For all of you up and coming (UAC) comics, money can be tight.  Most UAC comics can not head line at clubs due to the fact that they can’t sell tickets. How can a UAC comic make money to survive while working on the fame? COLLEGES.  Now a lot of comics don’t like performing for colleges because the comic may have an act that is not responsive to students. Well, for you the struggle will continue, but for those that have an hour of clean, decent material, the college route can help you survive until you get to the next level. First off, you need a good college agent. They take anywhere from 10-20 percent commission, but most of the good colleges only work with agencies so it is no way around them.   Next, the agent will probably get you to showcase for the college board NACA.  NACA have showcases for different regions all around the country. You have to pay about $800 dollars to showcase but the thing about NACA is that they will book you for the year (I had one comic friend book 42 shows at a NACA showcace) so the $800 is worth it.  Colleges pay anywhere from $1500 and up for a one nighter. Most of the time you book your own travel and hotel but hey, you will be getting more for one night at a college that a week featuring at a club. You may perform in a lunch room, student basement, a hallway, but who cares, you are getting paid. I have found the students to be very refreshing and fun. They come to laugh and have a good time so just keep your act clean and simple. Good luck!

Loni Love

Posted in For Comics Only |

Pitching a show is when you have a meeting scheduled with a network or studio for a potential idea. First of all, have an idea that is orginal, entertaining and funny. Look inside your self as a comic and ask, what would I want to see on the internet, tv or big screen. Next, try to soft pitch it to your friends or management. Soft pitch, means not a real pitch, just have a conversation with them and slip it in to see if there is some interest. Next, look at the idea and decide what network or channel it would  work for. For all you guys, you have plenty of choices, Spike, G4. For all you country music lovers, you have GMC,  CMT. For you gay people you have Logo and Bravo. Blacks you have BET, TV1, and my white brothers and sisters have all the channels!!!  Any way, decide on the idea and then try to get a meeting with the channel or network. Usually it is with the vice president of development, the president of the network…anybody else, well it is just a nice meeting. Now when you get the meeting, be prepared. Have a beginnng, middle and end. Have jokes( you are a comic), light up the room with your personality and be able to answer any questions. Have eye contact with the boss, every body else will just agree with the boss. But most of all, be yourself. Don’t plead and beg, your idea is yours and it is great, it just may not be for that network at that time, so just find the right place for it. Right now it is hard times on America, it is our duty as entertainers to help people forget about losing there jobs, homes, bank closings, iraq war…..we have a lot of work to do!!!

Loni Love

Posted in For Comics Only |