Robert Popper joins Chortle seminar
All you need to know about comedy biz
Writer, producer and performer Robert Popper has joined the line-up for Chortle’s comedy seminar next month.
The creator of Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner, Popper will share his experience of the comedy industry at the event in London’s Soho Theatre on June 13.
He joins a day-long line-up that will include top agents, bookers, TV producers and commissioners, plus Richard Herring, who will talk about his long comedy career – including how he has built his own audience using the internet.
Popper’s experience spans the world of comedy. He was a commissioner at Channel 4, where he oversaw two series of Black Books, before leaving to create the BBC Two spoof science comedy Look Around You With Peter Serafinowicz.
He was the script editor for all three series of The Inbetweeners, and produced the third and fourth series of Peep Show and even has experience in the States, as Matt Stone and Trey Parker asked him to join the writing team for the 14th series of South Park.
He is also active on the internet, co-creating the spoof religion Tarvuism with Serafinowicz and making viral videos of his wind-up calls to radio phone-ins under the name Robin Cooper – a pseudonym he also used for two books of Timewaster Letters.
The seminar is aimed at new, aspiring and up-and-coming comedians, offering invaluable tips on all aspects of the industry.
Sessions will feature top comedy agents and bookers giving advice on what they are looking for; an explanation of the complex ins and outs of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe; TV commissioners and producers explaining their process, and a session in association with trade union Equity offering tips on tax, benefits and the legal side of comedy.
An important part of the day is the chance to meet and network with industry insiders. One comic said of last year’s inaugural event: ‘I thought the day was excellent. Really valuable, even for the likes of us with a bit more experience.’
Tickets for the event cost £95 – although an early-bird price of £80 is available until May 31. (There is an additional £10 discount for anyone who has ever performed in any of our Student Comedy Award heats, providing you are still a student)
Additionally, Chortle will subsidise at least five bursary places for those out of work or on low incomes (although not students in full-time education unless there are exceptional circumstances) at just £15 each.
To apply for one of these places, email steve@chortle.co.uk with a brief description of your circumstances, what steps you have already taken to get into comedy, and email addresses of referees.
We may also provide transport to and from other major cities – at an additional cost – if there is enough demand to make a minibus hire viable. Also email the same address if you might be interested in this.
Complete this form to secure your place:
