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‘Producer Spotlight’ Series Elevates Toronto’s Best Comedy Shows

July 23, 2022 By vongshow

What is the ‘Producer Spotlight’ Series?

Over the past few years I’ve learned that Toronto has all the ingredients necessary to produce amazingly successful comedy shows! Our city has an abundance of high-level comedic talent, a surplus of gorgeous venues that often go unused, and most importantly an incredibly diverse audience of comedy fans who are enormously supportive of live shows and local talent! This combination of factors is incredibly rare and we should absolutely be taking advantage of everything this city has to offer.

I’m absolutely ready (and honestly itching!) to share all my knowledge of best practices, do’s and don’ts so that you don’t have to make the same mistakes that I did. By supporting local producers and helping to launch more large-scale theatre shows, the entire comedy community benefits. Larger venues leads to higher ticket prices and profits, allowing producers to fairly compensate Canadian talent and help to end the narrative that Canadians need to head to the United States to make a living.

The ‘Producer Spotlight’ series aims to elevate Toronto’s best comedy shows by arming our brightest producers with the knowledge, training and connections necessary to take their shows to the next level and sell out larger and more prestigious theatre venues. Mentorship will cover everything from producing and marketing a live show, garnering press coverage, how to sell out a larger venues, capturing video and audio footage for post-production (when applicable)… and everything in between.

Comedy Productions Consulting (AKA Free Advice!)

First step when I meet a producer is to go to one of their live shows and then sit down afterward to give feedback based on what their goals are with the show. Even outside of the ‘Producer Spotlight’ series, giving feedback to new producers is something I love to do, so don’t be afraid to reach out (or fill out the form below) and let me know when your next live show is that you’d like feedback on.

Co-Productions at Rivoli

Up to 12 producers per year (one show monthly) will be selected to be the featured ‘Producer Spotlight’ show at the iconic Rivoli. This historic venue is famously the home of ‘Kids in the Hall’ and features an elevated stage and amazing sound and lighting system. Let’s be honest here… the Rivoli is a great music venue and the requirements for lighting and sound in musical performances far exceed that of comedy performances, so there’s really nothing you could imagine you’d need to produce an excellent comedy show here that wouldn’t be technically feasible. Sight lines are great for both the audience and the performers and the room is perfectly set up to place up to five video cameras for multi-cam footage capture.

Co-productions at Rivoli would be a true 50/50 partnership including all costs (marketing, PR, production) and profits being split evenly. Ticket sales would be through the Universe online ticketing platform with full access for all producers to the backend data and live dashboard. Target capacity would be 80-100 seats at $20+ per ticket, although this would be adjusted based on the show.

While the initial show would have lower profit margins due to the 50/50 partnership, the idea is for the featured producer to gain the knowledge and connections to produce future shows successfully at the venue in the future. There would be a minimum target to meet to cover venue costs if we don’t meet the bar sales targets for the night (this is based on how the deal with the venue is set up and is pretty standard for music venues serving alcohol).

Please note that video and audio capture component would need to be negotiated above and beyond the standard partnership and only in cases where the show concept makes sense for post-production. Shows featured at the Rivoli are less likely to require this component compared to shows featured at Paradise Theatre.

Co-Productions at Paradise Theatre

vong show paradise theatre on bloor monthly

Up to four productions per year (one show per quarter) will be selected to be the featured ‘Producer Spotlight’ show at the newly renovated Paradise Theatre. Generally, the Paradise Theatre selection will be made from the best performing of the Rivoli productions that show the most potential for a larger audience.

Co-productions at Paradise Theatre would be a true 50/50 partnership including all costs (marketing, PR, production) and profits being split evenly. Ticket sales would be through the Eventbrite online ticketing platform including full seat selection and venue map. Full access for all producers to the backend data and live dashboard will be provided. Target capacity is 180-220 seats at ticket prices ranging from $25 to $50 based on location in the venue (front rows, balcony, accessible seating etc.).

While the initial show would have lower profit margins due to the 50/50 partnership, the idea is for the featured producer to gain the knowledge and connections to produce future shows successfully at the venue in the future. There would be a minimum goal of 50% tickets sold set out that the featured producer would be responsible for should we fail to meet our seat sales goals (this is to ensure there is enough funds to cover the venue costs).

Please note that video and audio capture component would need to be negotiated above and beyond the standard partnership and only in cases where the show concept makes sense for post-production. In general, shows selected for Paradise Theatre would be concepts that are more likely to be desirable for post-production. With the inclusion of a balcony, Paradise Theatre is perfectly set up for multi-cam video and audio capture using roughly 9 cameras.

Selection Criteria

There are a lot of factors for selecting which shows will be a part of the ‘Producer Spotlight’ series outlined below (please read through carefully). There are also some intangible factors as well such as which, and sometimes it comes down to which producers can best convey genuine excitement for their show and inspire people to want to work with them.

