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From the page to the stage in 8 hours. Shut. Up.

Lizz Winstead leads the workshop. If you were one of the people at the workshop, you know that we couldn't shut up. At least our fingers couldn't shut up...writing, writing, writing, editing and writing like crazy people right up until the doors opened at...well, at 8:30. So 8 1/2 hours. So sue us.

An experiment in speed writing.
This was a new experience for Lizz, and for the 20 writers who attended. Start brainstorming at 12:30, have a show structure by 1, then first drafts of sketches by 3, and final drafts at 5:30. Oh. That'll be easy. No problem.

Weeeeelll. Okay, first draft by 3:30, final versions. By 6. No, wait...7. 7:30. Final drafts by 7:30!!! We mean it!

Lizz was taking no prisoners. If she asked for suggestions once we had a show structure and you raised your hand and suggested a new show structure? Shut down. First rule of writing under the gun: Make a decision and STICK WITH IT. Be decisive.

Unless a better idea comes along. We'd decided the show structure would be Sarah Palin's bus tour traveling the country...and we'd meet all the people around it in various places. Then Live Wire writer Tyler Hughs suggested that when we got to Wasilla, we should see a historical play by the Wasilla Community Players, wherein they covered various historical events from Palin's perspective.

"Brilliant. That's the new structure of the show," said Lizz.

So, lesson 2: Be willing to change your mind when lightning strikes. Got it.

The deepest cut.
If your sketch wasn't in first-draft mode by 2:30, it was cut and you were absorbed into another group. If your sketch wasn't in good enough shape by 4:30 or 5, it was cut. Ouch. Seriously, ouch. Lesson 3: sometimes your sketch doesn't make the cut. In that case, jump in and help others edit their pieces. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

The show.
After the audience had waited for an extra half hour, "Sarah Palin's People's History of the United States" went up. Donald Trump's ancestor in a "Coonskin Combover" (TM Tyler Hughs)? Check. Ronald Reagan curing AIDS? Check. Paul Revere delivering a Dirty-Harry-esque monologue, wondering if he'd reloaded his musket? Check.

All in all, a great day and a discovery that even someone who's never written a sketch, given the right leadership and a terrifying ticking clock, can churn out some great material in no time at all.

by Courtenay on 06/14/2011

It's a Whirlwind Winstead Weekend!

If you were hoping to spend the weekend with Lizz Winstead, writer, comic, co-creator of The Daily Show, well, you're in luck!

Lizz is coming to Portland for our show Friday 6/3, which is fun enough. (More info on that here.) But wait, THERE'S MORE. On 6/4, Lizz will perform her new standup show at the Alberta Rose (get tickets here.) But wait, THERE'S EVEN MORE!

THE SO-CRAZY-IT-JUST-MIGHT-WORK-WORKSHOP!
What's the point of a writer's workshop if you don't come out of it actually having written something? And what if that something were a show? That you performed? THE NIGHT OF THE WORKSHOP?

Holy cripes. Is it a lesson in working under a deadline? Uh, yeah. Is it a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have the former Head Writer of the Daily Show be your head writer and director for a day? Pretty much. Will it be a crazy, intense day of learning and work? Absolutely. You should come!

Date: Sunday, 6/5
Time: 12-8 workshop, 8 p.m. SHOW!
Cost: $75
Sign up here!

ABOUT LIZZ WINSTEAD:

As co-creator and former head writer of The Daily Show and Air America Radio co-founder, Lizz Winstead is one of the top political satirists in America. As a performer, Lizz brought her political wit to The Daily Show as a correspondent and later to the radio waves co-hosting Unfiltered, Air America Radio's mid-morning show, where she brought on board Hip Hop legend, Chuck D and political big brain Rachel Maddow.

Lizz's talents as a comedian and media visionary have been recognized by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly's 100 most Creative People issue and has brought numerous television appearances, including Comedy Central Presents, weekly segments on The Ed Show on MSNBC and The Joy Behar Show on Headline News and is blogging regularly at The Huffington Post.

