Breaking down barriers for emerging comedians
What is Comedy Lab?
In a nutshell - Comedy Lab is a crowdfunded program that gives comedians access to our studios, crew and equipment for free, to make just about whatever they want!
Whether the project is for screen or audio, Comedy Lab can help! It could be something as simple as access to our podcast studio, right through to more ambitious projects like creating a proof of concept or filming a live performance.
Funding and opportunities for new comedy content are hard to come by, so Comedy Lab aims to break down barriers and provide practical career support for comedians – performers, writers, and directors – helping them take their screen and audio content to the next level.
Our annual Talent Quest is BACK and you're invited!
Join the LIVE studio audience as comedians dazzle us with talents all to support COMEDY LAB!
See your favourite comedians like you’ve never seen them before! Will they SING? Will they DANCE? Maybe they’re exceptionally good at catching blueberries in their mouth from far away! That was very cool last time.
WHEN: November 22nd at 7pm
WHERE: Stupid Old Studios, Brunswick
Hosted by Bec Petraitis and Han Arbuthnott with special reporting by Andy Matthews
Guests include He Huang, Sashi Perera, Suren Jayemanne with more to be announced in the coming days!
LIVESTREAM: On our YouTube channel
Meet Our Comedy Lab Round One Recipients!
We are so excited to announce our recipients for the first ever round of Comedy Lab!
Out of 26 applications, our panel have selected five comedy-making legends who will receive free access to our studios, equipment, and crew, to help bring their ideas to life.
HUGE congrats to:
Thom Heim
Tess Durney
Ashley Apap
Luke Morris
Razz Wallace Smith
Round 2 Applications are Opening Soon!
Important Information for Applicants
How the process works
Applications open November 22 2024 and close January 2025.
Once applications close our independent assessment panel will assess the applications against the criteria.
Successful applicants will be contacted within 8 weeks of applications closing.
More info to come!
Get in touch at info@comedylab.com.au
Four ways Comedy Lab can help
Space to work
Creators can access our state-of-the-art production studio for video work, live performances, and streaming.
Also available are our video podcast studio, writers’ rooms, and edit facilities.
Crew support
Our award-winning team of videographers, writers, directors and producers can support creators in realising their ideas by providing hands-on and creative support.
Equipment
Creators can access professional video and photography equipment including cinema cameras, lenses, microphones, lighting.
Networking
Creators can connect to our network of comedy makers and industry professionals for collaboration and career support.
Help fund Comedy Lab
Comedy Lab is funded by generous industry supporters and comedy fans. The more money we can raise through our community and our peers, the more projects get made!
Any money you give to Comedy Lab directly improves the quality and broadens the range of voices producing comedy content in Australia.
Monthly
Recurring contributions help to grow the program and secure its future. Choose any amount and stop whenever you like!
One-time
Choose any amount as a one-time payment. Every bit counts!
Got questions?
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Stupid Old Studios is a certified social enterprise whose purpose is to support emerging and diverse Australian comedians by providing access to our state of the art facility and award-winning production team. Our goal is to break down barriers, support new talent, and make Australian comedy more varied and inclusive.
Creator applications will be assessed by a panel independent to the Stupid Old Studios team.
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Comedy Lab will support artists by providing free access to our resources across four broad categories: Studio space, crew, equipment and networks.
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Comedy Lab is open to all Victoria-based comedy practitioners including performers, writers, directors and producers. The assessment panel will however take into consideration the overall goals of supporting new talent and making Australian comedy more varied and inclusive.
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Only screen and/or audio projects are eligible, with one project per application.
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We intend to make the application process as quick and easy as possible. Artists will just need to fill out a form that covers info about their project, some background on themselves, and what support they require.
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Applications will be assessed by an independent panel who will score them and allocate resources based on the funding available. Our assessment criteria aims to be as inclusive and supportive as possible.
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Stupid Old Studios will offer its Comedy Lab recipients 6 months of support, from April to September 2025
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No
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Formal accountability and transparency measures will include an independent panel for assessing applications and regular email updates and check ins, reporting income and project activity.
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Payments can be made via credit card using the Memberful platform and Stripe to ensure secure payments.