Private Project

Let It Out: Neurodivergent Comedy at the Laugh Factory

On April 5, 2024, an ADHD TV writer (Rob Kutner), a teacher (Maja Watkins), a retired tech exec (Judi Uttal), and a PR/marketing fixer (Marlene Sharp) cross paths at the inaugural Autism in Entertainment Conference in Los Angeles. They conspire; they pick up a polished live performance producing partner (Mike Rotman); they attract the iconic Laugh Factory comedy club. Five months later, out pops the debut neurodivergent chuckle fest in Hollywood. Is an encore in store?

  • Judi Uttal
    Producer
    AUTISM IN ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS SPECTRUM SPOTLIGHT: DANI BOWMAN
  • Maja Watkins
    Producer
  • Marlene Sharp
    Producer
  • Rob Kutner
    Producer
  • Mike Rotman
    Producer
  • Paul Hemstreet
    Producer
  • Julian Grajczak
    Camera
  • Josh Copelan
    Camera
  • Julian Grajczak
    Camera
    AUTISM IN ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS SPECTRUM SPOTLIGHT: DANI BOWMAN
  • Abigail Masada
    Key Cast
    "Comic"
  • Willie Hunter
    Key Cast
    "Comic"
    THE CARMICHAEL SHOW; HEAD OF THE CLASS
  • Kruger Dunn
    Key Cast
    "Comic"
  • Jeremiah Watkins
    Key Cast
    "Comic"
    THE CASAGRANDES; DC SUPER HERO GIRLS
  • Laurie Kilmartin
    Key Cast
    "Comic"
    CONAN; THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN
  • Josh Meyerowitz
    Key Cast
    "Comic"
  • Erik Griffin
    Key Cast
    "Comic"
    MURDER MYSTERY; LOPEZ VS. LOPEZ
  • Rob Kutner
    Key Cast
  • Mike Rotman
    Key Cast
  • Maja Watkins
    Key Cast
  • Carmella Rogers
    Key Cast
  • Jamie Masada
    Key Cast
    "Laugh Factory founder"
    LAUGH FACTORY en Espanol; THE KEVIN NEALON SHOW
  • Marlene Sharp
    Key Cast
  • Judi Uttal
    Key Cast
  • Faith Butterfield
    Event poster design
    SCHLITZIE: ONE OF US
  • David Fuhrer
    Special thanks
    THE TONIGHT SHOW; THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW
  • Ross Milestone
    Special thanks
  • Maria Rizkalla
    Special thanks
  • Jimi Bordeaux
    Autism in Entertainment logo design
  • Julian Grajczak
    Editor
    AUTISM IN ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS SPECTRUM SPOTLIGHT: DANI BOWMAN
  • Paul Hemstreet
    Director
    AUTISM IN ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS SPECTRUM SPOTLIGHT: DANI BOWMAN
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Non-fiction
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 25, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Podfest Expo Comedy Film Fest
    Orlando
    United States
    February 1, 2025
    Nominee, Best Documentary Short
  • Austin Micro Film Festival
    Austin, TX
    United States
    May 17, 2025
    Finalist, Best Documentary
  • La Femme International Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    October 19, 2025
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Autism in Entertainment
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Paul Hemstreet

Paul Hemstreet is an award-winning independent producer. He currently heads Video Production for Autism in Entertainment, a non-profit dedicated to creating job opportunities for Neurodivergent talent in Entertainment. Paul also mentors neurodivergent individuals in video production and editing, and is a producer of documentaries, theatre productions and live entertainment. During his tenure at Warner Bros as SVP Creative Content, he produced special features for films and TV series released on disc and digital, including the Harry Potter films, the DC Universe, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and the great Warner Classics. He earned his MFA in the Directing for Theatre and Film at CalArts, after working in Marketing at Theatre de la Jeune Lune in Minneapolis, and graduating from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He resides in the LA area with his wife, Jeudi Cornejo Brealey, and twin adult kids, who happen to be on the Autism Spectrum.
https://www.paulhemstreetproducer.com/

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

We had so much talent in the room that groundbreaking night -- amazing stand-up comics, comedy writers, actors and the legendary club owner, as well as brilliant people from multiple charity organizations who came together to pull this event off, and, a lively and appreciative Neurodivergent audience in a safe space. I wanted our own neurodivergent production team to capture as much of that fun and positive energy as we could into this short piece. My hope is it will inspire many more events like this. This is what Autism in Entertainment is all about.