Target reached!
This extra money will ensure we can secure the best location possible for the stand ...
The Punchline
Bournemouth, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, United Kingdom
Aim
We are making a documentary that investigates how grief and vulnerability impact a stand-up comedy duo trying to make it in the industry.
This documentary observes how stand-up comedy has served as an outlet for double act Tom Keenan and Bruce Williamson, as they have utilised it to overcome grief and express relatable grievances while maintaining their everyday working lives as a painter/decorator and crime surveyor. Vulnerability and perseverance underpin this documentary. Laughter truly heals; comics climb on stage to work through trauma and transform it into something that can entertain an audience. When Keenan lost his mother, he started performing comedy to help himself work through this grief. Similarly, Bruce utilises comedy to help with his neurodivergence, as the stage is where he feels most at ease. Although they may sing and joke about trivial topics such as their song titled ‘Chippy Jesus’ (which imagines if Jesus worked in a chip shop), their material holds greater meaning for both them and their audiences, as it has helped them to move on. This film will follow the duo's journey as they write, rehearse, and perform their comedy, seeking to uplift their audiences and make it in the industry.
Our Stars: The 3 wise men
Tom Keenan
Tom forms one half of the comedy duo 3wisemen, who perform musical stand-up. He is employed full-time as a painter/decorator based in London. He has a wife and two boys and tries to balance his work and family life as well as his creative ambitions. He started performing stand-up comedy just under ten years ago, using it as a creative outlet to help cope with the loss of his mother.
Bruce Williamson
Bruce forms the other half of the comedy duo. He is the creator of multiple comedy acts and characters. He works administering crime surveys for a living, which evaluate how effectively the police respond to incidents. Bruce is neurodivergent and uses comedy to get himself out of his comfort zone and confront how others perceive him.
A statement from Tom and Bruce:
"By day, they work the 9-5. By night, the Three Wise Men play their musical comedy to a roomful of strangers in the hopes of worldwide fame.
They’ve played a few rounds in the boxing ring of life and been knocked about, but are turning their life lessons into melodic mayhem.
Will they emerge comedy champions? What will their Punchline be?
Let the 3 wise men inspire you with their midlife comedy odyssey."
I was inspired to make this documentary through my love of going to stand-up shows in London. I have considered performing myself but never had the right mindset. Therefore, I am interested in the psychology behind what makes someone want to perform. When I was introduced to Tom Keenan, as he was painting the walls in my house in London, I was intrigued to explore his comedic process as well as the impact it has on all of the other aspects of his life. I think comedians have a unique insight into how they manage the worst and often, most awkward moments of their lives. In the modern era, especially with the rise of social media, we often put on a mask or try to present the best version of ourselves. Comedians often liberate themselves and, accordingly, their audiences from this convention. Instead, they expose these intimate moments, and rather than being self-conscious, they translate these anxiety inducing scenarios into their comedy routines in order to entertain their audiences. I am interested in exploring the process as to why comedians are driven to make this shift, to stand on stage and risk embarrassment, all to make a group of strangers laugh.
The Punchline blends observational documentary with cinematic storytelling, inspired by the vérité approach of The Last Laugh (2016). The film follows two comedians as they navigate the highs and lows of performance while balancing the routines and responsibilities of everyday life. Rehearsals, interviews, and live performances reveal moments of vulnerability and resilience, creating an immersive and human-centred visual experience.
Live performances serve as the emotional peak, capturing the raw energy, tension, and immediacy of comedy. At the same time, quieter moments such as rehearsals and interviews offer insight into the personal journeys behind the stage. Across all sequences, the cinematography responds thoughtfully to the contributors' experiences, balancing authenticity with cinematic expression to draw audiences fully into their world.
You should donate to this film if you want to show support for the people who go on stage and risk embarrassment to make you laugh. The Punchline will allow audiences to come alongside the heartwarming journey of our two comedians navigating their everyday triumphs and tribulations as they venture to make it in the stand-up scene. This story has the potential to inspire others to help find some purpose and light in their darker moments, and finally, on a lighter note - it will make you laugh (hopefully)!
As we will be staying on location in London for the entire shoot, most of the budget we raise will be going to crew living. This money will ensure our crew will be well fed and watered throughout, so we are fully energised to make the best film possible.
This project successfully funded on 11th December 2025