Workshop: How to stand up… like a fish

James Burns

James Burns

I was lucky enough to experience one of Funny Women's regular ‘Stand Up to Stand Out’ workshops at Leicester Square Theatre recently. I had been looking forward to it with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation. The blurb says that this workshop improves confidence & frees creativity! Sign me up! But do you actually have to get up and do five minutes of stand up at the end of the day? Oh that's a whole other kettle of fish…

It's all in the name really. All that was running through my head on the way there was ‘be funny, be funny. Shit! Be funny!’  Complete brain blank! Of course, I can't think of a single funny thing to say, even to myself.  Where will I start? ‘I'm a Coley, they're a funny fish’? Poke fun at myself and make everyone laugh at me? That's the best way, right? Can't beat a bit of self-deprecation to be a funny woman.

The first exercise was to tell an anecdote about our lives to test listening and memory skills. It was really good as we all have stories to tell, whether it's dealing with complaints in Ikea, dancing on tables in Germany, or catering for hundreds of people at a dinner party, there's lots of fodder there for material or bait for your hooks if you will…

The next exercise was about perceptions and how other people view us, which is always enlightening and amusing, followed by an exercise entitled ‘I love, I hate, I wish’. Fresh off London's public transport system I was straight into a rant about everything ‘I hate’ about living in the capital!

My two minutes in the spotlight were getting closer and I was thinking ‘there's no way I'm getting up there’, but as my time came, I decided that as I was there to have a go, I would have to see it through.  I did a bit about my addiction to my mobile phone and our love/hate relationship. I'd devised a list of things you never usually get round to doing if your mobile phone ever dies when you’re on public transport: pelvic floor exercises, bum clenches (something for the boys too), split-end cutting and even flossing your teeth!

I learnt a lot, from whether or not there is an actual lipstick called ‘Gay Geranium’, to the fact that (more importantly)  even the smallest things can be funny. It seems that there is no fish too small to fry when it comes to comedy, or any fish analogy too far when it comes to me writing this review! It also confirmed a few things that I knew already: being funny is fun, laughter is always the best medicine and cliches are best avoided unless you're named after a fish. 

There are plenty of workshops in the comedy sea, but do the Funny Women one! It will change your life! It may even get you hooked on comedy for life!!

Rebecca Coley is a freelance writer, director and performer who makes both comedy and drama and also managed LOCO 2013 (London Comedy Film Festival).  Follow her on Twitter @beckycoley

Check these out

From the Funny Women Team

March Gig Guide 

What better way to enjoy the lighter evenings than booking in some fantastic live comedy. We’ve rounded up our recommendations for this month’s funnies, from some new, some not-so-new tour shows, to our very own International Women’s Day event, to variety nights and more.

Read More »

New look for Brighton

It is with absolute joy and pride, I embark on the role of producer for Funny Women Live in Brighton.
The Funny Women shows at Komedia have always been extremely important and successful. In fact this is Funny Women’s longest standing relationship with a venue.

Read More »

Why women should invest in women

I have observed more generally, that whilst women will attend traditional business networking events, they are more reticent to attend something with the words ‘funny’ or ‘comedy’ in the title, which is surprising when humour plays such a vital role in our lives. Collectively women are really funny.

Read More »
Get notified when registration opens

Comedy Shorts Award Entry Requirements

The deadline for registration for the Comedy Shorts Award has passed.

Funny Women NextUp…Comedy Shorts Award

Are you a budding Director? Producer? Screenwriter? Are you collaborating with friends to make a funny video? Then we are looking for YOU!

If you have a short film or sketch that you think is hilarious, then enter your work for our Comedy Shorts Award to be in with a chance of winning some life-changing support and mentoring from comedy professionals.

WHAT KIND OF FILM ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

A 1- 6 minute film that can take the form of anything comical. It’s a great opportunity to show us your creative flair and have fun!

WHO CAN ENTER?

This award is open to all women filmmakers and content developers. The film must be an original narrative created, produced and devised by a woman, or women, although male cast and crew members are allowed.

ARE THERE ANY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR MY FILM?

Yes – we require all films to be 6 minutes or under, to be entirely original dialogue, to not feature brand logos and most importantly, to only use music with the written consent of the performer and/or publisher either personally or via the PRS system https://www.prsformusic.com/ .

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH MY FILM?

We will broadcast selected entries on our Funny Women YouTube channel and social media (so keep an eye out) and the top 10 finalists’ films will also hosted on a dedicated Funny Women Comedy Shorts Awards page on our website. We will also broadcast the final 3 entries as part of the grand final night.

HOW IS IT JUDGED?

Films are judged for production, concept, delivery/performance, creativity, writing and overall funniness. The top 10 films are then viewed by an independent judging panel of top television and film industry professionals who will choose one overall winner and two runners up. The final three will be invited to attend the grand final in London on the 23rd September.

WHAT CAN I WIN?

2021 Funny Women Awards Prizes

The deadline for registration for the Comedy Shorts Award has passed.

If you need further information please contact us here