SXSWorld
Issue link: https://sxsw.uberflip.com/i/211359
Jash.com (sponsored) a bouncy castle with a therapist inside of it. We like working with companies that think providing therapy in a bouncy castle is a worthwhile investment." Smith said the festival costs anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 to produce, but that she would never compromise its absurd tone to appeal to potential sponsors. Portland's Bridgetown Comedy Festival, which was also founded in 2007 with few resources, still managed to attract a respectable roster in its first year — due in large part to the goodwill its founders had spread through the comedy community. "It's exciting to watch these scenes coming together and snowballing ... these comics are doing it for themselves while still appealing to the general public." "Patton (Oswalt) heard about it and actually contacted (festival co-founder) Andy Wood and we thought, 'Oh shit, we've got our linchpin!' " said Braunger, one of Bridgetown's co-founders. "Now the comics realize it's more of a vacation or comedy summer camp thing than a money maker." Nonetheless, a spot among Bridgetown's 200-plus performers is a coveted one for aspiring stand-ups. Bridgetown's organizers go out of their way to offer mid-afternoon confabs (at Portland's Ground Kontrol barcade) and all-night, open-bar warehouse parties where comics mingle and network without the usual industry pressure. The festival also celebrates the Portland scene by spotlighting local comics and venues. "I talked to Braunger and Andy Wood and Abbey Londer at Riot L.A. about pitfalls and things to avoid," said comedian Adam CaytonHolland, who co-founded Denver's High Plains Comedy Festival with Andy Juett. "We didn't want to spread ourselves too thin and try to achieve too much in our first year." The Denver festival's inaugural event was sponsored by a burrito chain, a pizza joint and a medical marijuana dispensary, among others, and focused on two to three walkable indie rock venues offering showcases that mixed locals and mid-level national headliners (think Kyle Kinane, Reggie Watts and Sean Patton, or rising, buzzed-about L.A. comics like Kate Berlant and Cameron Esposito). "It was a validation for the diehard comedy fan and the comics, but I was really pleased how many people were out that I had never seen at comedy shows before," said Cayton-Holland, who pointed to similar — but even smaller — events like Omaha's Crom Comedy Festival and the Bloomington, Indiana-based Limestone Comedy Festival. Cayton-Holland said his festival turned a profit in its first year and that given its success, he is looking to add more comics, venues, podcast recording sessions and touring stand-up shows like Bryan Cook's "Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction" for 2014. It's an organic, grassroots growth formula that bolsters not only the comedians but the entire scene in that city, according to comedian Kurt Braunohler. "It's exciting to watch these scenes coming together and snowballing, because these comics are doing it for themselves while still appealing to the general public," said Braunohler, a veteran of the Mirman, Bridgetown and High Plains fests. "It provides these incredibly intimate and genuine experiences that you can't find anywhere else." n Hassle Free Printing We Take Printing Seriously…Not Ourselves. 5,000 postcards $149 • 10,000 flyers $349 • 1,000 magazines $995 (16 pages, 60# paper) Call 210-804-0390 for Special Online Pricing! Visit us at www.shweiki.com CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE YOUR PLANT TOUR 210-804-0390 • Email samplEs@shwEiki for a frEE quotE or call 512-480-0860 Shweiki Ad 7.38x4.93.indd 1 10/9/13 12:12 PM SXSWORLD / NOVEMBER 2013 27