Nope! Not yet, at least. Right now, everyone involved is doing it for the love of the game.

Any revenue generated will be reinvested into stuff like better branding, better equipment, hiring editors, buying crap for sketches, and funding live shows. Eventually, once we gain a more substantial following, I’d like to turn this into a real business.

Yes! Dear god, yes. If you're a skilled editor and have a good sense of humor, please shoot me an email at contact@noahchrysler.com. I'm looking for talented individuals to help edit videos for this project. Currently searching for a Volunteer Assistant Video Editor. I'll provide training on my exact editing process for these videos.

Please note that this is currently an unpaid opportunity. It IS, however, a chance to build your portfolio, learn more about production, and showcase your editing skills. If that sounds like a crock of bullshit to you, I totally understand how you feel. I’ve been “paid in exposure,” and it’s pissed me off too. As the project grows, I hope to be able to offer compensation for the hard work of the editors who work on this project.

Scenes From A Hat - I’ve found this format to be one of the most reliable games for generating this type of content. You’ll receive a prompt like “Bad things to say on a first date” and then we’ll each take turns at delivering different punchlines and bits.

Remember that, even when you’re on the backline, you’re still a part of the performance. The best way to support the other improvisers there is by being engaged, listening, and reacting to their bits.

I’ll occasionally introduce new games. I’ve found that scenic improv games can be difficult to adapt for TikTok.

Shoots currently take place in my apartment. I won't be posting my address online for obvious reasons.

If you're scheduled to shoot, I'll send you a message with the exact location.

As the project grows, I hope to host shoots at different locations to keep things interesting.

Wear what you would wear to perform in an open mic or an improv show. I recommend looking somewhat put-together and professional, but if that’s not your vibe, that’s also fine.

Look, I get it. You’re an artist. An actor. A writer. A filmmaker. An accomplished comedian. You’ve honed a craft, and you’ve got real skills that you’re proud of.

You might think that rolling around in the dirt with the lowest form of comedy - shortform improv - is beneath you. It’s cringe. It’s embarrassing. But hear me out.

If longform improv reliably generated usable, funny, easily consumable content for the internet, I would make a project focused on that. I’ve found, however, that it doesn’t. It takes time to establish base reality. It takes time to find truly funny games in scenes.

When you’re making content for the internet, you’re battling a retention graph. You’re trying to get someone to watch something for more than 3 seconds, when they could instead be browsing reddit or watching thirst trap videos. When it takes you at least 30 seconds to do object work, find a relationship, establish base reality, and then frame a game in a scene? Online audiences have already stopped caring and scrolled away.

By focusing this project on short form improv games, the large majority of content shot for this is usable, postable, and easily consumed by an online audience. With quick, snappy games, we can generate reliable laughs that are perfect for sharing on social media. Plus, it's a great way to involve a variety of talented comedians and build a community.

Of course, this is just the beginning. As the project grows, we'll explore other avenues like sketch comedy, podcasts, and other types of improv. But for now, let's embrace the joy of shortform and make some fun content that people actually want to watch.

And hey, if that's not your thing, no hard feelings. But if you're going to be a snob about it, maybe stick to smoking your pipe in a bookstore while jerkin’ it to George Carlin’s autobiography, or whatever it is you do, you sophisticated comedy aficionado.

Ideally, we shoot twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. However, this is subject to change depending on my schedule and workload.

Videos will be uploaded to TikTok, Insta Reels, Facebook Reels, and YouTube shorts. You can find them on any platform by searching @Meatball_Factory.

I’ll do my best to tag participants in each video. To improve your chances of getting tagged, make sure you’re following @meatball_factory.

Sure! If you’d like final edits from the shoot, let me know and I’ll send them to you. I’d appreciate it if you could credit @meatball_factory when you repost content.

My ultimate vision for this project is to create an online comedy production company similar to established brands like Dropout (formerly College Humor), Funny Or Die, ClickHole, and Cracked. The company will produce a wide range of online content including long-form sketch videos, podcasts, meme accounts, let’s play series, live streaming content, live performances, and more.

I’d like to someday open a live theater location that offers comedy classes, as well as a venue specifically designed for live-streaming live comedy performances, with both an in-person and an online audience.

I always hear “longform improv doesn’t translate well to video…” Well…what if everyone was mic’ed up? And shot from multiple camera angles? And the camera angles were live-mixed during performances as they were live-streamed to audiences all around the world? Most longform doesn’t translate well to film because it’s shot on a crappy locked off tripod in the back of a room, where you can’t hear any of the performers, and you can’t SEE their reactions. I want to build a venue designed to change that.

My long-term goal for Meatball Factory is to create a comedy production company that embraces modern technology and social media, instead of treating them as an afterthought (like many of the other theaters I’ve previously been a part of.)

I'll be using my best judgment to select performers. I'm looking for funny people who have demonstrated their ability to generate laughs in the past, and can provide evidence of their skills.

To increase your chances of being featured, please fill out the form above, and fill out the Doodle Poll.

Applicants who submit videos of improv performances, standup sets, acting reels, sketch videos, and comedy writing samples will be prioritized. Seeing past examples of your work gives me a better sense of your skills. While you can mention your improv training and comedy experience, videos and real examples are weighed more heavily.

While I won't be casting anyone based solely on their identity or background, please note that diversity is something I’m cognizant of, and that I do believe in the importance of showcasing a diverse range of voices and perspectives in this project.

We aim for a PG-13 to light R-rated vibe. Tone-deaf jokes that cross the line and are explicitly racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or xenophobic, aren’t welcome.

The final decision about what makes it past the filter lies with me. I use my best judgment to determine what to include, and what to cut.

Just use your best judgment, and recognize that this stuff is being posted on the internet, where it has the potential to live forever.

If you have concerns about something that’s been posted, reach out to me. I'm open to feedback and discussion. Please remember to approach me in a friendly manner, and understand that my intention is never to intentionally hurt or upset people.

No, you will not be able to preview the footage before it's posted. Please keep in mind that anything you say or do during the shoot has the potential to be included in the final published edit. As a participant, you do not have final control over the content.

I may consider removing published content on a case-by-case basis. However, creating these videos requires time, energy, and money, and I’m reluctant to set a precedent of removing content just because someone is retroactively embarrassed.

If you're concerned about a piece of content that's been posted, please reach out to me directly via email at contact@noahchrysler.com or by DM on social media @noahchrysler. I’m open to feedback and discussion, but please remember to approach me in a friendly manner and understand that my intention is never to deliberately hurt or upset anyone.

If you're feeling unwell or have been exposed to someone with Covid-19, please don't come to the shoot. We also recommend that participants follow guidelines from health officials, including getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and practicing proper hygiene.

The best way is to send me an email to contact@noahchrysler.com. You can also DM me on social media @noahchrysler.