Showing posts with label sketch comedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sketch comedy. Show all posts

Friday, November 13, 2009

Spotlight On: Ben Siemon

Ben Siemon is a performer and writer at UCBTLA and watching him perform is always a pleasure. Ben has become the go-to person to spoof anything pop culture. With his big characters and knack for satire, your shame for knowing every Golden Girls episode just melts away. He's right there with you, eating a frozen cheesecake and calling you Pussy Cat.

"When Your Father Gets Home!"



"Homeward Bound"

Friday, October 30, 2009

UCBTLA & UCBComedy.com announce BETA TEAMS!

(This is from the UCBTLA Theatre Page. UCB New York folks click here.)

As many of you already know, in February 2008 the UCB Theatre introduced the creation of its third stage - UCBCOMEDY.COM. We recently completed a massive reboot of the website and we're now thrilled to announce the creation of the first ever House Teams for UCB COMEDY: BETA TEAMS!

Much like Harold Teams create improvised shows and Maude Teams create sketch shows for the UCB Theatre stage, Beta Teams will create videos for ucbcomedy.com. Beta Teams may also be given occasional live shows at the UCB Theatre to showcase their best videos and/or premiere special projects.

-Beta Teams are teams of directors, cinematographers, and editors who will work together to create and produce video content for UCBCOMEDY.COM.

-Beta Teams will receive scripts submissions from Maude teams and writers within the UCB community. Under the guidance of an approved Beta Team coach, you will select which scripts to shoot and edit, and work with the writers to produce their scripts. Beta Team members are eligible to submit scripts to their own teams, but it is at the discretion of your coach as to which scripts will be selected for production.

-Beta Teams are meant to create opportunities for directors, cinematographers, and editors to:
-gain regular feedback on their material
-gain experience in many different production situations
-collaborate with some of the top writers and actors in the UCB community

-The longterm goals for Beta Team members will be to:
-build their packets and reels with solid material for future submissions to TV and movie jobs
-find other writers, directors/DPs, and editors that they may want to work with in the future on other projects

HOW WILL BETA TEAMS WORK?

-Beta Teams will consist of a mix of six (6) directors, cinematographers, and editors. The team members will work together in varying capacities to produce and upload videos to UCBCOMEDY.COM.

-Each team will be asked to upload roughly one new video per week to UCBCOMEDY.COM. Teams will be encouraged to create one-off videos as well as video series.

-Every team member will be encouraged to learn every job on the team. As team members become more and more proficient in each skill, the production workload will hopefully be more evenly shared, and the quality and quantity of the team's videos should increase.

-Beta Teams will have access to the some UCB Comedy camera, sound, and lighting equipment. Teams will sign these out and will be responsible for returning them on time. Of course, teams may also use their own equipment.

-Beta Teams will meet with an approved team director on a weekly basis to receive feedback on their edits, read through submitted scripts (or hear pitches from invited writers), and determine which scripts they would like to produce. The team director will basically work as a studio producer - deciding which scripts to put into production, giving notes on scripts and rough edits, making casting decisions, helping to set production schedules, directing videos when needed, etc.

-Beta Teams will cast their videos from a list of interested performers from advanced Improv classes as well as interested performers from the UCBT stage. Headshots and contact info for these performers will be made available to each team. And, of course, teams can use other means to cast their videos as needed for specific roles/types. Team members may also act in their own videos, but they should give priority to always casting the best possible person available for each role.

-Each team's videos will be featured on their own page on UCBCOMEDY.COM. Teams will also create a video bumper to intro all of their videos.

-In addition to the team's director, the Artistic Director will also give feedback on completed videos. The Artistic Director will choose some videos (at his/her discretion) to promote as "UCB COMEDY ORIGINALS." ORIGINALS are chosen/developed from many different sources. In addition to their being featured on UCBCOMEDY.COM, ORIGINALS are also featured and promoted on the UCB COMEDY YouTube channel and UCB COMEDY-branded pages on other websites. Occasionally, we are also able to obtain income from advertising and other sources for ORIGINALS. When that happens, we share that income with the video creators.

-As with all new initiatives at the theatre, this process will change as needed.

WANT TO BE ON A BETA TEAM?

