Mike Lawrence
Stand-Up
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Comedy is the Sincerest Form of Tragedy
Male
26 years old
New York City
United States
Last Login: 1/7/2010
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Mike Lawrence's Comedian Bio
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| Bio | Mike Lawrence is a true comedian's comedian, being the son of a former comedian, Mrs. Alice Lawrence (now Colin), but considering the places he's played, it's obvious that nepotism has in no way helped Mr. Lawrence's career.
Mr. Lawrence considers himself an acerbic, witty comic who tackles those icky social topics that no one else likes to touch. Or so he says. He also says he's attractive, so honestly, it's hard to believe anything that he comes up with. | | Website | This one. Isn't that enough? I mean, hey, I got you to read it. | | Influences | Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Jonathan Swift, Matt Groening and the Simpson's writers (first eleven seasons only!), Rusty Cundieff, The Wayans Family, Dr. Seuss, Dan Slott, Jack Kirby, The Wonder Showzen team, My mother, George Carlin, J.M. Dematteis, Keith Giffen, Groucho Marx, John K. Samson, Todd Solondz, Patton Oswalt, The Joker, The Riddler, Juggernaut (Fictional characters can be influential!)Stan Lee, Ben Edlund, John Byrne, Paul Dini, Dwayne Macduffie, Phil Hendrie, Eric Schaeffer, and Larry David. That'll suffice for now. | | TV Shows | None, but I was featured in a newspaper article a few months back. You'd know if you actually read!!! Notice how they don't have "newspaper appearances"? Illiterate douchebags. |
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Mike Lawrence's Interests
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| General | Right now screenwriting and stand-up comedy are my primary interests. My stand-up is rather absurd, and as I've been told, highly offensive. I don't do dick, pussy and fart jokes so I'm not vulgar, but instead do the kind of hard-edged political humor that really offends people because it dares them to think. As a performer(especially in bars and clubs), that's the most dangerous thing you can do. If I ever do dick, pussy, and fart jokes that aren't political in some context then please kill me because I'd be a hack who doesn't deserve to live. Even if it might get me more laughs. I'll take the hard earned laughs since they're more rewarding, and integrity is something that should be preserved, not crushed. I'm currently doing the open mic night thing, and we'll see where it goes from there. I've finished one screenplay, "Candles" which should be completed sometime in the spring. One of my best friends is directing(we dabbled in each others respective fields, but at any rate, it's OUR movie), and I'm actively on set, and I can promise it's going to be good, and at the very least, a unique film experience. Better than most of the shit in theaters, not that that's saying much. I've begun work on a second screenplay "Cheer Up", a comedy about depression support groups, and a third screenplay, "Other Voices" that has the potential to change the film industry if it ever gets done. . I have an extensive history as a poet, and still write poetry every now and then when it fancies me, but those feelings are a lot less frequent. I still love to talk about poetry and enjoy sharing my pieces. I enjoy lingering conversations that morph into creatures of their own devices. One of my other interests is my blog which is extensively updated. I also love comic books to the point of obsession, cartoons, classical satire (SWIFT!), current dark comedy, talking with new people (my AIM is Pot22iec), random trivia, libraries, and trips to places I've been wanting to go to for a long time. There's still an extensive list. | | Music | Being a writer, I think I appreciate lyrics most. So, if you give me a masterful lyricist, I'll probably be an instant fan of the music. Those instances where the music and lyrics are both magical and rare to me. Some of my favorite artists are, but aren't limited to John K. Samson, the greatest writer to ever pick up a guitar. He's done solo work and is also the singer for the Weakerthans. I also currently love Jeff Mancum(Neutral Milk Hotel), Colin Meloy(the Decemberists), Belle and Sebastian, Matt Nathanson, Hawksley Workman, Joanna Newsom, The Arcade Fire, and Ed Harcourt among many others. I also dig country music, a few hip hop songs, 80s and 90s alternative (especially one hit wonders like Semisonic and A-Ha), and the Soundtrack from Rent. No, I'm not one of those people. Don't worry. And no, that's not what I meant by "those people". You know what I mean. | | Movies | Once again, what I do has a major impact on what I like. Getting into the art of filmmaking has changed my taste in films. I watch them now a lot more consciously, analyzing how things are done, studying techniques and acting as if I'm reading what I'm seeing on a page. My partner in filmmaking told me he read somewhere from Godard that "The movies you make are an active criticism of what you want to see in movies" (I'm