Matt
Aguila, Armando
Mignone, Gerard
March, Rick
Damon, Kinsie
Ernst, Melissa
Parris, Kyle Blaine
Spence, Christy M.
Smith, Sukey
Morrison, Stuart
Rouhani, Arash
Anenberg, Jill
William, Jae
Korner, Tom
Hittman, Judy
Brown, Graeme
II, Dwight J. McCormick
Goldblatt, Victoria
Maruschak, Jackie
Bishop, Melvin
Dedenroth, Brian von
Burke, Carlease
Saturday afternoon 3pm to 3:30pm
Jackie Champagnie
Wu, Margaret
Dickson, Megan
Ginsburg, Rochelle
Cassidy, Mary
Dones, Susan
Shipp, Wanda
Hardy, Leroy W
Saturday Night 8 – 11pm with Improv games following showcase
Alex House
Jill Bucaro
Ann Lippert
Tann, Eddie
Trabue, Susan
Finley, Debbie
Rule, Susan
Ognibene, Michael
Spann, Dannie T.
Dewane, Michael
Akers, James j.
Martini, Kitty
Worsham, Justin
Martin, Russell
Duncan, Bobby
Hannaford, Kevin
Hesselgrave, Mark
Franco, Anthony
Andrews, Denny
Stensager, Brian
Benson, DeWayne
Carr, Gina
Sehr, Barbara
Crow, John
Dice, Kathie
Keenan, John
Quillen, Dave
Rowe, Daniel
Pool, Gid
Newman, Linda j.
Piscioneri, James
Phyllis Katz
Sunday afternoon 1:30pm to 2pm
Hersack, Sarah - writer
Land, Jimmy
Jules Roenitz
Loose, Brian
Lynch, Kelley
Cain, Lora
Lewin, Pablo
Guest
California
Comedy Conference 2006
Pricing
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FULL REGISTRATION Dec 1-3 all workshops, seminars, breakfasts (hotel separate) |
445.00 |
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BONUS PRE-CONFERENCE One-Day Standup workshop with Judy Carter ( Friday) |
185.00 |
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BONUS POST-CONFERENCE One-Day Corporate Comedy workshop with Judy Carter (Monday) |
185.00 |
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Both Corporate and Standup Workshop - Package |
345.00 |
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Saturday luncheon with VIPs to benefit The Fullfillment Fund (Charity write off) |
75.00 |
Registration Detail
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. A deposit amount of $100 guarantees a spot at the conference. You must pay in full prior to the dates above to receive specific discounts. Showcase spots are given out in order of registration. The total amount must be paid prior to November 1, 2006. Cancellation requests received prior to midnight on September 30, 2006 will be refunded the amount minus a $50 processing fee. There are no refunds after November 1, 2006.
FLIGHT INFO
You can fly directly into the Palm Springs International Airport and will be transported to the resort via their shuttle service. You can also fly into LAX, Burbank and/or Ontario airport but must arrive before noon on Friday the 21st if you want a ride to the Riviera Resort. Please let us know if you'd like to schedule airport pickup.
VIP Luncheon
Join the conference VIPs for an intimate lunch with proceeds to benefit the Fulfillment Fund, a non-profit mentoring program for disadvantaged high school students. Extra $75 fee.
Hotel
Prices do not include lodging. Once your register you will be emailed a link to make your hotel reservations at the discounted rate of $119 per night. If you would like to share a room, we will provide you with a list of others who would also like to share a room.
Transportation
We will have a car service picking up at LAX and Ontario airports to take you to Palm Springs for a charge of $45 round trip. The shuttle will pick up at LAX at 11AM, 12:30pm and 1:30pm. At Ontario at 12:30pm, 2pm, and 3pm.
Past
California Comedy Conferences
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