Currently Lizz is developing shows for television, touring the country with her standup and writing a book of personal essays for Riverhead Press due out in late 2011.

by Courtenay on 05/27/2011

Live Wire gets cartoonified by Mike Russell!

Haiku Hottie We asked Mike Russell, cartoonist, film reviewer, man-about-town to come to our show on Friday and draw it LIVE! Mike had done great work at the inspired Comics Night at the Opera, and he had drawn me previously for the Cort and Fatboy show, so it seemed to make sense to see what he might do for an entire Live Wire show.

It was a great night for him to come to the show: sex-positive feminist icon Susie Bright was there, as was humor writer Mike Sacks, storyteller Beth Lisick, poet Matthew Dickman and musical guests David Bazan and Celilo. He captured the night pretty perfectly. Just click and you'll see. Thanks SO much, Mike!!

by Courtenay on 05/02/2011

A Lesson in Problem Solving

I am a firm believer in the use of arbitration. Sometimes in arguments, perspective can be really difficult. I also stand by the avoiding violence to settle disputes. It looked like these two teams were headed straight toward an Old-West style little league slugfest. So, thanks to Cutter's words of wisdom, the two factions may use Johnny as an umpire going forward. Arbitration, the best alternative to court, for dispute resolution should always be used responsibly and the resulting decision needs to be accepted by both parties, regardless of sore feelings. That being said, the kid was clearly safe and you're an idiot if you think otherwise

by Sean McGrath on 10/03/2010

Sean McGrath will break up with you over a movie

Why I have to break up with you because you liked 500 Days of Summer
Guest post by Sean McGrath

Ok. We have to break up. I know it's kind of coming out of left field, but I am absolutely sure of my decision. But you "loved" 500 Days of Summer. "Loved." You used the word like nine times last night after the movie was over. And you just kept talking about it, like I wasn't right there, sitting on the couch, watching it with you. You actually twirled when you were talking about it. Good lord. Twirling? I'm all for being inspired, or entranced, or enamored with art, but to react that way to that movie is beyond me. First of all, Zoey Deschanel comes off as a total manipulative harpy. Who invites their ex-boyfriend to their engagement party? What the fuck?

And an ex-boyfriend that she knows is still into her. But at the end, they're all calm and resolute and cool with each other. Nuh-uh. That don't fly. Maybe he forgave her for the mind-drubbing she gave him, but that scene just kills me. This guy is the biggest coward in movie history. And you know, it's not THAT bad of a movie. It's not like it wasn't shot well, or the Gordon-Levitt can't act, it's just that it's so goddamn pretentious. "Oh, you like The Smiths, cool?" Give me a f-ing break. So they both like an extremely good band from the '80s, and all of a sudden it's like they both have the same pizza shaped birthmark on their hip or something. Liking the Smiths is not some clandestine treasure that only a few people hold dear. I won't dissect this movie completely, but I do want to discuss a spoiler so if you really do want to spend two hours grinding a fork into your thigh while you tolerate this movie, then stop reading now. Ok, still with me? At the end of the movie, Summer (Deschanel) has dumped him, and he's finally "over" her more or less. So at the BIG job interview he meets an attractive brunette in the waiting area, who's going out for the same position. They banter back and forth a bit, and then he asks her out for a drink. At first she declines, then she changes her mind and accepts (Hooray!). So, here we go, ready to feel stupid in your face? They exchange names, and guess what her name is? It's AUTUMN! Like the season? Get it? Because he just went through a total mind fuck of a relationship with a girl named Summer, and now he meets a girl named Autumn?! What the deuce? WOW! YAAAAAAAAY!
....

And then he looks at the camera. Right into the lens. As if to imply, "You got to be kidding me" or "Here we go!" or "Oh, boy..." or a thousand other stupid emotions you don't want to have be the button on your movie unless you hate your audience and think they're stupid.
So there we go. That's why we are breaking up. I can't stay with someone who got duped like that. Tricked by this movie into thinking that love is.. I don't know... fair. Plus you twirled. Give me a break.