Punching Up Documentary

It’s 2019. Standup comedy’s popularity is skyrocketing. We are living in what many call the New Golden Age of comedy. Every week it seems there’s a new standup special online, and a new comedy billboard on every corner. However, with more opportunities for comedians than ever, standup remains an old-school boy’s club, with only onewoman making the Forbe’s 2019 Highest Paid Comedians list.

The #metoo movement has made headlines - but real, lasting change is yet to come. The standup comedy world is still overwhelming dominated by men, and often laden with harassment and assault. While there has been a small uptick in inclusivity in the alternative comedy scene, the mainstream is still operating as it always has. The combination of this reality paired with standup’s ever-growing popularity can have disastrous connotations for our society.

Contrary to mainstream belief, we are confident that there is no shortage of hilarious female comedians ripe for success. But the fact remains that women do not receive anywhere near the amount of opportunities and recognition as their male counterparts. In fact, standup is such a male dominated world that the public has no idea how volatile, sexist, and frequently violating to women it can be.

We are looking to tell the story of these many up-and coming female comics, showcasing what it really takes to be a female comedian in a male dominated industry.

We feel the need to shine a light on the amazing and diverse women who are on the ground in the nitty gritty comedy scene of Los Angeles. There has never been a more necessary time to go behind the scenes of standup to uncover the uphill battle our female comedian friends fight on a daily basis. And hopefully, these women will become a beacon of light to others who might be tempted to heroically tread this path.

We are looking to explore why women in comedy are striving more than ever, and how female voices are changing the comedy scene, while acting as a glimpse behind the curtain at the hard work general audiences are often unaware of.

We have filmed about 90% of our film to date, utilizing our own money and pulling many favors. Our sizzle reel is available upon request, we chose not to make it public until the film is completed.

We are raising the funds mostly for post-production needs (editing, color correction, score, music licensing, DCP cost and EO insurance).

Upon completion we are looking for to submit to festivals and seek distribution

with online streaming platforms.