January 31, 2012

Bullish: How to Make Money as an Artsy-Artist Commie Pinko Weirdo, Part I
by Liz McKeon - 0

By Contributor Jen Dziura 

This article originally appeared on TheGloss.

Have you ever read a “How to Get Ahead in Your Field in 90 Days or Less Using Negotiating Techniques/Mind Control/Fairy Dust” article or book and just sort of let the advice glance off, assuming that it doesn’t really apply to you because you don’t wear a suit and look like a businesslady stock photo?

I live on Wall Street, and once walked up out of the subway to see a movie being filmed on Wall Street. It was a Saturday, and all the besuited people were actors. It looked just like … well, a movie. Because everyone was very young and attractive, and also carrying briefcases — rich, shiny leather, or gleaming chrome. Briefcases. No one does that. Not even on Wall Street. This was some Platonic ideal of Wall Street, minus all the grumpy older men with bad skin and frowzy trenchcoats who try to cut the line at Starbucks.

Are you are imagining “business” exclusively the way it is portrayed in the movies, or — even better — the movies of your formative years? Like Wall Street or Boiler Room or even What Women Want (gross when it came out, and even grosser now, Mel Gibson). I have found myself doing this. For instance, certainly you’ve heard the advice to make friends with gatekeepers, to always be nice to the receptionist. It’s easy to see myself doing this on Mad Men. She has a beehive and a prim little suit and would like it if you sent flowers. But in real life, the person at the front desk is almost certainly a 23 year old who is always on Facebook. She is wearing leggings. So, yes, that is the person you are supposed to be nice to. (For the record, if I made less than $15 an hour, I would wear leggings too, just to stay sane.)

Read the rest at TheGloss.


Jennifer Dziura (jenniferdziura.com) writes career and life coaching advice for young women at TheGrindstone and TheGloss. She believes you can make money without being a douchebag. She believes in working harder and smarter now so you can have "balance" when you're wrinkly and covered in diamonds. She believes in starting businesses on zero dollars, selling expensive things to rich people, and laughing very hard at people who try to "manifest their dreams" without learning any real skills or shaping the fuck up. She likes to help. Jennifer also performs (sort of) educational one-woman shows about philosophy and punctuation. Her "The History of Women in 30 Minutes" is appearing in the Women in Comedy Festival.
Read More

January 30, 2012

Here's Your 'Bridesmaids' Drinking Game for Your Monday Morning Hangover
by Liz McKeon - 0

By WICF Editor Liz McKeon  Good morning!    What, rough weeken...
Read More

January 25, 2012

Are Mainstream Awards Important in Comedy?
by Liz McKeon - 1

By WICF Editor Liz McKeon After yesterday's Academy Awards nominations were announced, I was excited to see Melissa McCarthy recognized, of course, and after...
Read More

January 24, 2012

Bullish: Using Your College Skills to Succeed After College
by Liz McKeon - 0

By Contributor Jen Dziura This article originally appeared on TheGrindstone. I always say that you shouldn’t take business advice from someone whose only business...
Read More

"Bachelorette" Premieres at Sundance, Draws Inevitable Comparisons
by Liz McKeon - 0

By WICF Editor Liz McKeon Writer-Director Leslye Headland's movie based on her off-Broaday play premiered last night in Park City, and the comparisons are blowing...
Read More

January 20, 2012

Finding the Funny: Books You NEED to Read in Your Lifetime
by Liz McKeon - 0

By Contributor Allison Haskins The two things I love most in the world are reading and comedy. When I stumble upon the wonderful gems that incorporate both,...
Read More

Festival Acceptances Have Been Announced
by Liz McKeon - 0

All submissions emails have been sent out. Applicants were notified whether or not they were accepted to the festival. If you applied and do not receive an...
Read More

January 19, 2012

That Comedian’s Girlfriend
by Liz McKeon - 0

By WICF Contributor Barbara Holm Today Eddie Brill got fired for saying he doesn't think women comedians are authentic. I don’t celebrate anyone losing a job,...
Read More

My Life as Told by the Shit I Left in My Parents’ Basement: Why Traveling Back Home Always Makes Me Feel Kind of Weird
by Liz McKeon - 0

