serious discussion for moshers re: comfest

[sharleen]

Maybe its just me, but it seems very quiet (in comparison to previous years) in terms of discussion of the comedy festival this year.

I've not seen the usual lists and lists of what acts everyone wants to see, huge amounts of recommendations, etc

Nor has there been heaps of posts about when everyone will be there... (Alisso, are you down for the whole festival again?), or rolling off schedules of shows they will see when (the post regarding this - "Who & When/" is almost blank)

I've already had 3 people tell me they are slightly disappointed by the lineup, or unenthusiastic for no reason regarding the comfest this year, and I'm just wondering if more people are feeling this way?

Have people not yet seen the lineup perhaps?

I think its an important question to ask as Moshers are seen by a lot of industry people as the most enthusiastic fans of the festival

(the days of Mosh being dogged by past comedy indiscretions I think are fading - journalists/agents I have been speaking to see this as a very valuable tool, and most comics in Australia/worldwide seem to have visited here at some point in time)


For me personally, I know in comparison to the last 5 years I have not been posting as heavily about the festival.
Normally I do up a festival spreadsheet listing and upload it to the (old) ComedyLive website - www.comedylive.au.com, then I'd have interviews, etc

However, with work commitments now at the festival, I've not had time to post here, and I know I'll certainly see a lot less shows than in previous years. But its in no way due to lack of talent.
I am excited about seeing Rob Rouse, Brendon Burns, Angry Eddie, Anthony Menchetti, Damian Clark, Sista She and the Four Noels. Plus the ol' faves like Kitson, the Gala, Chris Addison, Man Bites God, Simon Munnery... and then hopefully have the time to take a few chances and see some new stuff too.

[Mythor]

I think one of the reasons might be that some people are tired of being belittled and harassed for choosing to see acts they know they enjoy, rather than filling their ComFest plate with 72 kinds of craptacular "entertainment" most people have never even heard of. Every year it's the same thing from certain "elite" ComFest patrons and perhaps this year people just can't be bothered?

Just one, of many, guesses I have as to the smaller amount of chatter...

[hails]

i know there's plenty of sydney kids doing the hsc this year, so maybe that's having an effect on the chatter? and the guide only came out last friday, so maybe all the lazy buggers who didn't go buy one (ie. me ) are waiting for theirs to be sent out? personally, i'm just generally a bit over comedy...my main reason for going to comfest is to see all the people i don't get to see through the rest of year all in one spot and dance with them into the wee hours of the morning

[kebab_oner]

hey mythor! who do you think you are, belittling the efforts of the comedy aristocracy to affect the status quo? maybe I'm getting old, but I remember the days when the mere mention of my asperger's syndrome affliction would command respect. what the hell is going on with you kids nowadays?

seriously though, it might be because the program only went out last week and it's all been pretty quiet in terms of publicity... no press releases, no zing, no nothing! about a fortnight ago, things were so quiet I was seriously wondering if comfest was still happening. most people have only had a few days to even start considering an itinerary.

[sharleen]

yeah, I still find it suprising though.

The comfest guide is available online via the Comedy Festival website now for those who havent got a copy.

And Myth - I know a lot of people just want to see what they like rather than who they dont know because money is scarce or whatever, but it still doesnt explain what I see and hear as a 'lack of enthusiasm'. Everyone that goes to Comfest knows how enthusiastic WE can be. Even if it involves just seeing the one act.

My explanation was actually leaning more towards the fact that perhaps less Moshers are flying interstate (cause of HSC, whatever), coupled with the countless other events on (Adelaide Fringe, Parramatta Big Laugh).

Its 2 weeks till the fest. Its not that far away so momentum should be building.

[Cherryish]

Originally Posted by sharleen

Its 2 weeks till the fest. Its not that far away so momentum should be building.

I felt like I was being told off for not being enthusiastic with that last line :p

Perhaps its also because most of the people here are good friends and are sharing the excitement amongst themselves rather than on the board? Or something...? I agree the excitement seems to be lacking, but I'm sure there are good reasons for it.

[Mythor]

- Increased comedy saturation:
Three commercial TV stations launched comedy skit shows (Ch7's Big Bite, Ch9's Comedy Inc., Ch10's SkitHOUSE) as well as a couple of other comedy (or semi-comedic) shows such as Micallef, Enough Rope, 110% Tony Squires, et al.
Increased subscription to Foxtel which has an entire channel devoted to comedy has also contributed.
Sydney has also had a resurgence in the comedy scene with venues such as Sydney's Comedy Store gaining greater prominence along with some newer establishments getting started. Additionally, shows such as The Glasshouse offering free tickets to tapings that occur every week/fortnight ensures a steady flow of comedy.

