(Photo by Eddie Vega)

November 21, 2010

NEW YORK - Paul Costabile, 23, and his television production crew tape an episode of "Gorilla Late Night Comedy" in Times Square, where they have been shooting shows since August 2009. He told ComedyBeat about his experiences with New York City's permitting process:

Each shoot on the streets of Times Square requires a permit from the Mayor's office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting in New York. "Luckily for us, we were able to figure out a way to get a certain permit that is free. I've gotten very familiar with the people at the permit office and they are usually nothing but nice and very easy to work with. Yet sometimes, if I'm dealing with someone who I haven't before, it can be a pain to even get the normal permit we usually do. People seemed confused at what we're actually trying to do, and often times tell us we can't do it. I've had to fight my way for a permit a few times explaining that this is something regular we've done for over a year now. Lucky for us, it's always worked out.

Law Enforcement is a different story. For the most part as well, the New York City police are extremely flexible, understanding and cool with us shooting on our "set" in Times Square. Unfortunately like the permits, it can become a week to week battle. Not everyone knows about our show, so when there's a new officer or someone who doesn't understand what we're doing, we get questioned. I've had to stop during a live taping to talk to police officers, one time we had to move my desk a few feet to satisfy an officer and another time we even had to not use our tripod for one of our cameras so we had "nothing on the ground". Although at times we hit some kinks, the police really are super great at allowing us to shoot our show. We've even had some officers sit in a car in the background and wave hi to the camera for tapings and things like that. Talking with them and showing permits has just become a regular routine within the show and luckily for us has worked out great after 20 episodes and counting.

[The Gorilla Late Night crew included director of photography Dan Erbeck, 24; cameramen Mark Fagnano, 23, Dom Chierico, 25, and Dean Urcioli, 19. Live music was provided by Matt Caminiti, 23, who played multiple instruments.]

(Photo by Eddie Vega)

NEW YORK - Nov. 14, 2010. Comedian Robert Weiner, 42, who performs as "Cracka Don," recruits an audience for the Ha Comedy Club, located at 163 West 46th Street. “Each club compensates differently,” he explained about his marketing efforts. “Some clubs for comics to get stage time you have to promote their club by going into the street and barking, which means you have to go into the street in all types of weather yelling and screaming to bring traffic to the club, in order for you to get on stage for a few minutes, then you've got to go back into the street again to bark to bring in more people so you can get back on stage again.”