Whaddaya know, Flash Rosenberg?
Flash Rosenberg is a Guggenheim Fellow in the Creative Arts and “Attention Span for Hire” who draws, photographs, writes and performs. As artist in residence for LIVE from the New York Public Library she live-drew literary discussions in real time to create animated “Conversation Portraits.” She translates complex concepts into instant drawings for major clients, such as Visa, Gatorade, the nation of Mexico, Verizon, the Ford Foundation and the UN — and has created feisty animations for PNC Bank, Advanced Solutions International, CNBC, Random House, Houghton Mifflin, Amazon Publishing…and more. Her “FlashThink” cartoons were a weekly feature on Archetypes.com.
Her animations were featured on Broadway for The Rascals’ “Once Upon a Dream.” She is a Mainstage storyteller for The Moth, a performer in “Monologues and Madness,” a member of the poetry collective “brevitas,” and was the official DoodleClown for the New York Clown Theater Festival. She teaches Live-Drawing at The Art Students League and is the host of “Flash Perception Lab.” Flash Rosenberg Studio is a full service photography, motion picture, merriment and mischief factory based in New York City. She lives with three turtles and infinite questions.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into the comedy world?
I never knew I was funny…until I read a New York Times Science section article stating that adult humans laugh about 10 times per day. I thought, “Wow! I am WAY over the limit.” So for two weeks I kept a diary where I entered EVERY TIME I LAUGHED. And whaddaya know, all the times I laughed, it was because of something I observed and said.
What were you like as a teen?
I was a teen long ago, back when girls were not “funny.” If cognitively witty, we were considered weird, and “clueless” about how to “behave.” Well, that didn’t stop me. Feminism was a big tent that suddenly asserted its right to be a forum in 1972…
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
I was Photo Editor at “Delaware Today” magazine when I was about 22 years old, all while I kinda looked like I was 12. EVERY story I showed up to document, I was greeted with “Where’s the REAL photographer?” (Meaning: The Man!) Was so much FUN to announce I was IT.
What is your biggest comedy achievement to date?
Enabling people I meet in-passing to laugh at our immediate predicament. To me, comedy is not a high falutin talent to trot out on stage for applause. But a “WAY TO LIVE” by offering sly observations in ANY circumstance that might otherwise coagulate as anger…
When you were coming up in, what helped you stick with it?
A sincere desire to be honest. And not let ridiculous “rules” sway me from my desire to be funny by wit, not by cursing and bawdy sexual innuendo.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
Sure. Being elegant and witty has always triumphed over jackass belching.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
Don’t let me die! Let’s book a show together!
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Keep your eyes into the audience to watch them “CATCH” your comments. Their listening is as powerful as your remarks.
How has being funny helped you in your life?
I am proud to be a Pathological Optimist.
What specific things should a novice comedy writer do to shape their voice?
Keep a notebook of every time you laugh during the day.
Do you have a writing routine?
I fret and panic when on deadline to craft my next piece. While THINKING about it all the time. Suddenly, it is TIME to plunk it down as an outline. And whaddaya know? It’s all there.
Law & Order or Law & Order SVU. Because they SOLVE everything is LESS than an hour.