paraphrasing there). Not having much money, we're making movies about people. About everyday life. No special effects or explosions. We're not doing genre films, although I do enjoy those types of films when done intelligently like Shaun of the Dead, Kung Fu Hustle, and even Scream. These are movies that not only parody their respective genre, but have it transcend what you traditionally expect.So yeah, smart, small movies like Happiness, Pieces of April, Amores Perros, and Last Night mixed in with the meta-genre films I mentioned above. Oh and Team America:World Police because I never laughed so fucking hard in my life. I couldn't speak the next day because of that movie. And I'll always be grateful for that experience. Also, I enoy a good smart black comedy. Two of my favorite films are Fear of a Black Hat and Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. | | Television | I can watch dramatic films and enjoy them immensely, but with television I've always preferred comedies. I've never been in a lengthy relationship with a dramatic TV show. A half hour is the perfect span for nonstop laughter. Some of my favorite scripted comedies are Curb Your Enthusiasm(Well, it's not really scripted, but it is....), the belated Starved (I can bitch about this show being cancelled prematurely forever), It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,South Park, the Simpsons (Although I have to admit it sucks now), Family Guy ( Which I'm beginning to tire of), and Extras. You'll ntoice that none of these shows have canned laughter. I despise canned laughter even if some of my favorite older shows had it, like Seinfeld, In Living Color, and Married With Children. I also enjoyed a lot of 90s cartoons like Beavis and Butthead, the Critic, and Darkwing Duck. And the comic fan in me worships every DC animated project from Bruce Timm and co., starting with the phenomenal Batman:The Animated Series, all the way up to the current Justice League Unlimited. I'll watch any stand-up, but mainly for research. I don't find the majority of comedians to be funny. That's on the local or national level. I just like to see their mannerisms and overall delivery style. Oh, and I watch wrestling. For the irony. It's there if your paying attention. | | Books | For books I would teach, I prefer books that can be enjoyed by children but that don't have to neccessarily be written exclusively for them like Swift or Chaucer. And of the children's books that I would want for my student, I'd choose subversive texts like those of Dr. Seuss or Maurice Sendak. Things that have more to them than what is there. For my own personal reading pleasure I've always enjoyed comic books over anything else. It's a preference for the form of storytelling, not neccesarily a preference to the types of stories that are generally told in comics. I do have a ton of superhero comics, but have read a lot of non-superhero comics. I'm always willing to try something new when it comes to the worlds most underappreciated artform. My favorite comics writers are Dan Slott, Keith Giffen and J.M. Dematteis, Brian K. Vaughn, John Byrne, Dwayne Macduffie, and Stan Lee (with a lot of credit going to the artists on his books, who did a lot more than they're credited for). | | Heroes | Who are you without you're influences? I find that there are several people, both famous and nonfamous that have made me a better person. First and foremost, my parents for giving me love, despite birthing me into a loveless marriage. My mother has individually helped me to hone my craft as a comic (she was one herself for many years), and my father has taught me about redemption and forgiveness. Without ever saying a word on the topics. My sister Jenna has shown me the undying hope and optimism in our nation's youth, which has made me want to be a teacher. Me and my friend John are mutually living the dream. Or at least trying to. My friend Cedric makes me proud to have never discarded my action figures. My friend Tony makes back-issue rummaging the blissful experience it derserves to be. My friends Todd and Sheena give me something to look forward to on Friday nights, and have been major supporters in my blossoming comedy career.My pal Ellis who makes going to a gas station at midnight more splendid than surreal. My ex girlfriend Christine taught me more about love and sadness then I'll ever need to know. There are the teachers who have inspired me professionally and personally.The comedians who taught me it could be done and still needs to be done. The poets who told me it should be done. Those New Yorker misfits who created the mythologies I grew up on. The people who have died for their causes. The people who live for tomorrow. Anyone who has stuck up for me. Anyone who will stick up for me. Dan Slott who has lived the life I want. Todd Solondz who makes movies that need to be made. George Carlin, Bill Hicks, Lenny Bruce. Ben Grimm,the greatest superhero ever. The Joker who is inarguably the greatest supervillain ever. I love you all. |
