Category Archives: Bonnie Brooks Project

Feeling Uninspired? 6 Ways to Pull Yourself Out of A Slump

Posted in Bonnie Brooks Project, Diary of an Amateur Comedian by



(I chose this video because it really embodies the soul-wrenching lyrics of the song through excellent cinematography.)

Guys, girls, it’s time for me to drop an H-bomb on y’all.  HONESTY.  Sometimes I feel uninspired and overwhelmed by the world.  Sometimes there are personal issues involved.  So, what is one “funny person” supposed to do when they feel unfunny?  Here are a few tips, all of which I will do today.

1) Watch YouTube videos or read books of people who inspire you. 

Watching clips of the greats in your field remind you of the possibilities and get your creative juices flowing…in your brain. (Perv.) Some of mine are Carol Burnett, Ken Jeong in Community, Tina Fey’s book ‘Bossypants’ is great, or just watch THIS!

2) Go for a damn walk. 

Not to be confused with a dam walk, but that would be nice too.  Escaping  the confines of my 500 sq.ft. apartment and seeing the sky allows me to think better and clearer, and reminds me that the world is full of possibilities.  Probably just getting some fresh air is good for the ol’ Thinking Cap.

3) Talk to your peers. 

Chances are the people in your field have felt this way before too.  Probably on more than one occassion.  Unless they are already on happy pills.  Dick hats.  Last night I took in some stand up comedy and had the pleasure of chatting with the lovely Lauren McGibbon of stand up and improv fame.  She sprinkled these words of wisdom on me: “Dream big and remember, even if you’re funny, you have a vagina so nobody cares”.  It’s inspiring in it’s own way, trust me. 

Talking with your peers will help you to see that everyone gets into a funk once in a while and that they get out of it and persevere.  How did they got past all the negative occurrences to get to the point they are at now, THAT’S what is inspirational.

4) Make changes to your personal life.

If there are aspects of your personal life that are bringing you down, get rid of ’em.  The last thing anyone needs in their life are more downers–the world is cruel enough.  Get a new job, ditch your crazy girlfriend, reconnect with your mom.  And stop letting negative energy from other people in your field get to you.  People talk shit all the time, and usually it’s because they’re feeling insecure.  You are you, and you’re good at what you do, so keep doing it FOR you.  Whatever it is that’s causing a negative impact on your life, change it.  It’s up to you and only you.  Plus, you love your mother and she loves you, so give her a call and tell her you love her (…as long as she doesn’t bring up going back to school again).

5) Research your field and set some goals.

The pros get to where they are by putting themselves out there and taking risks.  Do some research on what you can do to get your name out there and/or get some experience.  Actor? Look up auditions for independant projects (film/TV).  Stand up?  Look into stand up comedy festivals and see what you need to do to apply.  Look for out-of-town gigs.  Take some courses to work on or expand your skills.  Read some books.  Build yourself a website and get some business cards made to advertise yourself.  Make yourself a good demo so that you have something to show people.  Do little things that will further your career and the next thing you know, all the little steps will have resulted in a big LEAP! 

6) Work hard and practise.

This is the most obvious yet, for me, the most underrated.  People aren’t magically discovered in mall food courts.  You have to practise your craft and hone your skills.  I could whine all day about how I don’t want to write or that I’m not feeling insipred, but then as soon as I sit down and focus, I remember that I actually LOVE to write and tell jokes.  Amazing how that works!  Do it for the love not for the money and fame.  (You’ll be disappointed)

***

Whatever you do to bring you happiness, make sure that it is in fact making you happy.  Nothing happens overnight, but damn, I sure wish it did.  APPARENTLY life is about the journey, not the destination.   So get out there and make Mama proud!

The Bonnie Brooks Radio Project

Posted in Bonnie Brooks Project by

I got an amazing idea very early this morning as I was lying awake in my bed.

Those “I’m Bonnie Brooks, President of The Bay” radio commercials are bad. 

Very bad. 

I’m a voice artist. 

I have ideas and talents. 

I should do their commercials. 

I SHOULD do their commercials.

I’m going to send them a proposal for new commercials.

I should send them a sample commercial.

Whoa.

That was basically how the thought process went.  In case you are unfamiliar with the radio commercials I speak of, here is an example:

I feel like many can agree with the comments posted beneath that video.  Hence this project.

Bonnie Brooks is an extremely successful business woman and company President with an impressive resume, but perhaps her leap into the voice artist realm is one that she isn’t as well suited for.  I do admire her ambition and gumption in taking on the role, but there are reasons why companies hire professional voice artists.  We have knowledge and experience using a microphone and on delivering information effectively, we have vocal training, and we have experience to draw from.  I wouldn’t attempt to give a presentation to a Board of Directors because that’s not something I have any experience in.  I could learn, but it’s most effective if left to the trained professionals.

Things that Ms. Brooks lack as radio personality:

–          variation in vocal tone (emotion, emphasis, etc.);

–          a smile (it really comes through in the voice);

–          smooth tone (the heavy smoker debate continues);

–          relate-ability to the average consumer (do YOU want to be told what to buy from the President of a company?  I sure don’t.  That’s like getting sex advice from a parent.  Don’t tell me what to do!)

I am still brainstorming some ideas of what I can do for them that’ll catch their attention and seriously consider hiring me.  What I’ve got so far is that The Hudson’s Bay Company is the oldest department store in Canada, it’s a Canadian icon, it’s historic, they’re getting more and more into the big fashion brands, and they have something for everyone – men, women, young, old, rich….less rich.  So how does one portray a fashionable, fun, very Canadian company via the radio?  I don’t know, I’m asking YOU.  How?

I have sent an email to their inquiries address requesting the contact for the corporate marketing/advertising department.  Hopefully I get a response.

So that’s the project!  And I’m going to blog about the process and see how this goes!  The Bay is a big corporation, and I don’t have any idea how far I’ll actually get with this idea.  But it’s worth a try and it’ll be a fun project!  If you have any other suggestions or any connections to The Bay, post your comments below.