-Beta Team members will be selected from eligible submissions. To be eligible you must have completed a UCB Improv 401 (or higher) class OR a UCB Sketch 101 (or higher), or you must be a current UCBT writer/performer.

-If you are selected to be on a Beta Team, you must:
-attend meetings, shoots, etc. as scheduled
-be a consistent and active contributor to the team.
-perform your share of production jobs, including P.A. jobs, etc. as needed
-be able and willing to make your team a priority

-If you are not willing/able to comply with the above requirements
- DO NOT SUBMIT TO BE ON A BETA TEAM.

-If you miss more than two (2) meetings in a row, miss meetings on a regular basis, or fail to produce the required quantity of work - you will be replaced on your team.

-Beta Team members will be expected to pay their team directors for their time in meetings. This should be handled in the same way (logistically and financially) that Harold and Maude Teams pay their coaches. Teams should get approval for their team director from the Artistic Director.

HOW DO YOU SUBMIT?

-The submission deadline is Wednesday, November 11 at 7pm.

-Submissions should be dropped off at the UCB Theatre Box Office (5919 Franklin Ave. 90028), Monday through Friday, 11am to close.

-IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT TO BE AN EDITOR, DIRECTOR, AND/OR DP: Your submission should consist of a directing/editing/DP reel, no longer than 5 minutes, submitted on a playable DVD (no computer files - it should be a DVD playable in any DVD player). Your reel should focus on your ability to make good comedy videos as much or more than your technical proficiency. We want videos to look good, but we're looking for people who can really make things funny. Feel free to include videos you've written - though you don't have to. Your submission should also include a cover page telling us what position(s) you're submitting for, why you should be included on a Beta Team, and any equipment you own that you could use to help produce videos (camera, editing software/computer, etc.).

-IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT FOR MORE THAN ONE POSITION: Your submission should consist of all of the above. Please submit everything together in the same submission. DO NOT SUBMIT SEPARATELY FOR EACH POSITION.

-IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED ON THE LIST OF POTENTIAL BETA TEAM ACTORS Do nothing. We will contact eligible actors later to begin building this database.

-Your Beta Team submission should be placed in one (1) manilla envelope with your name, phone, email address, and all teachers names listed on the outside. Write BETA TEAM clearly on the envelope.

Hallow-Weiner!

I love that blog title because it's Halloween-based and a funny joke! You're welcome, world.

We also have some hilarious new Halloween videos up that may be as funny as Hallow-Weiner.

1.) Park Prank

2.) My Zombie Ex-Husband

3.) Lost Saw Scene

Watch them if you dare...

...dare to LAUGH, that is!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Who am I?

I have a crush on everyone in this video...

and no one in this video....

... And I wish the guy impersonated in this video had a crush on me...

Can you guess who I am?

Friday, August 28, 2009

The Man in the Reflective Surface

I didn't go to work as an un-employee on the day of Michael Jackson's memorial service. Traffic was a nightmare, and I need to be under some sort of influence to drive, and with more than one pedestrian out in L.A., it was just too dangerous for me.

However, someone who did make it out to the memorial is Matt Walsh, capturing the emotion and hope and dental hygiene of the memorial. Check it out.

And remember, if you want to make the world a better place... uh... I don't know this song. I was born in 1985.

Friday, August 21, 2009

1960's Found Commercials

Uncovered from the depths of Proctor and Gamble and CSC Brands, comes never-before-seen commercials featuring the wheelers and dealers of the 1960's.







*Brought to you by the UCBTLA Maude Team, Paddington.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

And the Winner is... Me!

Well, according to the accurate and popular poll, it looks like yours truly beat out Bob McBobbob in the quest to find out who has the funniest video out of everyone in the entire world. Land of the Lost came in a very close, yet oh so far, second.

Well, I'd like to thank Matty for helping me to restore my confidence when it comes to the YouTube world. He also offered to have a pizza party in my honor, but I figured this is better.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Becky Vs. Bob McBobbob

All right, folks. First ever UCB Comedy Blog Cagematch. In one corner, we got your Becky Feldmans and we got your Cissy Fenwicks, with "BBQ Sauce," a short and sweet sketch that I freakin' love that they put together. In the other, we got YouTube user rockshya23, best known for saying "ucb just keeps pumping out shit that i dont think anyone seems to enjoy,"* and his latest video, "Bob McBobbob." Who ya got? Vote at the right!

