Elevator Pitch #1

"What Makes Something Funny? "

Humor is such an important part of our lives. It can relieve stress and make coping with adversity a little easier. But, why do we laugh at certain things? What makes something funny to one person and not funny to another ?

It is important to explore the genesis of humor and I'm proposing we do it from a unique and ethnic angle. Jewish humor has been the cornerstone for most of the media we have been exposed to for the last century. Names like Milton Berle, Groucho Marx, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld and Adam Sandler have been among the most influential writers, directors and performers in Hollywood and on the TV screen.

My idea is to explore this brand of humor at all age levels. Will a group of Jewish senior citizens share the same ethnic funny bone as a young group of Yeshiva students ? Why is humor, specifically Jewish humor, important as a therapeutic source of coping ? And how has ethnicity shaped some of the great comic minds of our time ?

I hope to find the answers in heart warming reflections from those who have laughed and cried over the years in a must see documentary.


PROMOTIONAL RELEASE


JMS Communications announces it has begun production on a new documentary entitled, "Oy Vey: What Makes Being Jewish so Funny?"

The video will be produced in conjunction with a web site (TBA) that will allow viewers to interactively view samples of all interviews and vignettes.

The documentary will focus on various ways Jewish humor assimilates itself into our everyday life. One aspect of the film will focus on the Catskill Mountains, long considered the birthplace of Jewish humor, where young and established Jewish comedians perfected their craft in front of a mostly Jewish audience.

We will follow a noted Jewish motivational speaker who will share her insights into how humor has become a therapeutic tool in coping and relieving stress and anxiety.

The film reflects upon the life of a former vaudeville comedian who would later become a successful CEO of a large corporation.

And looks back on the career of a noted Jewish comedian and how they used their ethnicity to further their career.

This film is scheduled for release on or about May 2011.