The Comics

A FLIM BY JORDAN BRADY
AN ODE TO THE ART & OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS OF STAND-UP COMEDY
Directed by: Jordan Brady
Executive Producers: Preston Lee and Phyllis Koenig
Producer: James Lawler
Produced by: Robert Mickelson
Co-Produced by: Jennette MacLachlan
Edited by: Karoliina Tuovinen
Composer: David Reynolds
Titles & Animations: Aisling Harbert
Runtime: 87 Minutes
© MMX Stand-up Sucks, LLC
MPAA RATED R
Trailer: http://www.montereymedia.com/independent/i_am_comic_trailer.html
Website: www.iamcomicmovie.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/iamcomicmovie
Youtube: www.youtube.com/iamcomicmovie
Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/montereymedia/sets/72157625854386458/
Reviews
“I loved it." Rosie O'Donnell
“More laughs per minute than most comedies this year.” – Ain’t It Cool News
“The movie is hilarious and I can’t say there was a soul in my super-packed screening
not enjoying every moment thoroughly.” - SLUG Magazine
“4 Stars. Entertaining… enlightening look at the world of stand-up comedy.”
– Mountain Xpress
“Fascinating” – Variety
“It damn sure is funny.” – DVD Release Report
“3 out of 4 Stars. The first thing that a documentary about stand-up comedy ought to
be is funny. Thankfully, I Am Comic succeeds handily on that count.” – Toronto Star
“I Am Comic Laugh Riot” – Now Magazine
“4 out of 5 Stars. Recommended Thumbs Up” – Eye Weekly
“So many hilarious, quote-worthy quips…I Am Comic rivals Paul Provenza's The
Aristocrats and the Jerry Seinfeld doc Comedian in both laughs per minute and fresh,
raw insight into the minds of our modern-day court jesters”
– National Post
“A laugh-out-loud watch” – DiscDish.com
“This behind the scenes glimpse at stand-up life is fascinating, disturbing—and as
riveting, raw and hilarious as it gets.” – FilmThreat.com
“Compelling viewing, with plenty of laughs” – Century City News
“The topics are fascinating, the anecdotes are candid, and the cast, from Louis C.K. to
Larry Miller to Tim Allen is impressive… an awesome assortment of stories.”
- ifc.com/news
“insightful and humorous” - broadcastnewsroom.com
Reviews
“Hilarious” – Movie City News
“Fantastic… it’s really funny.” – CreatingaComic.com
“It's compelling viewing, with plenty of laughs, and when you meet this bunch
of manic depressives you'll understand why they wouldn't have it any other
way.” – NewsBlaze
“Absolutely worth it if you’re a comedy nerd.”
-ihateyourfavoritemovie.blogspot.com
“5 Stars” – bscreview.com
“4 out of 5 Stars” – Clevelandleader.com
“This little gem… go see this immediately.” – ComedyNerds.tublr.com
Synopsis:
Through unprecedented backstage access and candid interviews, the film
weaves through the absurd world of the working comedian and reveals a crazy
and hilarious psychological profile of its practitioners. We also follow retired
comic Ritch Shydner’s attempt to climb back on stage after a thirteen-year
hiatus. At the top of his game in the 1980's, Shydner had HBO specials, shot
five pilot TV shows, and numerous late night appearances (Carson, Letterman,
Leno, etc.) but the big time eluded him. Equipped with the collective wisdom
and nutty musings of over 80 of his peers, he gives it another shot. Does Ritch
have what it takes to connect with today's young crowds and still get the
laughs? Guaranteed to make you watch.
About the Film:
There were several shoots where Brady would have nothing more than his
handheld camera and a small light, making him a one-person crew. Brady
would meet the comedian for the first time, then go backstage where he’d wire
them with a small microphone. Traditional interviews were lensed by
cinematographers Jeanne Lipsey and Joe Maxwell, two of the best DP’s in
commercial production.
Ritch Shydner was a stand up comedian and a headlining favorite of Comedy
Clubs in the ‘90s. He has been a comedy writer for Rosanne Barr, Ron White
and Jeff Foxworthy. His recently published book "I Killed" garnered great
reviews, and he’s currently writing another book on the history of comedy.