BBQ Sauce


Bob McBobbob


We're childish tools. But come on, Becky and I needed something to do in the office today. Plus, I totally feel for rockshya23, because when I was ten I thought the name "Bob" was hilarious, too.

*Source: YouTube

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Nate Dern, From UCB Comedy's American Apparel, Everyday Sexy video, in HeebMagazine.com

After getting through of the trauma of a Jewish sleep-away camp (seriously, some of the kids who go there are far to young to overhearing their counselors fingering each other while pretending to be sleeping), most young, former Jewish practitioners read Heeb Magazine.

I was stoked to see that Nate Dern, who played Dov Charney in UCBNY's American Apparel: Everyday Sexy, was featured on heebmagazine.com.

Read the article here.

Shalom!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Hey! It's Been a While!

It's been a while. It's been a while, right? I feel like I haven't blogged in a really long time. Sure, there was a few simple posts here and there but it's been a while since I really, like, blogged.

How have you been? Are you still training for that marathon? What are you up to now, the 8-minute mile? Seven!? Wow. I can go that fast, too. Well... in my car. Haha jokes. Remember when we used to joke?

Things are good for me. I'm a little behind on laundry and Twitter but that's probably my only big issue happening in my life. I've become obsessed with puppy cams lately. I wish UCB Comedy had a puppy cam, but that would mean I would have to take care of puppies. To be honest, I do a lot of drastic things when I don't go grocery shopping and when a girl is hungry a GIRL IS HUNGRY. You know what I mean? Jokes again. Oh, uh, I was hinting that I would eat a puppy if I was- you know what? Nevermind. It doesn't matter.

Joe Wengert made Penny Pizza for UCBComedy.com. That was cool. Aubrey Plaza is in it. She's supercool.

Oh, and there's Love Coupon by Angela Trimbur. Remember when we used to do that? Love coupons? You still owe me a foot massage, but, blah, that's all in the past.

Anyway, I should go. Yeah, I should probably go. I should just g-

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

100 Posts!

This is UCB Comedy's 100th post. Yay!

It's totally crazy. A sequel to Drag Me to Hell is already in the works. Some of it has even been shot and guess what people? You can watch it right here!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Like Butter

Watch UCB Comedy's hilarious new video, Butter Water!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

New Videos!

Hey Peoples.

We've got some new original comedy videos. Check them out at UCBComedy.com.





Friday, April 3, 2009

My favorite comments on UCB Comedy's YouTube Page.

Have you been to UCB Comedy's YouTube Page? Not to brag or anything, but we're like YouTube gods. Like, we're supercool. So, beenerkeekee can go screw himself... which I think he can physically do because I believe he's a hermaphrodite.

What am I saying? Beenerkeekee is adorable. I'm sorry.

Anyway, some people leave hilarious comments on our YouTube videos and I feel as if i should share some them with you.

1.) I Washed My Hands!

- Someone asks "Is that Ethan Suplee in the background?" That's hilarious because it's not. It's Harrison Brown. As in Harrison Brown-Suplee. Ethan's identical twin brother.

2.) Ipod Shuffle

Someone says "just like ur mom." This isn't as funny as it is true. Yes, this internet video does resemble my mother. This comment is far from ambiguous or retarded because this user really understands every detail of my mother. Thank you for that, Mr. Commenter.

3.) Infomercial Date

Someone writes, "Makes you wonder...why the fuck are we paying NASA for all of this info crap. Can we cut them out of the national budget? I don't need a magic mop or a magic magic set or a tape recorder that can fit into the palm of my hand...all of that stuff was around when I was 2, but it was bigger, and suckier."

Yeah, fuck NASA! You, NASA, accidentally send teens into space and make them put their differences aside and work together to make it back to Earth. Fuck that shit.

I'll be adding some more YouTube comments later because it's my nap time right now.

