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Colleges
College Directory - Search our directory of over 4,000 colleges (including student activities info!)
Direct Resources
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Soapboxer and headliner Buddy Bolton was recently nice enough to share the notes he's taken from years of commercial work. This is an invaluable resource for any comedian looking to break into that world (or just get better at it).
Promotion
For all these companies, please tell them that Comedy Soapbox refered you. They may cut you a deal, but even if they don't, they will be happy to deal with you. Comedy Soapbox receives nothing for these endorsements, and these products are all ones that we use ourselves.
- Headshot Duplication - 500 for $90. 1000 for $120. 2000 for $205. High quality and fast turn around.
- VHS, Hi-8, Mini DV Tapes - Insane prices for quality material. Example: you can get 50 15-minute tapes, sleeves, and labels for about $50 including shipping.
- Business Cards - Don't get the free cards from Vista Print, because everyone will recognize the design and know they're free. But to upload your own full color, on quality card stock is about $45 for 500 (including shipping). Up that by $10 or $15 and get another 500 cards.
- Brochures - We've dealt with Bargain Printing a lot. Great customer service, good product. Get 1000, trifold brochures, full color, for about $350 including shipping.
- Postcards - Bargain Printing is an excellent company. 1000, full color, double sided cards for $150. Wow.
- T-Shirts - The company has been making shirts and other such products for comedians for 18 years. Call 704 542-2868, or e-mail tom@standupstuff.com. Mention you heard about them from Soapbox to save 50% off screen fees.
- CDs - 1000 CDs, in shrink wrapped jewel cases with a front a back cover insert for $995.
- Folders - Great for press kits. 25 standard black folders for $10.
- Gussetted Mailers - Rigid envelopes that will allow you to send press kits and tapes. They expand to accomodate tapes, or can be slim to send docs. 100 for $35.
Know of any good deals? Tell us!
Services
- Credit Card Machines - Indie Merch Table is offering satellite credit card machines FREE. If you sell merch after a show, you increase your sales by around 50% accepting credit cards (more if you play colleges). These guys have the lowest minimums and fees in the business, and their machines are quality. If it helps you sell three extra items a month, its worth it. I've hunted hard and this is the best I've found.
- Websites - Soapbox Web Development provides high quality websites for just $300!
- Graphic Design - Need postcards designed? Business cards? Special projects? Talk to Adam Wood, an awesome freelance designer who has promised to work with the Soapbox for half his regular rate. Just $100 for postcards and $50 for business cards - well worth it. Please email and ask a quote for special projects.
Some examples:
- Custom Widgets - Aaron Dunn is designing widgets for performers. A widget is basically a way to share your content on many web pages at once while only updating one. I.e. you upload video, audio, pictures, etc, they host it all, and your fans can see it all in one place, and it can be reposted elsewhere (like on your fans pages). This is great for anyone who uses MySpace or a similar site to communicate with fans. $75.
Books (Soapbox recommends)
- How to Be a Working Comic - This is the book you need if you want to make it. It teaches comics about the business side of things, as well as discussing material and how to write. If you are serious about becoming a comedian, Dave Schwenson is the man to listen to. (So you know, he was the guy behind A&E's Evening at the Improv, among other things). Get a new one for under $12, or buy it used for as little as $6.
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing - By Jim Mendrinos (Gotham Writer's Workshops), this book is filled with great excersizes and advice to help any aspiring writer or old pro hone their skills.
- Filthy, Funny, and Totally Offensive - The dirtiest jokes we all know, featuring some Soapbox comics!
Books (Users recommend)
- Comic Insights: The Art of Stand-up Comedy - Essential advice about understanding the fundamentals of stand-up, studying other comedians, finding your own style, writing your material, working the live performance and appearing on television.
- Successful Stand Up Comedy - Any would-be comedian will relish the candid advice here: from getting good material to polishing an act, this covers all the basics essential to professional productions.
- Comedy Writing Step By Step: How to Write and Sell Your Sense of Humor - Mr. Perret teaches traditional comedy writing through word association exercises. Reading this book won't make you funny, but doing the excercises might. The best beginner book.
- Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy - A great book if you are starting out and want multiple perspectives.
- Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy - Essential for the aspiring comic or the working comedian interested in updating his or her comedy routine, Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy is the most comprehensive and useful book ever written on the art of the stand-up comedian.
Networks
- Comedy Central - The premiere comedy TV network. Shows like Premium Blend and Comedy Central Presents have featured several of our comedians.
- Comedy Express - New network focusing on short form content and actively looking for submissions!
General Resources
- The Hack FAQ - Think you might be a hack comedian? Check to make sure.
- Zoiks! - Interviews with comedians, including a few from this site.
Comedy Listings
- Chuckle Monkey - Wow. Can we say that again? Wow. Road comics - if you ever need a resource, go here. Now.
- The Comedy Green Room - Great resource site, with a good focus on standup in Canada.
- Inside Joke - These guys have an awesome NYC comedy listing, as well as some pretty funny stuff in general.
- Nashville Stand-up - Not in the New York area? If you're in Tennessee, check out some the laughs to be had when not at the Grand Ole Opry.
- DC Standup - This is a great resource for anyone pursuing comedy in the DC area.
- Indy Standup - Indy like Indianapolis, not independant.
- Cleveland Yuks - Cleveland rocks as well.
- CinComedy - Cincinnati and the surrounding areas, like Kentucky, Columbus, and such.
- Seattle Comedy - Seattle has produced rain, Starbucks, and some of the best comics in the country.
- Comedy Speak - More from the Pacific Northwest.
- Humor Links - In case you have a few days to waste.
E-Zines
- The Comical - Currently focusing on the New York scene, The Comical is a new print and online publication that details the comedy world.
- Shecky - Is this the oldest Standup eZine? Well, if not, it should be.
- Stage Time - A magazine specifically for Standup Comics
- One Trick Pony - One Trick Pony is a humor site that also conducts interviews with comedians.
- Humor Times - They specialize in editorial cartoons. Free samples and subscriptions available.
Other Clubs
- Stress Factory - Are you in New Brunswick? Too tired to come into the city for our shows? Then check out the comedy club in your own back yard.
- Comedy Catch - Even more Tennessee comedy - but this time, it's in Chattanooga. Check out the Comedy Catch if you're in town.
- Funny Farm - If you're in Atlanta, check out the Funny Farm, run by comic Marshall Chiles. Tell him the Soap Box sent you.
- Ultimate Laff Down - A great contest at two clubs - one in Los Angeles, one in Orange County.
Other Classes
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