- Increasing elitism within the comedy industry:
More and more it is becoming obvious that you are either "in" with the right people by being very talented, or crawling up the right bums. If you don't, you are out.
You can also be out for professing to find the works of certain comedians to be good, when that is not the "popular" belief. For example, mention that you find Rove to still be amusing and a good contributor to the improvement of comedy's profile within Australia and you'll be damned by any number of people.
If you don't run a room, regularly attend a room, perform or sing the praises of anyone who does any of the above, you have no right to comment on any aspect of the comedy industry. And will be told so any time you do express an opinion.

- Fear of terrorism:
Large public gatherings, such as those that will be found in Melbourne in about 2 weeks time, still make some people a little nervous. Not to mention that many people will be travelling by a current weapon of choice - aeroplane.
Travel in general is viewed with trepidation by many, as unfamiliar surroundings make people nervous. Coupled with nerves about terrorism, people are less inclined to go away.

- Too many shows:
As Gutter Monkey posted over at the new Comic Attitude forum (post found here) there are too many shows versus the number of people who will attend the festival. His point was that people putting on shows should not be expecting a large number of attendees if they're not so well known, but look at it from a possible attendees point of view:
Let's assume I rock up in Melbourne one night and can readily find information on what shows happen to be on that night and which haven't already been sold out. Going by the very long list on the official site, I may have 20+ performances to choose from?? Things may be somewhat simpler if I can nab a ticket to an act I know of.. But what if I want to try and pick an "unknown" to take a chance on? Who do I choose?
So it's a bit hard to be trying to pick out exactly who you want to see this far out. The options are (almost) endless.

- Increased apathy:
People who have been before know what they're in for and thus aren't as fussed on running around like Chicken Little screaming about how they're going to see 17 zillion acts and OMG it's gunna be liek totaly AWESOME!!!!
Newer people are mostly refraining so they don't have the people I mentioned in my last post being killjoys and raining on their parade.
More people are also realising that comedy is just a form of entertainment, and there's plenty more comedy to be found than just that at the festival. And live comedy that sucks is absolutely no different to televised comedy that sucks. And people are starting to realise that...

- Increased awareness that "they" are watching us:
After last year's festival, it was no longer avoidable that various "talent" and their managers were here, and they're watching. While not everyone here is overly self-concious, it has reined in the more easily embarassed people.
After witnessing the treatment handed to one MOSHer merely trying to spread the love to those less fortunate by a certain person's agent, some people are less willing to talk about their plans in public, since certain agents and comedians are.. shall we say.. less than professional.. when it comes to their fans/audiences. Exploiting people and stabbing loyal fans in the back is not cool, okay?


And lastly... It's still two weeks away!
Momentum is building, but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't become an insane asylum in here until the last couple of days, at best.
Next year might be interesting, though. :lookarou:

[smuffy]

Originally Posted by Cherryish

Perhaps its also because most of the people here are
good friends and are sharing the excitement amongst themselves rather than on the board? Or something...? I agree the excitement seems to be lacking, but I'm sure there are good reasons for it.

I think that's a fair call with many of us Melbournians.

[Alisso]

I've actually been mentally on the plane and in Melbourne for the past six months or so, to be honest *g* I've been counting the days, but I guess all the excitement's been funnelled into my lj *g*

I noticed you hadn't done your traditional spreadsheet, Sharleen (very disappointed *G*), so I've made up my own mini version, of just my list of must-see shows (in the realm of 40 or so, I think...). I've booked my flights, my accomodation, my gala tickets...hell, I've even made a shopping list of what I need to go and buy on my first day in Melbourne (I was bored, okay? *g*).

I think the lack of excitement on MOSH is partly to do with the changes the board itself has gone through over the past year or so. Myth's right, more of the people who are going this year have been before and know what to expect. And more of the people who would normally be running around excitedly feel like their enthusiasm is inappropriate behaviour because of the way the enthusiastic have been treated in the past. And a lot of the people who will be at comfest this year haven't been posting as much lately as they were around this time last year, doubtless for a plethora of different reasons.