During the process of making the documentary, Ritch rekindled his fervor for
stand up and has gotten back on stage.
Director Bio:
Jordan Brady began as a stand-up comedian in the early 1980’s. His first
feature film, “Dill Scallion”, world premiered at the 1999 Slamdance Film
Festival. Jordan went on to helm three more feature comedies, including
Miramax’s “Waking Up In Reno” with Billy Bob Thornton, Charlize Theron,
Patrick Swayze and Natasha Richardson. He’s directed over 600 national TV
commercials and is an award-winning game show host.
Producer:
Robert Mickelson is an award winning independent feature and television
producer. His films include, Hard Choices starring John Sayles and Spalding
Gray and Scotland PA starring James LeGros, Marua Tierney and Christopher
Walken, which were both shown at the Sundance Film Festival.
Production Company:
Founded in 2005 by Preston Lee and Phyllis Koenig, Über Content is a
production company based in Hollywood, CA. Über began as a collective intent
upon creating something intimate and extraordinary. Their continued mission is
to create their own definition of what a forward thinking production company
should be. While the core business is based in advertising content, Über has
firmly fixed its sights on the development and production of quality long format
projects. The eclectic mix of directors on Über’s roster includes commercial as
well as award winning film directors: Jordan Brady, Jeffrey Fleisig, Luis Gerard,
Chris Hooper, Jason Kohn, Dave Laden, Marc Schölermann, Steven Tsuchida,
and Cole Webley.
The Comics:
Ahmed Ahmed
Franklin Ajaye
Tim Allen
Ant
Craig Anton
Tom Arnold
JoAnne Astrow
Dave Attell
Scott Aukerman
Roseanne Barr
Todd Barry
Lewis Black
Steve Bluestein
Alonzo Bodden
Eddie Brill
J. Anthony Brown
Blaine Capatch
Margaret Cho
Louis C.K.
Melanie Comarcho
Tommy Davidson
Phyllis Diller
Lou DiMaggio
Chris DiPetta
Jimmy Dore
Tom Dreesen
Bret Ernst
Jeff Foxworthy
Wayne Federman
Jim Gaffigan
Janeane Garofalo
Greg Giraldo
Nikki Glaser
Todd Glass
Judy Gold
Bobcat Goldthwait
Dana Gould
Kathy Griffin
Chris Hardwick
Clay Heery
Gideon Horowitz
Dom Irrera
Roy Johnson
Leslie Jones
Andy Kindler
Nick Kroll
Beth Lapides
Carol Leifer
Claudia Lonow
April Macie
Gary S. Mann
Carlos Mencia
Felicia Michaels
Larry Miller
Jason Nash
Rick Overton
Paul Provenza
Nadine Rajabi
Dave Rath
Donnell Rawlings
Brian Regan
Paul Rodriguez
Kevin Rooney
Steve Roye
Brad Sanders
Robert Schimmel
Iliza Schlesinger
Bill Sheft
Ritch Shydner
Sarah Silverman
Jason Sklar
Randy Sklar
Bobby Slayton
Kira Soltanovich
William Stephenson
Carrot Top
Guy Torry
Charles Veracola
Brent Weinbach
Bob Zany
Film Festivals
Official Selection – Friars Club Comedy Film Festival
The Best of Slamdance - World Premiere & Encore Screening
Bridgetown Comedy Festival – Opneing Night Film & Encore Screening
Official Selection - Feel Good Film Festival
Official Selection - Just For Laughs Comedy Festival
Official Selection - Laugh Your Ashville Off Comedy Festival
Official Selection - Just For Laughs Comedy Festival
Official Selection - Cinefamily’s Comedy Festival
Official Selection - Little Rock Film Festival
Official Selection - Atlanta Film Festival
Official Selection - Kansas City Jubilee
Official Selection - James River Film Festival
Laugh Factory V.I.P. Screening
Silent Movie Theater
ABOUT THE COMPANY
monterey media inc., incorporated in 1979, is a privately owned entertainment company. monterey media is
actively engaged in all areas of domestic media, including theatrical distribution, film festivals, and other
distinctive venues, television, digital delivery and home entertainment markets.