By Guest Contributor Christa Weiss Coming home is always a bit strange for me. Really strange, actually. The last time I visited my parents, I opened...
Read More

January 17, 2012

Bullish: Are You Thinking Too Small?
by Liz McKeon - 0

By Contributor Jen Dziura This article originally appeared on TheGrindstone. Ever since I first figured out how a screwdriver works (you don’t necessarily need...
Read More

Notifications Will Be Out by Thursday
by Liz McKeon - 0

By WICF Editor Liz McKeon We love our spiffy new applications site, but it's been experiencing some growing pains as of late. To all of the comics who applied...
Read More

January 14, 2012

Geeking Out With ... Elyse Schuerman
by Pam Victor - 0

By WICF Contributor Pam Victor  [“Geeking Out with ... ”  is a series of interviews with well-known, highly experienced improvisers. It’s a chance...
Read More

January 12, 2012

The Ideal Receptionist, As Imagined by the Older White Man on the Other End of the Phone
by Liz McKeon - 0


By WICF Contributor Barbara Holm


"Yeah, I do have weekend plans. And furthermore I feel totally
comfortable sharing them with a stranger."

"Oh my gosh, you got an attorney's voicemail? I cannot believe it! The
only possible explanation is that sinister wrongdoings have
transpired. Let me scour the building, nay, the world for him! No, of
course I won't put you on hold; I have a Bluetooth, sorry, sorry I
mean a magical wizard hat. I apologize for confusing you with my loud,
brassy slang. Just one second while I train this flamingo to cover the
front desk while I find your attorney, because I have nothing else to
do."

"You're right, I do have a slight lisp. Yes, it is hilarious that you
pointed out an obvious physical handicap of mine. Hahaha!"

"Yes, it is cold outside. It's good that weather happens."

"No, I didn't just accidentally call you “Dad,” sir ... I said, “rad.”"

"I AM in fact eating something! You caught me! Now you win a prize
elephant named Albert. Yeah, I know you really wanted that prize,
otherwise why else would a stranger identify my snack consumption?"

"So, you don't know who you're calling for, you're not sure if they
have ever worked at this office, and you haven't talked with them in
40 years, but you know that he/she played golf once with an Asian man?
Yes, I know exactly of whom you speak."

"Oh, fascinating."

“Wait a minute, are you telling me that you tried to call someone and
they didn’t call you back? WHAT MADNESS IS THIS PLACE?!”

"My voice sounds too childlike? Thank you so much for telling me!
Because I have complete control over it, so obviously I appreciate any
and all constructive feedback."

"Sorry, they aren't in the office at the moment. Oh, they're expecting
you? This. Changes. Everything."

"Good afternoon, thank you for calling- oh, er, um, Barbara ... Oh
really, that's your mom's name? How interesting. Yes, I do know her.
From the Great War."

"Of course I remember you from when you called two months ago."

"Wow, thank you so much for asking how my day is going! Someone in
this miserable world does care! I am going to telegram my mother to
tell her that I do matter. Sure, we wasted a few seconds of our lives
with small talk, but I'll make that time back tonight tenfold because
I won't have to lock myself in the bathroom and cut a tiny notch in my
arm!"

"No, TGIF to you, sir. TGIF to you."



Barbara Holm is a stand-up comedian from Seattle, Washington. She has performed at Bridgetown Comedy Festival, The Women in Comedy Festival, and Bumbershoot Festival. She has been described as clever, creative and unique.
Read More

January 10, 2012

Bullish: When To Make Massive And Ballsy Life Changes For Your Career
by Liz McKeon - 0

By Contributor Jen Dziura This article originally appeared on TheGloss. I love talking about being “ballsy.” Testicles are very delicate – very important,...
Read More

Women in Comedy Showcase Tonight at 8!
by Liz McKeon - 0

By WICF Editor Liz McKeon Why wait until March for your dose of funny females? Boston fans can catch the "Women in Comedy Showcase" as tonight's "ImprovBoston...
Read More

January 9, 2012

WICF Performers on Best Of Lists!
by Liz McKeon - 0

By WICF Editor Liz McKeon We're excited that WICF Alumnae Allison Grillo and Chantal Carerre were featured in The Advocate as two of the “Seven Funny LGBT...
Read More