A live Pre-CAMERAderie workshop

About Finding The Funny

All are invited to join Award winning director Mary Lou Belli for this interactive class on how to deliver “the funny” when acting, writing, and/or directing comedy. This immersive seminar will help you get to the heart of the joke and deliver it on camera. Leading by example, Mary Lou will show you how she works with actors to master the set up and hit the punchline. You do not need to be a born comedian to find the funny!

Attendees of any gender are encouraged to join us, and you do not need to be a Women In Media member. Members should log in to the website to reveal the discount code.

Run of Show

5:30-6:00 pm: Check In & Networking
6:00–7:30 pm: Finding the Funny Interactive Workshop with performances.
* The workshop begins with an exercise to teach everyone a surefire way of identifying the joke.
* Mary Lou will coach everyone on how to deliver the joke.
* There will be a “drill session” with specially selected micro scenes to hone your timing and understand joke construction.
Scenes will be performed by willing volunteers (Active Participant ticket holders)
7:30-8:00 pm: Q & A

Ticketing

Active Participant tickets are for writers, directors, and actors who want the rare opportunity to run micro scenes with an Emmy winning director. You will get the chance to act during the workshop.
Audience Auditor tickets can watch and take notes during the workshop, but will not have the opportunity for hands on participation.

• This class is open to the public, and you do not need to be a member. All genders are encouraged to join us.

About Mary Lou Belli

Mary Lou Belli was recently nominated for her 3rd Primetime Emmy for Comedy Directing for The Ms. Pat Show where she also serves as Executive Producer. Belli set up her first pilot at NBC last year based on an Edgar Award winning book series. She has been directing television for over 30 years in many genres from sitcoms to procedurals to documentaries. The latter garnered her two LA Local Emmys. She currently a Governor at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Through her teaching and dedication to advocacy, she supports many of the vibrant diversity programs including  the DGA Director’s Initiative and First-Time Directors Seminar, ABC/Disney, CBS, Sony, AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, NBC Launch, and  Warner Bros Directing Workshop mentoring the next generation of directors.

She is the co-author of four books: “The NEW Sitcom Career Book,” “Acting for Young Actors,” “PERFORM: Acting for the Screen” and  “Directors Tell the Story.” She is an Icon member of the Alliance of Women Directors and Advisory Board member of Women in Media,  Advisory Board of Film Fatales and a long time member of Women In Film. 

Amongst the hundreds of shows she has directed or produced are Elsbeth, Monk, NCIS New Orleans, Bull, Sweet Magnolias, Sister Sister, and Girlfriends. She has served as judge and/or guest speaker for film festivals in the US, Canada, and Japan. She is married with two children.

Log in to reveal your 50% off WiM Member discounted ticket code. Ticket sales are final.

Please be advised that all events hosted by Women in Media may be recorded and distributed for promotional purposes. Your voluntary participation in such events authorizes and acknowledges Women in Media and their event partner’s exclusive rights of ownership and use of all recordings.

This event is possible thanks in part to a grant from National Endowment for the Arts.