The Company is known for creating unique and distinctive release strategies tailored to each project. By way of
example, in 2005, the Company established a joint venture for the creation of a special theatrical event in
conjunction with AMC Theatres to launch the motion picture Indigo: A one day, 603 North America venue showing
grossed over $1,190,000 box office. 2011 will find Monte Hellman’s Road to Nowhere, which earned him the
Special Lion for Overall Work at the Venice International Film Festival and multiple other awards at several
festivals, gracing theatres nationwide.
Recently, monterey media films have been nominated for a Golden Globe Award, Independent Spirit Award, and
NAACP Image Award. Many of our films have premiered at The Sundance, Toronto, Tribeca Film, and SXSW
Festivals. The acclaimed Trucker starring Michelle Monaghan, Nathan Fillion and Benjamin Bratt (chosen by Roger
Ebert as one of the ten best independent films of 2009) recently completed a 50 city release including New York,
LA, Chicago and Dallas. For Endgame, starring Academy Award® winner William Hurt, monterey media’s theatrical
release spanned 30 cities garnering a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination for co-star Chiwetel Ejifor. The
action/romance The Red Baron starring Joseph Fiennes and premiered in multiple LA area theatres anchored by
Mann’s Chinese in Hollywood as well as over 40 other cities, followed by Hey Hey It’s Esther Bluegurger from the
Berlin International Film Festival and starring Academy Award® nominees Toni Collette and Keisha Castle-Hughes.
Earlier releases include the beautifully crafted award-winning the Secrets which began with 4 held over weeks in 4
theaters in New York City and widening to over 40 cities; Home starring Academy Award® Winner Marcia Gay
Harden premiering in multiple theaters in New York; 35 cities for Academy Award® Winner Forest Whitaker in
Ripple Effect; and Local Color starring Academy Award® nominated Armand Mueller-Stahl and Golden Globe
nominated Ray Liotta in a multiple theater New York City opening, followed by others.
The philosophy of doing good while doing well is practically a mantra at monterey media, and in addition to its
ritual support of charitable organizations the company has developed a program entitled A Weekend of Unity &
Peace. Last year’s feature film was Turk Pipkin’s One Peace at a Time, with music by Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and
Jack Johnson. <www.unityandpeace.org>
monterey is known for its creatively coordinated marketing strategies incorporating promotional alliances with
such strategic partners as Wal-Mart, Fisher Price, Pepsi Cola, American Express, Amnesty International USA,
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Patagonia, Body Glove, KIDS FIRST!, Days
Inns, Habitat for Humanity, Greenpeace, the International Motorcycle Shows and Healthy World Healthy Child and
Air Pacific.
monterey video & Emerging Technologies
The monterey video division is the 2nd oldest independent video manufacturer and distributor in the United States
now encompassing all digital markets including iTunes and Netflix. monterey is well known for its broad marketing
and its direct relationships with key retail, mail-order and internet sites, schools and libraries, and specialty
markets; all major Pay-Per-View and Video-on-Demand providers; and monterey media films can currently be
seen on, Showtime, Starz, Lifetime, PBS, Super Channel and a variety of others.
The versatile monterey video library encompasses unique feature films and documentaries with the Company
having been awarded numerous Multi-Platinum RIAA and ITA sales Awards; prestigious Independent films
starring such distinguished actors as Susan Sarandon, John Ritter, Tommy Lee Jones, William Hurt, Forest
Whitaker, David Strathairn, Brian Dennehy, Robin Williams, Danny Glover, among many others; celebrated
sports programming including Bruce Brown Films On Any Sunday and The Endless Summer; the most
prestigious educational yet entertaining library of films adapted from literature’s renowned authors combined
with acclaimed performances from many of Hollywood’s greatest actors; and note-worthy children’s
programming. In addition, monterey has the honor of being the first video market licensee of the American
Film Institute. 0311