Will ‘Cinders’ go to the ball?

2 minute read
Picture of Lynne Parker

Lynne Parker

What do you want to be when you ‘grow up’?  Apart from a Disney princess, I have always wanted to be a BBC continuity announcer, a casting director and a columnist on a national newspaper or magazine.  I’ve come pretty close to fulfilling some elements of these professions and what I do here at Funny Women ticks a few boxes. But, don’t call me ‘Cinderella’ just yet!

Do we ever really ‘grow up’ professionally?  When does the dream finally end? Our passion for work needs constant rekindling and some careers follow the path of a tempestuous relationship, never to be fully consummated.  For any of us in the entertainment and live events industry, you can go from madly in love to vehement dislike within a matter of hours. A sold out show puts you on a high but an empty house feels like the worst ever kind of rejection.

A positive take out from 15 months of lockdown and dark venues is how brilliantly we’ve all adapted.  I’m now a ‘continuity announcer’ on my own podcast, a ‘casting director’ when curating shows and events, and a ‘columnist’ here on the website. Plus writing anything is all good practice for that national newspaper column. For now!

I still have ambitions and most days I’m ‘in love’ with my job. Yet it’s natural to hate what you love when it doesn’t love you back and, on any given day in the world of comedy, our passions can run high and low in quick succession.

The last year has been a rollercoaster ride and seeing my life’s work threatened has been extremely challenging. But previous struggles have made me stronger and more focused.

‘Cinders’ may well go the ball after all!  

In the meantime, while I’m waiting for the other ‘glass slipper’ part of my career to be fitted, I’m loving the continuity of my podcast, HOW TO HAVE FUN AT WORK, which you can listen to here.

Picture of Lynne Parker
Lynne Parker
Lynne Parker founded Funny Women 24 years ago and is the CEO and executive producer of the Funny Women Awards. She is an experienced marketeer, performance coach, facilitator and public speaker and writes for leading newspapers, magazines and trade journals. Lynne also hosts the HOW TO HAVE FUN AT WORK podcast featuring guests from business and comedy who look at how humour relates to the workplace and beyond.
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Funny Women NextUp…Comedy Shorts Award

Are you a budding Director? Producer? Screenwriter? Are you collaborating with friends to make a funny video? Then we are looking for YOU!

If you have a short film or sketch that you think is hilarious, then enter your work for our Comedy Shorts Award to be in with a chance of winning some life-changing support and mentoring from comedy professionals.

WHAT KIND OF FILM ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

A 1- 6 minute film that can take the form of anything comical. It’s a great opportunity to show us your creative flair and have fun!

WHO CAN ENTER?

This award is open to all women filmmakers and content developers. The film must be an original narrative created, produced and devised by a woman, or women, although male cast and crew members are allowed.

ARE THERE ANY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR MY FILM?

Yes – we require all films to be 6 minutes or under, to be entirely original dialogue, to not feature brand logos and most importantly, to only use music with the written consent of the performer and/or publisher either personally or via the PRS system https://www.prsformusic.com/ .

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HOW IS IT JUDGED?

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2021 Funny Women Awards Prizes

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