Standup Comedy "Your Host and MC"

John Edmonds Kozma "Bang Productions Inc" Southern Mama & Friends Comedy Tour

May 17, 2023 Scott Edwards Season 4 Episode 1000
Standup Comedy "Your Host and MC"
John Edmonds Kozma "Bang Productions Inc" Southern Mama & Friends Comedy Tour
Standup Comedy "Your Host and MC" + "Bonus" Shows
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Show Notes Transcript

This is a "Special" Bonus Show as we are here to support and promote John Edmonds Kozma and his Production Studio "Bang Productions Inc.". John is producing a standup comedy tour with comic Darrin Knight called "The Southern Mama & Friends Comedy Tour" which is being seen all over the Southeast. In addition, check out his Podcast  "Unimpressed Podcast", sharing good information & conversations. 
Short fun conversation, Listen and Enjoy!



Business Name: Bang Productions, Inc.
Website: http://www.bangproductionstv.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnedmondskozma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnEdmondsKozma/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdmondsKozma
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Announcer:

This is another episode of stand up comedy, your host and emcee, celebrating 40 plus years on the fringe of show business, stories, interviews and comedy sets from the famous and not so famous. Here's your host and MC. Scott Edwards. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a special bonus show. I have something unique and different for you. I was doing some work on the East Coast and they came across this guy. He runs a company called bang productions. He is currently producing some comedy around the East Coast, and I wanted to learn a little bit more about him. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the show. John Edmonds, Carlos.

Scott Edwards:

Thank you. Thank you, John. So nice to have you on the show. You're back in South Carolina running your company, "Bang Productions". Is that the vehicle the medium that you're using to promote comedy?

John Kozma:

It is named production. We've been around a while. And we we actually had the name before. Before all the bad websites popped up. So we had we were the original Bang productions.

Scott Edwards:

Yeah, I didn't really think about it, but I'm assuming if somebody put into their Googler bank productions, they might end up with some naked bodies and from but you know, in your company, you're working with comedy. I know that you manage a very talented comic out of the south. Darrin Knight, he's out of Alabama. Goes by the kind of the showbiz name, the southern mama comic. What are you in? Darren working on? What's what's bang productions got in the works?

John Kozma:

Well, we, we kind of slow things down a little bit with our live touring. When we're talking about dance specifically, during the pandemic, and this year is probably the first year we went kind of back to where we were at in the industry. And we have a national tour going on right now. That just kicked off April 28. And we got some big venues. We're doing the majestic and Dallas, Texas. We're doing the strand and Shreveport, Louisiana. We're doing New Orleans we're doing. We're doing the Charleston, South Carolina Coliseum Performing Arts Center. We're doing Charleston, West Virginia. They're performing arts center there. So we've got about 2020 big shows ranging from 1000 to 2500. See,

Scott Edwards:

that's amazing, John, now how did you kind of end up in comedy?

John Kozma:

Well, I was in television and developing stuff independently. And in 2016. I was developing shows with a guy a showrunner named Chris Kate, from Los Angeles. And I think now Chris is producing Bill Maher's pod current podcast. And I saw this talent, saw a video of Dan. And at the time friend of mine just signed the liberal redneck, Trey Crowder. And I was like, sorry, I missed this guy. And I talked to a bunch of comedy managers and so forth and industries that I said, Hey, you know, being in television being, you know, developing shows, and me and Chris just starting this business to develop shows and pitch them networks. You know, Can Can I find a comedy manager to help us out here and we'll does media. And they said, he doesn't need a manager. You've got five years development, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I think I came home from LA after that week with Chris and flew to Alabama. And I said, Screw it. We'll just we'll sign him and we signed him June 24 2016. And went to work. And I think the first from the time we signed him to the end of the year, we did $600,000 in business. Wow. And we we started with zero money.

Scott Edwards:

Well, John, that's an amazing story. Now, that explains your website is www bang Productions tv.com. That's bank productions. tv.com. Ladies and gentlemen, if you want to check out John and his company, go to that website, Bang Productions, Inc. And you can find them on the internet and you can learn more about what John's doing and what he's bringing to stand up comedy. But Darrin Knight, who's had some experience on stage, is doing this character. The tour's called the southern mama comic. Tell me what caught your eye about Darren? What what made him stand out from all the comics you may have seen.