Then too, there's a few people who can't make it this year, and who cringe whenever the topic is mentioned cause they're feeling deprived *grins in the direction of Nick* so maybe some people are feeling guilty and keeping the enthusiasm out of sight?

I dunno...I know I'm mentally bouncing off the walls, but that could just be me? *g*

[Munchkin]

Mythor and Alisso have already given a whole lot of very good reason.
It's still weeks away, a month for me, and there's a lot of stuff between now and then. Both comedy related and otherwise.
We've been talking about it elsewhere, in person, on lj etc.
A lot of people who came last year can't come this year.
A lot of people who can come this year have been before so it's not as 'exciting'.
I've a list of about 15 shows I'm planning on seeing but won't be posting my timetable on MOSH, like I didn't last year.
Maybe we'll see some more activity after the Gala.

[sharleen]

well, fair enough.
thanks for your input.

I'm not trying to tell people off for being 'unenthusiastic' - I'm just trying to understand and interpret what I've had expressed to me in the past week.

eg. it's 2 weeks till the festival - media should be at building to almost saturation point, thus public interest in terms of discussion, ticket buying, etc should be building.

Forgive me - I'm in the midst of marketing and PR mode, and feedback is important.

Its proven that my sources are a minority, and that I should therefore have nothing to worry about.
maybe.
But its given me stuff to think about.

[VAxwell]

A lot of the big name acts are getting more and more expensive each festival. A few years ago, you could see three good shows a night for about $30. Now the price has doubled. I know that the economy is nothing without inflation, and that comedians have to eat (and drink), but so do we poor students.

Maybe it's because I expected a lot from the festival last year, and was bitterly disappointed. Maybe it's because of events that happened last year, that have made me not look forward to it this year. Maybe it's because it's too much effort when you have to work and go to uni. My uni marks suffered a lot last year and the year before because they expect you to stay home and do your assignments on the one week break they give you.

Maybe it's because I've seen comedy all year (I know that a lot of people haven't been able to get to as many shows as me, but these are just my reasons for not looking forward to the festival as much) and with so many comedians promising 'new shows' and then mixing old material in.

Maybe it's because personal circumstances have changed. Friends aren't friends anymore. Friends aren't themselves anymore. Other friends aren't as friendly as you want them to be. Some friends are too friendly and it becomes awkward.

I'll stop now, before I become too obscure, but I'll leave you with this thought to ponder over the course of the festival; What can be insideout or right way in, soundless and loud, soft and coarse?

[nikksta]

Smuffy and I (and with several others) have discussed comfest shows at length and will probably continue to do so in the next few weeks. I think we've talked about at least two thirds of the program, if not much more.

(Does that sound right to you, smuff? 'Cos I can't remember how big that mental list is of ours anymore.)

I myself and quite psyched up about the festival and am going to send my mother insane if I don't stop soon (thankfully she'll be in Bali for those few weeks). Though, I've been fairly busy with the work i've been doing on posters and flyers and the like lately and also just been going out way too much (I'm going to over do it before the festival starts and probably die in a gutter on Swanston St in the first week).

I'm also, unfortunately, not going to be able to see as many shows as i'd planned to/have as many late nights as I want to because I might be getting a job in the next week or so which will see me die, or cripple me severely...

There are so many reasons why i'm looking forward to the festival and so many against, but I just don't have the time to tell all of them... just like I don't have the time to make really big lists to put on mosh.

[dermo]

Well I am certainly looking forward to it, I'm looking forward to seeing all the people I haven't seen for years, esp Anthony Morgan YAY. Also going to see tripod and wil anderson and see if Justin Hamilton lives up to all the things you guys have been saying on here. Plus I get to see the acts I have heard by never seen such as the scardies and Man Bites God. Also that show comedy, postmodernism and me sounds interesting.

[smuffy]

Originally Posted by nikksta

Smuffy and I (and with several others) have discussed comfest shows at length and will probably continue to do so in the next few weeks. I think we've talked about at least two thirds of the program, if not much more.

(Does that sound right to you, smuff? 'Cos I can't remember how big that mental list is of ours anymore.)

Mental list requires remembering things .... brain doesn't function that effectively! But yeah, we went through a fair whack of it. I tend not to make lists, mostly because I never stick to them. There's some definites, mostly people/groups I've seen before, and some probables, and some no way if you plan to charge that much when you're doing that many shows in that venue. *decides to wait for August*

Work are getting quite sick of me going on about it. And I haven't even started writing my recommendations on the walls of the kitchen yet!