Review
About the Author:
Barry Neal is a graduate of Northwestern University (near Chicago, IL), where he worked with David Schwimmer, Dermot Mulroney, Ana Gasteyer, and others, in the improvisational group the Meow Show.
When not studying or performing, Barry was the goalie for the Midwest Champion Evanston Hockey Team, and also played in Europe, representing the United States.
After moving to Southern California, Barry became a regular at the Imrov, and appeared on numerous televsion shows, including the Tonight Show.
Barry now divides his time between his own successful career as a performer, and to coaching comedians. He also provides a booking service for college concerts, clubs and corporate events, often employing his former students.
Product Description
To the best of our knowledge there was never a written attempt to let the non-professionals in on that real inside information that every comedian must know: how to manage a career. This is the backstage stuff that can make or break a career, because unlike the rules concerning many other jobs, just ‘showing up’ and being funny doesn’t cut it. Those two are important, but they’re only the tip of the career management iceberg. Sure, people like Paris Hilton reportedly can earn $100,000 just for showing up at a party, but a successful comedy career can last much longer if done correctly, and is much more immune to being destroyed by a few facial wrinkles or the passing of a 30th birthday
Finally, Barry Neal reveals the ‘unwritten’ rules of professional conduct that a stand-up comedian should follow, so there is no longer a need to learn them by trial and error – the ‘hard way.’
Barry has been learning those rules for more than fifteen years now, and as a result of following what he considered to be the ‘right’ ones, his career has gotten off the ground quite nicely, leading him to appearances on the stages of comedy clubs throughout the country, appearing on the Tonight Show, and now a very busy career as a comedy coach, talent booker, and manager/rep for many other comedians and entertainers. This book reveals the serious business of comedy.