  • Most important factor is having the best show ideas that would be most suitable for the venues and their capacity (Rivoli target capacity 80-100, Paradise Theatre target capacity 180-220)
  • Track record as a producer including discussion about previous shows produced, ticket sales track record, and venues used for past shows
  • How well the show idea relates to the producer (does it make sense that this would be the producer to bring this particular idea to life) and how the idea was conceived and the story behind the idea
  • Ability of showrunner to articulate their ideas and convey their genuine passion for the show (extremely important to garner press coverage and general buzz leading up to the show)
  • Potential of the show idea for post-production video and audio

Shining a Spotlight on Canadian Comedy Shows

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my background as a media executive prior to becoming a comedian, it’s how to properly amplify Canadian comedy shows to get the spotlight it deserves. Full media and communications strategies will be deployed leading up to the live show.

Past shows have included full television coverage on programs including CBC The National, CTV The Social, OMNI Television and most noteworthy was being the full 8-minute lead story segment on CBC Our Toronto and being profiled in-studio back at Glenn Gould Studio for a story CBC News Toronto. Radio coverage has included CBC Metro Morning and CBC Fresh Air.

Print and web coverage has included full multi-page spreads in National Post and a profiles in NOW! Toronto, CBC Comedy and even critics reviews from outlets that generally only cover live theatre such as Mooney on Theatre.

Past partnerships have also amplified comedians appearance on my shows to full billboards at Yonge-Dundas Square and takeovers of BlogTO. So basically I’m saying if you’re on the show get ready to be heavily promoted (although it is important to say that press coverage is never guaranteed in any project).

National Post Laughter for Literacy Raise-a-Reader Learning Enrichment Foundation Vong Show Headshot Gay Pride LGBT LGBTQ Queer Comedy Jokes Standup Asian Chinese Thai Laos Urban Canada Toronto Ontario Winnipeg Allyson June Smith Nile Seguin
NOW Magazine Toronto Glenn Sumi RICE Asian Comedy Showcase Vong Show Ron Josol Yumi Nagashima Ernie Vicente Leonard Chan

Filming and Production (Multi-Cam Video and Audio)

For select projects where the live show featured on ‘Producer Spotlight’ has the potential to be developed into a video (network television, streaming services, film festivals) or audio (albums) product, there is the option of capturing the the footage in partnership with Studio Vong production company. This will only be for projects that make sense as not all live shows are proper for development into a video or audio product. Please note this component is absolutely not a requirement of the ‘Producer Spotlight’ series.

Submissions Now Open!


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Sample photos from shows you've previously produced. Especially photos showing stage setup and audience size.
Sample footage from shows you've previously produced. Unlisted YouTube clips are preferred.

What co-productions and venues would you like to be considered for? *

Distribution Platforms You'd Be Interested in Pursuing *

Filed Under: Announcements, Producer Spotlight

‘The Vong Show’ Takes Over Paradise Theatre Monthly Starting Sept 22

May 31, 2022 By vongshow

What is ‘The Vong Show’?

The Vong Show is a celebration of all the unique voices that make Toronto the most diverse city in the world. It’s fitting that the show will take place at Paradise Theatre because to me Toronto is a paradise for comedy. I’ve recently performed in New York City and Los Angeles and honestly I think that Toronto is at least ten years ahead in terms of the standup comedy being performed on our stages. Toronto is a world-class city for comedy and it’s time we get the recognition we deserve as a standup comedy powerhouse!

Starting September 22 and continuing monthly ‘The Vong Show’ will shine the spotlight on Toronto’s top headliners and feature acts by providing the stage and the audiences we deserve. All performances will be filmed live with a 9-camera, 12-microphone setup. One 45-minute headliner set will be produced and released as a full comedy special to be shopped around for distribution (final platform depends on the recognition level of the headliner and their following which both factor into negotiations for distribution). Two 15-minute feature sets will be produced and released on ‘The Vong Show’ YouTube channel including watch parties for all episode premieres. The headliner’s audio recording will be output as a comedy album to be released across audio streaming services while the features’ sets may be released as a compilation album.

Ultimately, ‘The Vong Show’ is my love letter to Toronto. I want Toronto’s comedy scene to see itself the way that I see it, so join me in helping Toronto take our rightful place as one of the comedy capitals of the world!

Tickets Now On Sale!

Filming and Production Multi-Cam Demo

Here’s some raw footage from my last multi-cam taping to give an example of what the final output from ‘The Vong Show’ will look like! Of course it’s a different venue but equally as amazing. This demo video will be replaced in the future with actual footage from Paradise Theatre.

