In all the panel discussions I’ve sat through in my life time, the panels at the LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival are the best bar none. In part because of the industry professionals that are assembled but even more so because the audience members are serious about being silly.

Comics are an eclectic bunch but if generalizations are to be made, they’re a group of incredibly smart, talented, passionate people who take their art and craft to heart. One of the most nauseating aspects of panels is having to suffer through some pontificating audience member who thoroughly enjoys the sound of his or her own voice. But at these panel discussions, questions are intelligent, direct and some I probably wouldn’t have thought of myself.

Both panels focused on breaking into the industry of comedy from two different perspectives. The first panel called: What? …In This Economy? Focused on how to market yourself to the industry management and production companies. The second panel: But I’m a CeWEBrity! Was directed toward translating success from the ‘Net into television and film.

Running themes between the two panels were ideas, executing those ideas into compelling stories and have an authentic and original voice. Additionally, every panelist agreed that quality rises above regardless, so if you’re a writer and you’re reading this, KEEP AT IT!

Panelists included JC Spink (Benderspink), Chris Rimouski (Titmouse), Gloria Fan and Brent Lilley (Mosaic Media) for ‘In This Economy.’

And Mike Farah (Funny or Die), Tom Hoffman (Fremantle Media, Atomic Wedgie) and Tina Santomauro (Atom.com).

Some of the quotes from today’s panels, but I’m not saying who said what…if you want to know things like that, you should have bought a ticket!

“f you write something with a great voice, someone will pick you out and have you write Mr. Potato Head.”

“I scour YouTube.com for short films and get a lot of content that way.”

“The business sucks and some days I feel like Bruce Willis in Die Hard.”

“This is a great time to break in with low budget projects.”

“The best way to contact us is through agents, managers, referrals and word of mouth. Don’t be afraid to ask your mother’s friend’s cousin’s boyfriend for a favor if they are in the business.”

“Production quality and copy! Writing is important.”

Oh, okay…this one came from Tina from Atom.com. “We’re having a contest for anyone who attended the festival. If you upload content between the 19th and the 25th of this month, the winner will be screened on Atom TV, yes! The national television program on Comedy Central … yet another reason why you should start attending this festival people! Just sayin’