Stewart Lee joins Chortle Conference
Sharing his experiences of the business
Stewart Lee has been added to the line-up for Chortle conference about the business of comedy.
The influential stand-up will talk about how he cut a path through the industry on his terms, and share his experiences by answering audience questions.
He joins a line-up that already includes John Lloyd, the creator of QI and Not The Nine O’Clock News, producer of all four series of Blackadder and host of Radio 4’s Museum of Curiosity.
There are also TV and radio commissioners and producers, bookers for stand-up clubs, Edinburgh lynchpins and experts from the Equity union giving advice on tax, law and other business advice. Meanwhile, stand-up John Robins will give the lowdown on what it’s like to be a working comic on the road.
The day aims to arm new and newish comedians with vital information about ‘the industry’ it could take years to acquire – as well as the chance to network with key figures.
Or if you want to go it alone, another panel will discuss the benefits and pitfalls of bypassing the traditional business model and doing it yourself.
The all-day event – running from 9.30am to 5.30pm – takes place in the Soho Theatre, Central London, on June 21, with the £99 tickets including coffee, snacks anda buffet lunch..
Here is this year's programme as it currently stands:
GETTING STARTED
The essentials you need to know about getting in to comedy with Alex Petty from the Laughing Horse, Pete Grahame from Downstairs At The Kings Head, James Woroniecki from the 99 Club and Julia Chamberlain, producer of So You Think You’re Funny? and booker for Highlight venues
THE WORKING COMIC
John Robins – a stand-up who’s not off the telly – gives an honest first-hand insight into what life is like as a working comedian on the road
THE BUSINESS SIDE
A panel of professional experts from the Equity union: Alan Lean (tax, National Insurance and benefits), Kristin Hamada (general Equity information and equal opportunities), Mike Day (contracts, copyright and legal)
THE AGENTS
What do they do? Do you need one? And how do you get one? With agents Christian Knowles, Chris Lander from Phil McIntyre and Corrie McGuire from Objective Talent Management, among others
EDINBURGH
How to get a platform at the world’s biggest arts festival with Neil Mackinnon from the Festival Fringe, Ryan Taylor, head of comedy for the Pleasance, Underbelly programmer Fiona McCurdy; and Bob Slayer, from Heroes Of Fringe
TV AND RADIO PANEL
With Channel 4 commissioner Rachel Springett and BBC Radio comedy executive Alison Vernon Smith among others
DO IT YOURSELF
Do you need the business at all? With James Mullinger, who puts on his own tours; Yianni Agisilaou, who is playing the biggest venue at the Edinburgh Fringe under his own steam; and Mat Ricardo, who releases his London Varieties live show as broadcast-quality internet videos.
Published: 4 Jun 2013
