Laugh Factory reveals Spectrum Laboratory’s HOUSE OF MASKS short film by all-neurodivergent cast and crew
The iconic Hollywood comedy club provided a platform for neurodivergent improv talent – live – on its main stage and to autistic filmmakers via its in-house screen.
Spectrum Laboratory (Spec Labs) is one of several official Autism in Entertainment educational partners and exhibitors from the April 5, 2024 Conference at Skirball Center.
October 29, 2024, Los Angeles, CA – Comedy and neurodiversity snagged an ally in toy inventor-turned-Laugh Factory President David Fuhrer. On October 21, Fuhrer – the brains behind Aqua Doodle, Nerf Vortex Football, Twisty Petz and other kids’ playroom/playground staples – broadened his commitments to both mindsets via a Spectrum Laboratory-produced double bill on Sunset Boulevard. Fuhrer, plus Laugh Factory Founder Jamie Masada, Operations Director Ross Milestone and staff welcomed the neurodivergent Spec-ond City Players improv troupe to the iconic Laugh Factory main stage. Immediately thereafter, Spec Labs’ horror-comedy short film HOUSE OF MASKS premiered to an enthusiastic house.
Earlier this year, David Fuhrer joined Laugh Factory as President and business partner to Jamie Masada. Once hiking buddies, Fuhrer and Masada now work in concert for the landmark venue that Masada established in 1979 and nurtured into an empire.
“I have a unique ability to repeat anything backwards. It’s my own language,” confided Fuhrer. “That brought me into THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS and onto TV talk shows, like ELLEN and THE TONIGHT SHOW. I fell in love with comedy there. I admire atypical perspectives. It’s important to open Laugh Factory doors for these uncanny comedic voices to be heard.”
For this week’s special show, Fuhrer and Masada generously extended their comedy kingdom to LA’s autism community for the second time in a six-week span. The maiden voyage had occurred on September 11 and was an all-pro stand-up extravaganza starring Will Hunter, Kruger Dunn, Josh Meyrowitz, Laurie Kilmartin, Jeremiah Watkins, and Erik Griffin. In contrast, the October 21 Laugh Factory to-do featured official Autism in Entertainment educational partner Spectrum Laboratory, a crowd-pleasing, LA-based 501(c)3 performing and visual arts training ground tailored toward budding neurodivergent talent whose media careers are works-in-progress.
The aforementioned Laugh Factory affair attracted many Spec Labs students. Spotlighted Spec-ond City Players were (in no particular order) Spec Labs co-founder/executive director Jason Weissbrod, Atticus Baldwin, Domonique Brown, Rylee Christiansen, Chelsea Darnell, Josh Rose, Luke Rose, Micah Stumbaugh, and Shane McKaskle.
Alongside their improvisational peers, Spec Labs’ HOUSE OF MASKS short film cast and crew populated the theatre (complete list of screen project contributors is here: https://filmfreeway.com/HouseofMasksLA). The enrapt audience for Spec Labs’ initial horror-genre foray included legit Hollywood royalty. Spec Labs consultant/actor Lillian Carrier; actor Isabella Hofmann (Atticus Baldwin’s mom); Mike Darnell (studio executive/executive producer behind AMERICAN IDOL, MASTERCHEF, and MASTERCHEF JUNIOR) and Carolyn Darnell (Chelsea Darnell’s parents), plus auteurs Greg Mooradian (producer behind TRANSFORMERS, TWILIGHT Saga, and PERCY JACKSON film franchises) and Debra Mooradian were among attending luminaries. Autism in Entertainment founder and chair Judi Uttal, plus writers/producers/autism advocates Rob Kutner and Mike Rotman were there in spirit; all three were instrumental in forging professional bonds that led to the evening’s success.
Spec Labs’ co-founders/principals Jason Weissbrod and Garth Herberg burst with pride for their mentees, and they articulated it vociferously. “What a night! This is an experience that will live in Spec Labs’ collective memory as a huge milestone. It’s the first time (in our nearly 10-year history) that our actors performed live on such an acclaimed stage. We think that this show served as a worthy follow-up to the first Autism in Entertainment Neurodivergent Comedy Night at Laugh Factory on September 11 and to the inaugural Autism in Entertainment Summit at Skirball Center on April 5. We hope for encores soon!”
Not one to rest on reputation, Spec Labs next offers its second annual signature spooky season musicale SPEC-O-WEEN, Wednesday, October 30 at Barnsdall Theatre in Hollywood. It’s a night of four Spec Lab bands, more Spec-ond City performances, and one surprise Jorge Gutierrez original poster and T-shirt design. Corresponding merch sales occur on-site. Tickets are available for purchase here: https://www.speclabs.org/event-details/spec-o-ween-2
Finally, the darkly comedic HOUSE OF MASKS has newly-acquired bragging rights from two film fests. The title is an honorable mention awardee in Nassau Film Fest 2024 and an official selection of Diabolical Horror Film Festival 2024. This mini-opus becomes accessible to the world on Halloween. Tune into the Spec Labs YouTube channel at 8 p.m. on October 31 to live stream a fun-sized film with wild characters who twist and turn their way through a house party gone awry. The online watch event awaits here: https://www.youtube.com/@spectrumlaboratory
About Spectrum Laboratory: The Spectrum Laboratory educational formula is a creation of Jason Weissbrod and Garth Herberg. Concocted in 2015, LA-based Spectrum Laboratory celebrates neurodiversity and inclusion in the arts. A.k.a. Spec Labs, this pioneering collective and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization empowers and mentors student artists in acting, film, music, and voiceover. Participants pursue their passions while learning to be successful within the larger entertainment industry. Notable alums include Dani Bowman and Abbey Romeo of Netflix’s Emmy-winning hit series LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM and Domonique Brown of Netflix’s coming-of-age seriocomic serial ATYPICAL.
About Autism in Entertainment:
Established in May 2022 under the auspices of Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, with a grant from the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), and in partnership with Zavikon, the Autism In Entertainment Workgroup includes educators, professionals, and family members who believe that individuals on the autism spectrum can contribute in entertainment-related fields, including film, television, social media, and game design. The goal of Autism In Entertainment is to drive employment efforts in entertainment-related careers.
About Orange County Asperger’s Support Group (OCASG):
The Orange County Asperger’s Support Group is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for autistic teens, adults, and their families in the community. We achieve this through providing support, organizing social activities, and education. Our goal is to empower the autism community by creating a safe and welcoming environment where individuals and families can connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges. We believe that through support and education, individuals with autism can achieve their full potential and become valued members of the community. For more information, visit www.ocaspergers.org or contact ocasupport@gmail.com. OCASG is the proud parent organization of Autism in Entertainment.
About Jorge R. Guiterrez:
Emmy and Annie award-winning Jorge R. Gutierrez is a Mexican animator, painter, voice actor, writer and director. A CalArts Experimental Animation BFA & MFA graduate, Gutierrez has completed various films, cartoons, and paintings exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture. Gutierrez was director and co-writer of the Guillermo del Toro-produced animated feature THE BOOK OF LIFE, which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe award nomination. Along with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, they created the multiple Emmy Award-winning animated series EL TIGRE: THE ADVENTURES OF MANNY RIVERA for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez most recently created, wrote, and directed the event series MAYA AND THE THREE for Netflix. The project won two Annie awards and four Emmys.