Join Me On the Paradise Theatre Stage (Submissions Open Now)


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What performances would you like to be considered for? *

Actors Union Status

Distribution Platforms You'd Be Interested in Pursuing *

Priority given to Headliners open to releasing comedy specials and audio albums. Open to discussing with your record label regarding ownership rights (contractual obligations must be clearly defined prior to taping). YouTube distribution required for all Feature and Rising Stars comedians.

I own rights to all content I'll be performing or I'll provide written statements from my record label (or other third parties with ownership/distribution rights) authorizing full release to perform this material and distribution of its recorded versions across all applicable platforms

Audience Makes All the Difference

A huge part of the Toronto comedy scene is the amazing diversity of our local audiences and their amazing support of live comedy. It actually angers me when people say you have to leave Canada and make it in the United States before Canadians will support you… or that you can only sell out a huge theatre in Toronto by booking an American comedian. I would say the 700-seats sold (double sell-out) at CBC Glenn Gould Studio prove that Torontonians will support quality entertainment from local Canadian comedians. I actually think we have one of the best audiences in the entire world, and I think TIFF has shown that people from other countries actually value the Toronto audience as a gauge of worldwide popularity for a project. It’s time we start valuing our own audiences as well.

I’m gonna tell a story that I don’t share too often. My very first comedy special taping was in the United States just over a decade ago, and I had no creative control which is standard for a young comedian. But what I learned was just how incredibly important the audience is to a live taping. Because I was in a foreign country and city, no one in the audience knew who I was until I walked out on stage. Additionally a lot of video production companies producing comedy specials have very little experience also producing a live comedy event. As such, a large proportion of the audience are made up of tourists or comp tickets or people who’ve never heard of the comedian being taped. As a professional of course I did my best and the audience was happy, but honestly it’s not the same as doing a taping in front of a real comedy audience… an audience of people who came specifically to see you and who has followed your career…. an audience that is there to support local talent and propel their careers forward.

Taping my first self-produced comedy special at the CBC Glenn Gould studio in front of an audience who came specifically to see me honestly filled that gap that I didn’t understand was missing at my other tapings. It’s a night-and-day difference. I will 100% work with you to ensure that the audience you are performing in front of for your taping is the right audience for your material.

Shining a Spotlight on Canadian Comedians

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my background as a media executive prior to becoming a comedian, it’s how to properly amplify talented comedians get give them the spotlight they deserve. Full media and communications strategies will be deployed for both the live taping and for the eventual album release and comedy special launches.

A lot of albums and comedy specials are released without the proper attention they deserve and that will absolutely not be the case for any project I am associated with.

Past shows have included full television coverage on programs including CBC The National, CTV The Social, OMNI Television and most noteworthy was being the full 8-minute lead story segment on CBC Our Toronto and being profiled in-studio back at Glenn Gould Studio for a story CBC News Toronto. Radio coverage has included CBC Metro Morning and CBC Fresh Air.

Print and web coverage has included full multi-page spreads in National Post and a profiles in NOW! Toronto, CBC Comedy and even critics reviews from outlets that generally only cover live theatre such as Mooney on Theatre.

Past partnerships have also amplified comedians appearance on my shows to full billboards at Yonge-Dundas Square and takeovers of BlogTO. So basically I’m saying if you’re on the show get ready to be heavily promoted.

National Post Laughter for Literacy Raise-a-Reader Learning Enrichment Foundation Vong Show Headshot Gay Pride LGBT LGBTQ Queer Comedy Jokes Standup Asian Chinese Thai Laos Urban Canada Toronto Ontario Winnipeg Allyson June Smith Nile Seguin
NOW Magazine Toronto Glenn Sumi RICE Asian Comedy Showcase Vong Show Ron Josol Yumi Nagashima Ernie Vicente Leonard Chan

Filed Under: Announcements, The Vong Show

Vong Show Website Launches

February 22, 2018 By vongshow

Vong Show Headshot Red Glasses Gay Asian Gaysian Standup Stand Up Comedian Comedy Canadian Funny LOL Haha

Super happy to welcome you to the official launch of the brand new Vong Show website.

I’ve been gone for a minute from the comedy world, but with all the craziness happening in the world in 2018 I felt compelled to return to give you the Gaysian-Canadian perspective on trending topics across the web.

This blog will follow my comedy career and the craziness that is my life including my obsession with sports, photography, popular culture and all things gay and Asian. You’ll also find videos of my stand up comedy performances, photos from life and full integration with my social media accounts from Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter.

Feel free to leave me a message in the comments section or through social media and let me know what you think of the website and any and all topics you’d like to have covered.

Filed Under: Announcements

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ABOUT VONG SHOW

Official spokesperson for gay, super cute Asians. Sharing the Gaysian perspective on culture, sports and trending topics. Creator of RICE Asian Comedy Showcase and founder of Comedy Cares, partnering comedians and charities to raise money for worthy causes.

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