Joe Lipari

Joe Lipari, also known as J.R. Lipari, (Born October 5, 1979) is an American writer, comedian and filmmaker.

Personal life

Born in Passaic, New Jersey, the first of three children, Lipari is a distant relative of Fred Allen.^{[citation needed]}

After high school Joe joined The United States Army and became a member of the 3rd Infantry Division. An expert marksman, Joe worked as a military advisor to defense contractors like Honeywell. As an advisor, Joe was a key member of the development of the Land Warrior system.^{[citation needed]} After two years in the military Joe blew out his knee and is now a Disabled Veteran.

Prior to leaving the Army, Lipari attended classes at Troy State University, Bergen County Community College, Santa Monica College, The Connecticut School of Broadcasting, The New York Film Academy and received camera training at Panavision in Hollywood, California. It was at Bergen County Community College that Joe's Speech teacher gave him a push to try stand-up comedy.

An avid yoga enthusiast, Joe practices frequently with close friend Tara Stiles. Joe is a graduate of the Strala Yoga One Month Intensive teacher training program.^[1] Joe teaches yoga sporadically, occasionally substitute teaching for friends who lead yoga classes in New York City.

Dave Hill (comedian), TONE, Joe Lipari and Renan Kanbay on location at Forbidden Planet (bookstore)(2011)

Career

In February 2003 Joe first tried stand-up at Caroline's on Broadway, in New York City.^[2]

Lipari received training as a comedy writer and improvisor at The People's Improv Theater in New York City; where he worked with Ali Farahnakian, Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler and Ellie Kemper to hone his comedy style.

From April 2004 through June 2007 Joe worked as a writer/producer for Starlog & Fangoria and as the on-air producer for Fangoria Radio (hosted by Dee Snider & Debbie Rochon) on Sirius Satellite Radio.^[3] After leaving Fangoria Joe worked as a freelance writer and producer for various clients and as a production assistant/camera operator for MTV's hit reality shows The Hills and The City.^[4]

Lipari receives a Diamond Cutter from Diamond Dallas Page at Sirius Radio (2007)

In 2005 Joe started performing at Gotham Comedy Club, where he began working with Eddie Brill, Jim Mendrinos and Jessica Kirson.

In 2009 & 2010, Lipari and Scout Durwood hosted Something Awesome, a live show that was "Part stand-up, part burlesque and all awesome". The show was a late night Friday night show at Comix Comedy Club in New York City's Meat Packing District.^[5] After a sold out Something Awesome Greg Giraldo told Joe that he thought the story Joe told on stage would make a fun movie idea and Joe should write a script. After Greg's advice Joe wrote a script for the short film that would later be called Dream Job^{[citation needed]}

After doing stand-up about becoming a yoga teacher at New York City's Gotham Comedy Club Joe was approached by a casting associate who was looking for a "sarcastic yogi". After a few questions Joe was cast in Eat, Pray, Love, starring Julia Roberts.^[6]

Joe wrote, produced and directed the short film, Dream Job.^[7] as a thesis project for The New York Film Academy's 1 Year Filmmaking program. Dream Job was an official selection at various film festivals (including The Friars Club Comedy Film Festival,^[8] Quirkfest^[9] & Hollywood Shorts^[10]) and won an Audience Award at the 16th annual PictureStart Film Festival^[11]

In 2012, Joe began teaching a DIY : No Budget Filmmaking workshop at the Improv Olympic in Hollywood, California (I.O. West) and The People's Improv Theater in New York City.^[12] In the 7 week workshop, Joe helps a small group of filmmakers write manageable scripts and produce 5 to 10 minute short films on limited time, money and resources.

In the summer of 2012 Joe returned to the New York to work at Motive NYC with long-time collaborator Chris Valentino. While at Motive Joe over-saw the production of the McDonald's/Coca-Cola Fountain Joy app as well as various motion graphics projects for TV broadcast; including House Hunters International.

When his schedule permits, Joe is a regular at top comedy venues including The Improv,^[13] The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club,^[14] The Ice House (comedy club) ^[15] Gotham Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, The People's Improv Theater and I.O. West^[16]

Joe Lipari and Chuck Nice on stage at Caroline's on Broadway in New York City (2004)

Terrorism

After being frustrated with bad customer service at an Apple Store, in September 2009, Joe jokingly paraphrased a quote from the book/movie Fight Club, which referred to use of firearms, on his Facebook page. In under 2 hours, NYPD SWAT arrived at his door and, after searching his apartment, they brought Joe to the station to be questioned by Homeland Security.^[17]

Joe spent a year in court clearing his name of all charges, even turning down multiple plea bargains. Eventually The City of New York dropped all charges including making terrorist threats and disorderly conduct. Since then Joe has received offers from lawyers pushing him to sue New York City for wrongful imprisonment, but he has no plans to sue. When Emily Epstein from Metro New York pressed him as to why: he replied "I'd rather be rich on my own accord, not by suing the people who are just trying to keep us safe"^[18]

His story was first covered by This American Life ^[17] in September 2010. It was also a cover story for Metro New York^[18] and featured in Britain's daily newspaper The Guardian.^[19]

In light of the NSA/Edward Snowden controversy, Joe created the White House petition to designate June 9 "Everyone Is a Suspect" Day.^[20]

References

External links

• Joe Lipari's Official Website
• Joe Lipari on IMDB
• Joe Lipari on This American Life
• Joe Lipari on Twitter
• Joe Lipari on Vimeo
• Joe Lipari on Youtube
• Joe Lipari on Favstar