Title:GEMA Externship: Where Are They Now? Marcus Lustig (C’19)

Marcus is the director of creative development at 800 Pound Gorilla Media, which produces and distributes stand-up comedy video specials & audio albums and is starting to make movies with comedians too. He is also a writer & comedian. He performs stand-up and improv at comedy clubs around the country and has written stage shows featured in ‘Netflix Is A Joke’ comedy festival and New York Comedy Festival.

What was your first “big break” into your industry? Or, what is the most significant experience you have had that has made your success possible?

As a young comedian, my first time performing at Zanies comedy club in Nashville was a huge accomplishment. I’d been climbing toward that goal at open mics and bar shows around the south. The show went great. Then my last name was misspelled on my check for the night. I couldn’t deposit it. You can achieve your dreams through hard work; but that doesn’t mean the world will magically start recognizing you when you do.

What was your first job?

In college (through GEMA – shoutout Teddy Zambetti) I worked for SiriusXM’s Joe Madison, aka the Black Eagle. As a skinny, white, Jewish kid interested in comedy, I was an unlikely candidate for a job in Black political talk radio. But Joe and the team hired me, included me, taught me. It’s difficult to put on a 4-hour daily radio show starting at 6AM, let alone make it good. They modeled the hard work it takes to make something good consistently. After graduating, I applied to work on SXM’s comedy channels; I didn’t get the gig but Jack Vaughn, head of comedy, forwarded my resume to a new company called 800 Pound Gorilla Media. I’ve worked at 800PGM ever since!

What do you do in your job now? What is your favorite part of your current position?

I’m the director of creative development at 800 Pound Gorilla. We produce and distribute stand up comedy video specials and audio albums. We’re producing movies with comedians now too. We get to make hilarious projects with talented comedians. We’ve built our own audience of millions of comedy fans so that we can get those projects in front of people who love them, on our own channels and through traditional distribution. It’s exciting to be part of a new distribution model that prioritizes artists’ ownership and isn’t dictated by big tech algorithms (aka what Google can most easily sell detergent ads against). Comedy specials have shaped the way I see the world so it’s meaningful to now help make them.

I’m also a comedian. I perform stand-up and improv comedy; I’ve also toured a written two-man show called “Kings of Camp,” all about Jewish summer camp. Comedy is the best artform for impatient people: if you have an idea, you can try it that night; and you get people’s feedback immediately.

What was the externship experience like for you? Did it have an influence on your career/help kickstart your career?

As an extern, I was touched by the alumni’s generosity with their time. The fact that older people said ‘we support you and a life in arts/entertainment is doable’ demystified this path and encouraged me. I also decided I didn’t want to live in LA.

What part(s) of the Externship did you find most valuable?

My life changed because I performed in the GEMA Rocks show during college. One year, my friends Connor and Emlyn hosted the biannual revue of alumni in the arts. They cast me to play the not-so-spooky ghost of a 1920s Georgetown freshman who cohosted the evening. Working on that show, I met fantastic alumni who helped me. They helped me work at SXM which led to my job now. I’d say just pursue the available opportunities you’re excited about; once you land one, do a good job and be nice to the people there; often, other opportunities you never expected present themselves; rinse & repeat.

What was your experience like attending Georgetown? Were there any particularly formative experiences that were special to you?

Georgetown Improv Association was the most meaningful experience of my life (aside from falling in love). I learned to listen, to connect, to give, to let go. I had so much gosh darn fun. My friends always said it was good for us that Georgetown was not a particularly artsy school: as the only game in town, we – the improv team – were presented with opportunities we didn’t deserve and had an open lane to do what we wanted. We sold out our improv shows; we hosted the a capella festival and GEMA Rocks; we were asked to open for lectures with dubious political speakers. A lot of the same kids relaunched the ‘Funniest Human at Georgetown’ competition and started a new sketch group and wrote for The Heckler. It’s not that we knocked all these ventures out of the park; but we were safe and supported to try lots of different things. I looked up from having fun at the end of college and realized I’d learned a lot about doing comedy without meaning to.

Also, writing a thesis for my history major also ruled!

What’s your advice for an undergraduate trying to break into your industry? Is there anything you would tell your younger self now?

After graduating, I was slow to realize nobody was paying attention to me. I figured Father Hollywood would come down from Show Business Mountain to say ‘we have a table waiting for you Mr. Lustig.’ However, the upside of no one paying attention is that no one stops you from just starting things – starting a monthly show, writing a script etc. People respect things that already exist. Things that exist demand to be reckoned with. Saying no to something real – a submission tape, a script, a proof of concept – takes energy. The B+ version of the idea that exists always beats the A+ version of the thing that only exists in someone’s mind. The people who do things get to keep doing things. Also, be nice to others. When I get short with anyone, I try to remind myself that comedy is never worth being unkind over.

Name someone in your career who has been a valuable mentor or role model to you and why?

Damion Greiman & Ryan Bitzer. I’ve learned that being honest, straightforward, and not defensive is the best way to do business and the easiest way to live.

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