For now, you can write some hilarious comments below.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Babiesssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I was younger, I took ballet lessons. All over the dance studio, there were pictures of Anne Geddes babies in tutus. However, during class we were never allowed to wear tutus. Go figure. (Like boys' swimming lessons in the 1960's, girls' ballet lessons in the 90's had us practice in the nude.)

Watch this. Then, if you feel like it, share the most redundant dead-baby joke I've ever heard. Whoever shares the dead baby joke that's the most popular among high school juniors, who do stage crew, gets a prize.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Breast Picture

I can't stop giggling at the title. Haha. I almost typed tittie. (Even though it's spelled titty.)

I know I'm a girl and I should be more mature, but seriously boobs are funny. The word "boob" is funny. But I think any word with two of the same letters next to each other is funny. Just like the words "letter" and "funny".

Okay, enough of this crass talk, Feldman. It's time to get to the point.

Johnathon Smith made a movie. Like a movie movie and the preview is up on UCBComedy.com. It features so many UCB people, it's outrageous and I better be invited to the red carpet premier of it for blogging about it. (I have a dress picked out, Jonathon. Just so you know.)

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

When I was in second grade, I remember we had to write a short paragraph and draw a picture of what we would do if we found a pot of gold. I wrote that I would pay Billy Joel to sing at my 9th birthday party (he couldn't make it to my 8th, unfortunately.)

After we finished, my teacher looked at all of our projects and yelled at us saying that we were way too selfish. Other students said they would buy a car, or give it to their stepfather as a bribe to move out, or built the White House on the moon and become president of the moon.

Apparently, she was expecting us to write that we would give all of our gold to Nicaraguan children. (There was some shit going on there in the early 90's, right? I don't know. I guess I was too busy watching Animaniacs instead of 60 Minutes when I was 8 years old. Fuck me for being so unaware!)

Even though the assignment pretty much called for us to be selfish, I always felt bad about it. Now, that I have this great UCBComedy blog to express myself, I'd like to redo this assignment from second grade to show how selfless I truly am.

If I found a pot of gold right now, I would totally give it to Nicaraguan Children.

Oh, hey, I'm starting a new improv troupe called Nicaraguan Children if anyone wants to be a part of it. We just got this amazing pot of gold...

But to truly understand the art of improvisation, I suggest you watch this video:

Friday, March 13, 2009

Becky's Culinary Review of Food People Leave Around at UCB.

I'm in love with Anthony Bourdain. There. I said it.

If I were cultured and shit, I think I would be a food critic. And since Matty stole my blog post idea about bragging about how awesome we are for winning a ENCY award, I'm going to write a culinary review about the snacks that people leave in the UCBTLA office overnight.

To my right, someone left a container of Blue Diamond Natural Oven Roasted Almonds that are flavored with cinnamon brown sugar. I get the concept, but it tastes too much like breakfast. If I get light-headed later, I may take one more. However, snacks should be snacks and breakfast should be breakfast.

Behind my computer, someone left a bag of Boulder Canyon spinach and artichoke flavored potato chips. Well, they left an empty bag of said potato chips. There are still some crumbs in it, so I can only base my opinions on said crumbs. Two words: "Fucking Delicious." Six words: "Oh wait. That was my finger."

Next to the phone, there's a bottle of Advil Tablets. I personally like to call them Ibuprofen Lady-Fingers but whatever. They can hold me over until lunch.

In front of the printer/fax/copier, there's a blue plastic cup with water in it. It had a horrible follow-through but pretty decent after-taste.

Finally, next to the file cabinet is an enormous box of Sun-maid Raisins. I hate raisins. That, I didn't even taste. Fuck raisins. It's like eating old people or your brother's green army soldiers that your dog chewed on. Seriously, fuck raisins. Fuck them. I can't even begin to write about how intensely I wish raisins would go fuck themselves.

I guess this is why I can't be a real food critic.

Hey, if you're in LA tomorrow night at midnight, you should check out Sketch Cram. Matty and I are writing for it, and then, at the end of the night, we're going to punch each other in the face. Don't miss it.

Check out this video from last month's sketch cram.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Our Struggle!

Our Struggle is one of the newest Maude Teams at UCBTLA and they've posted some of their newest videos online.

Check it out.

Newest. It sounds weird when you say aloud a few times. Newest.