John Kozma:

Yeah, yeah, current towards southern mama. And for Ian's comedy tour nationwide, I mean, when I saw him, when I dealt with, you know, developing shows, I always knew there's a light switch affects certain people had. And all the great ones that could do good interviews and so forth always had that, you know, you turn on the camera, and you ask them one question, and they can go and tell me his energy level. And the way he is able to turn a thought so fast, I made him a great talent. And that's, that's kind of been my specialty is being able to find great talent. And lucky enough to find great talent. But yeah, I think it was just the ways that they will, you know, turn us off quickly and, and had his punches. And he, you know, it was just a natural ability to do what I saw.

Scott Edwards:

Yeah. And it's great to point out for the audience that there are always has been mentioned many times in this podcast, the two sides of show business, and that's the talent side. So Darren comes in is the talent, somebody that can entertain a crowd that is worth paying to see. But behind the scenes, there's people like you and I have been producing comedy for over 40 years. You're more of a manager, you've taken bang productions, and kind of picked up Darren in his career and taking him to the next level by producing these big shows. Now, are you for walling these shows John, are you getting a book straight across and contract?

John Kozma:

Yeah, I'm doing that the thing is, like, there's a little misconception about my business, because I mean, if I do business, I control try to control the narrative. So when we first started, I think we sold out 150 shows in a row. And I was doing business how I knew how to do business, I would rent the venue's you know, I manage the act of the building. Next, I would produce the shows, I would sell my own tickets, I would market the shows. So I think when we had nine, so that shows when we first started, I sold my own tickets.

Scott Edwards:

Yeah, usually you are for walling shows in. And just to make it clear to people, when you're for walling the show, you're taking all the risk and responsibility of every aspect from leasing the theater to setting the lights and sound to you know, selling the tickets, marketing it. But the trade off is you have the benefit of being the receiver of 95% of the income off of that. And out of that I'm assuming you have an agreement with Darren, who comes in is he a partner or just a knack that you book?

John Kozma:

Yeah, I mean, you know, when we first started, I just, you know, I actually gave Darren 20% of bangs, because I knew there were times when I did business, in Hollywood and so forth. I tell people, and they would take off and run with ideas, and I never got compensated for anything. And I just think when this happened in the same happened for Darren so fast, I knew that there would be a lot of value there for the company. So I just did the right thing. And I gave him 20% Because I thought it was the right thing to do. Because I didn't want you know, if we ever broke up or anything like that, I didn't want him to feel slighted in any way because I've been in that position.

Scott Edwards:

Well, yeah, I mean, yeah, that's very generous of you, John. I mean, not a lot of managers or producers would share piece of the company. But that shows your commitment to Darren, and the southern mama tour and stuff and in everything you're doing. I think that's awesome. Now, you're also a podcaster I think it's called unimportant Is that right, John? The unimpressed podcast? unimpressed. I'm so sorry. They're not unimportant. They're very important, but they're unimpressed. Well, John, tell us how, what your podcast is about and how's that tie into bang productions?

John Kozma:

Well, when you you know, I know, you've mentioned that we're a manager, but like I said, we're really a studio. We're kind of a studio model, that was say in the 50s and 60s. So when, when Clint Eastwood son with Paramount Pictures, you know, they had everything in house from production, from distribution to marketing to PR. And we're kind of that model. And, you know, in a virtual space, we basically are you utilizing technology to operate like a studio wood, you know, in the 50s and 60s. That's really what we are some people, you know, pigeonhole me is just a manager but we're really a studio so can't be unimpressed podcasts. You know, I reverse engineer everything. And I just thought they were I think people are tired of the buzzy type podcast. I mean, how much bullshit can be buzz, they get emotions out of somebody to determine, you know, to determine whether it's a good podcast or not. So, with my podcast, I tried to interview people from the foundation up and try to unearth who they are. Walk them through their journey about life and create micro moments about life. It could be educational, to whoever's listening, like we had. Dr. Ian Smith, who just released a new book on last week. And last night, I had Dr. Steven Greer, he's the leading us guy in the country. For the government, he talks to the administration, you know, weekly about these things. So, you know, just want to educate some people and teachers teach them some stuff with the unimpressed podcast.

