Line-up announced for Chortle conference

All you need to know about the business of comedy

The programme has been announced for this year's Chortle Conference.

The day-long event will take place at the Pleasance, Islington, on Thursday July 9 and will cover many aspects of the business side of comedy.

Aimed at comedy performers and writers of any experience, it is full of tips on the live circuit, the Edinburgh Fringe and broadcasting – as well as practical advice on topics such as corporate work and making money from online ventures. Plus representatives from performers' union Equity will be on hand to answer specific questions on work or rights.

Speakers include Brendon Burns on the changing face of the circuit, and some of the leading lights in TV and radio production.

And as last year, there's a chance for a limited number of people to pitch ideas direct to those who make programmes.

We've cut ticket prices by up to 25 per cent on last year – and it includes a buffet lunch and coffee breaks (which also provide chances for that all-important networking).

Use this button to secure your place. It's £55 until June 22, when it rises to £75. Or there's an option to pay in two instalments of £30, the first (which is non-refundable) taken now, and we will ask you to pay the second after July 1 but before the conference. The price includes lunch, teas/coffees, and pastries on arrival as well as a full day of invaluable advice.

Here is the full programme, although more names will be announced soon:

9.00 REGISTRATION

With tea, coffee and pastries.

9.30 KEYNOTE SESSION: Brendon Burns

Brendon Burns has been a comedian for more than 20 years, winning Edinburgh's biggest prize in 2007. But for his latest tour, he is performing in anything but comedy clubs because he feels the circuit has changed – and not for the better.

Experience tells him that audiences only want to see people they know from the telly and hear their own lives reflected back at them. 'If they don't see themselves in everything you do they're not just confused, they're outraged', he says. So clubs play it safe, and provocative, original voices go unheard… and without them, won't comedy become irrelevant, wither and die?

Here he discusses whether the circuit can combat this stifling conservatism while also remaining commercially viable – and whether his own move away from established venues was 'bombastically dickish or petulant cowardice'.

This is where we discuss the future of the circuit. And we've told him to keep it relatable and uncontroversial.

10.15 THE STATE OF CLUB COMEDY

Following on from Brendon's comments a panel from the live circuit discuss what makes a good – and successful – club and how the market is changing, With Mark Tughan from the Glee club, which runs multiple venues, and Barry Ferns from the Angel Comedy Club in London – whose acclaimed nights are free for audiences. More names to be announced

The panel will look at what changes in the live circuit mean for anyone hoping to make a living from comedy.

11.00 COFFEE

11.15 HOW TO SUCCEED AT EDINBURGH

Despite the changing landscape, the Edinburgh Fringe is still a vital place for talent to get noticed. How do you put on a show in the world's biggest arts festival – and how can you get attention among hundreds of competing shows. A certain venue fiasco might also get discussed…

With Ryan Taylor, head of comedy at the Pleasance; Neil Mackinnon, head of external affairs with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society; Alex Petty, director of the Laughing Horse Free Festival; Publicist Paul Sullivan; and Chortle editor Steve Bennett.

12:00 CAN YOU MAKE MONEY ONLINE?

There's never been a greater opportunity to put your work out there. But it's never been more difficult to make money from it. Here we try to learn how to build an online audience, and capitalise on it.

With Stuart Laws from Turtle Canyon Comedy, who make YouTube videos with the likes of James Acaster and David Trent; Miles Bullough, co-founder of incubator Wildseed Studios, which commissions web series. More panelists to follow

12:40 ASK EQUITY

Michael Day and Louise Grainger from the performers' union, explain what its new Comedians' Network means for stand-ups; then invites general questions from the audience on any work or rights issues. Have your questions ready…

1.20 LUNCH

2.10 THE CORPORATE COIN

It's rarely spoken about, but corporate engagements are a valuable source of income for many comedians. How does this sector of the industry work? Is it selling out? What do brands expect when they book a comedian, With Caroline Edwards, managing director of Sparkle Productions, the UK's sole consultancy specialising in branded comedy; Sue Terry of leading voiceover agency Sue Terry Voices; Keith Palmer founder and director of the Comedy School, which runs courses teaching companies how comedy techniques can benefit them. Another name to be confirmed.

2.50 SESSION TO BE CONFIRMED

3.30 COFFEE

3.45 WHAT BROADCASTERS WANT

Always one of the favourite sessions as commissioners and producers describe what they are seeking, and what personally excites them. Get the lowdown on what the next generation of comedy shows may be; and in the second part of this session (below) get some feedback on your ideas:

With:
Chris Sussman, Executive Editor for comedy at the BBC, who has commissioned or executive produced Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe, Bad Education, Not Going Out, Ruddy Hell It's Harry And Paul and Cuckoo:
Alison-Vernon Smith, Executive Producer of BBC radio comedy whose credits include Arthur Smith's Balham Bash, Bridget Christie Minds the Gap and Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro.
Charlie Hanson, of Tantrum Films, who has produced Extras, Derek, Garth Marenghi's DarkPlace, Birds Of A Feather, Desmonds, Chef, The Harry Hill Show and many,many more
Neil Webster, of independent production company Happy Tramp, makers of BBC One's SunTrap. He was also a co-founder of Zeppotron which makes 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Would I Lie To You? and Black Mirror.

4.30 PITCH PERFECT?

Here's your chance to make a 60-second pitch to our panel of broadcasters and receive some instant feedback (but beware, it might not be what you want to hear…)