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Poetry, liz is god, South Florida Video Productions, Justice League Unlimited, Stand up comedy beginners, South Florida Comedians, South Florida Comedy Fans, Western High kids (davie,FL)
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Mike Lawrence's Details
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| Status: | In a Relationship | | Here for: | Networking, Friends | | Orientation: | Bi | | Hometown: | Davie, Florida, but i tell most people ft. lauderd | | Body type: | 6' 2" / Average | | Ethnicity: | White / Caucasian | | Religion: | Atheist | | Zodiac Sign: | Capricorn | | Smoke / Drink: | No / No | | Children: | I don't want kids | | Education: | In college | | Income: | Less than $30,000 |
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Mike Lawrence's Schools
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Florida Atlantic University-Boca Raton
Boca Raton, FLORIDA
Graduated: 2006
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: English
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2004 to 2006 |
Broward Community College
Ft Lauderdale, FLORIDA
Graduated: 2004
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Associate's Degree
Major: English
Minor: Education
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2002 to 2005 |
Longwood University
Farmville, VIRGINIA
Graduated: N/A
Student status: Alumni
Major: English
Clubs: Gay,straight,lesbian alliance. I tried starting a literary club but my sponsor bailed out so he can work on creating a new source of energy. Selfish prick.
Oh Longwood, how I long for thee. I survived my out of state college experience one year in before quitting. Fourteen thousand dollars pooerr, but I learned a lot about life so it was worth it.
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2001 to 2002 |
Western High School
Davie, FLORIDA
Graduated: 2001
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma
Major: World Domination. No, seriously.
Clubs: Literary Club vice president, memeber of S.W.A.T., Bastard of the drama club.
What to say about Western? I had to sign a waiver promisisng I wouldn't go to my prom. How cool is that?
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1997 to 2001 |
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Mike Lawrence's Networking
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| Clips: 1 |
Total Plays: 198 |
Plays Today: 0 |
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Run Time:
500
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Plays:
198
Comments:
2
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Mike Lawrence's Latest Blog Entry
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Been a long time since I...
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The Wrath of Con! Part 2 of 3
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The Wrath of Con! Part 1 of 3
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Working Hard or Hardly Working
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something for something
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Mike Lawrence's Blurbs |
About me:
I'm not the one and only Mike Lawrence, because I've checked and seen that there are many others. One, in fact, is a professional bridge player. And a few of them are dead. Poor Mike Lawrences, who will mourn for thee? I am, however, the only Mike Lawrence I personally know, and perhaps will be the only Mike Lawrence you personally know. And no, I'm not related to Joey Lawrence (Whoa!!) or Martin Lawrence, or Lawrence of Arabia. What I am is, essentially, a writer. Even my field of study, english education, is all about writing. When I don't write, I study ways on how I'm going to teach it once I'm in the classroom. I write poetry, essays, blogs (My blog is amazing in a sad, sad way), country songs about terrorist, and screenplays. I'm actually filming a movie now with a good friend of mine, and have just begun my foray into stand-up. Basically, I'm one of those artsy bohemian types, like in Rent, except I don't sing. Or die of AIDs. You know the kind of sensitive, creative guy women say they want when their in their teens but don't find until after their second marriage has failed and they're in their thirties, wondering why life has past them by? Yeah, that's me, waiting in the distance for my time.
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Who I'd like to meet:
Someone who actually does what they believe in. Someone who hasn't betrayed their ideals. Someone who hasn't grown up but has accepted what they need to do to do what they want to do. Someone who can understand that last sentence. Someone that will laugh at my jokes behind my back. Someone who will cry in front of me. Someone with ideas and the actions to fuel those ideas. Someone who challenges me to be smarter. I want to have to keep up with someone. I want to feel young and naive. I know you're out there. And so am I.
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| Mike Lawrence's Friend Space (Top 8) |
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Mike Lawrence has 743 friends.
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