Scott Edwards:

Well, ladies and gentlemen, if you get a chance, go check out John's podcast. unimpressed. And John, I wasn't trying to pigeonhole you, I think that there is kind of a connection, that, you know, you are not only managing Darren, but of course, I didn't know that you also made him a partner. But the idea that you're doing a virtual studio is unique. And that's why I wasn't aware of it. I think that's an amazing concept. Congratulations on your success there. And again, to make it clear to the audience, what that means is John is really the whole package, he's bringing it together from A to Z, to make sure that not only the entertainment value, there's there the production value is there, the marketing, and the financial rewards, all through this virtual studio. And I think that's a genius idea, John, congratulations.

John Kozma:

Yeah. And to expand on that we're we're a meta media partner are one up 27 companies in the world at the meta media partner with Facebook. And also, we've just been approached to be liaison to be a first US major US Agency for tick tock for their live lab program. And this is based on the blueprint I created when I built Danner and you know, when I took down to"Just for Laughs", in two years from the trailer with my model, because that never been done before, I think is they, you know, takes he was a variety of top 10 And headline, variety stuff 10 Most people take 10 years to get to just relapse. So that model is what duplicated, that blueprint was duplicated and improved as improved over the past seven years to get us where we're at today.

Scott Edwards:

Well, that's sounds like really smart work. And I wasn't aware of your social media connections. And if you're doing this studio model, in managing your own marketing and on top of your promotions, getting that deep into the social media lines and working with meta, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and now it sounds like tick tock, it really can give you a broader audience base. Have you found that that's been? I would assume very beneficial and all these shows you're producing because you can get the word straight out to the public, right.

John Kozma:

Yeah, I mean, it's, you know, a lot of people don't realize, you know, being famous is eyeballs. You know, whether those eyeballs See you on a phone they see on a big screen, wherever it is, at the end of the day, it's the same thing. So the more eyeballs that you can convert with a great talent, you know, is the goal. You know, and I think it takes a great talent first to do what I do, but if I have a great talent that I'm working with, I know how to read the demographics and how to convert that to sales. Think I have the record with a eg global for selling 5000 tickets. And the venue's I think the venue spent $45.

Scott Edwards:

That's incredible. That's amazing. Well, ladies and gentlemen, you're gonna want to follow and check up on John, you can reach him through his website, www bank productions. tv.com. Make sure you get that TV in there. It is bank productions, Incorporated. He's all over social media you can find him@linkedin.com John Edmonds Kuzma. If you get a chance, we should explain that your last name is Koz m a correct John?

John Kozma:

That is right. So

Scott Edwards:

Everybody when you want to do a little research, you want to find one of his shows you maybe want to talk to him about your talent. Reach out to John Edmonds, COEs, ma Koz, Ma, and all the various media outlets through social media, but he's on the Googler with his website in his production company, bang productions. John, what other things would you like to plug before we go today?

John Kozma:

No, I'm just really, I'm really excited about the Unimpressed podcast. I really think we can educate some people there. So if y'all want to learn some stuff, come over to the"unimpressed podcast" and check us out.

Scott Edwards:

Yeah, the unimpressed podcast starring John Edmund Kuzma. And what platform is that available on Apple? Spotify? I heart all the usuals

John Kozma:

Yeah, all the usuals we're, I think we've, we've done 100 live in episodes and we can I think we released 104 today. So yes, that's me. John Edmonds. Cosmas. unimpressed podcast. Oh, man, that is so great.

Scott Edwards:

Well, John, thanks for being on my show. And sharing with my audience some of what you're doing. It is unique and that you're pulling together comedy with the studio format. You have your podcast, very successful. Bank productions. Ladies and gentlemen. John, thanks so much for joining us on the podcast. Yeah, appreciate you having me. Yeah, thanks for thanks for the talk. Ladies and gentlemen checkout unimpressed on your podcast network. And we'll be back this Sunday with another great show. Thanks, John, for joining us. All right. Thank you. Oh, hey, everybody. Check out Darrin Knight and this southern mama comedy tour. What's the exact name of the tour? John, let's get a plug in. Yeah, Southern mama and friends. Comedy Tour, Southern mama and friends comedy tour coming to a theater near you. Check it out. Alright, ladies and gentlemen. Bye. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Stand Up Comedy you're hosting MC. For information on the show merchandise and our sponsors, or to send comments to Scott. Visit our website at WWW dot standup your host and mc.com Look for more episodes soon and enjoy the world of stand up comedy. Visit a comedy show room near you