Behind The Sketches: Smelt Shack / Seal Video

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Behind The Sketches: Stand Up Canada, Atticus Finch Is Passing By

Harper Lee and her fictional character, Atticus Finch, have been in the literary headlines over the past few months.  It made me think back on a Sketch-22 sketch I wrote for our 7th (and final) season - Stand Up, Canada. Atticus Finch Is Passing By.  I had a couple of minutes today, so I went back and re-read it and had a bunch of chuckles and many great memories of performing in it.  It's one of my favourite sketches of mine, partly because it's just such a weird concept.
I figured "why not post it here for anyone who might be interested".

You'd be surprised at how many sketches I've written over the years that have come from (or have incorporated) something said during the many lunch-times spent with Dave Stewart.  We often riff on all kinds of silliness, and this sketch eventually came from something said during one of those lunches.
I forget exactly how it came about, but I distinctly remember where we were when "Stand up Canada, Atticus Finch is passing by" was first uttered.  We were on the corner of Kent and University (by the public phone).  Maybe we were talking about titles for utterly lame Canadian game shows, and this concept popped up.  We laughed at it and that was it.
But the name stuck with me, and so when I was scouring my brain for sketch ideas to write for Sketch-22 Season 7, I decided to try and make that weird concept into an actual sketch.

The goal was to parody those rather stuffy, stiff and often boring (especially to a child) Canadian game show slash current events shows, like Front Page Challenge, that showed up on Canadian television in the 1960s and 70s.

I'm pleased with how it turned out. I like how there really aren't any jokes in it, and how it just kind of presents the weird idea without explaining it.  I like how this fake-example of Canadiana oddly and prominently features an iconic American literary character, again without explanation. I like the formality of it all, the expectation of propriety, and the utter dullness of the topic of discussion.
I expect many audience members were puzzled by what they were watching.  And that always thrills me too.
I love the characters we ended up with, and remember often having a hard time trying to keep from laughing during performances.

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Stand Up Canada.  Atticus Finch Is Passing By.

Perry James - Andrew Sprague
Gregson Oxbridge - Lennie MacPherson
Mary Abercrombie-Pettingcock - Graham Putnam
Pierre Cardigan - Rob MacDonald
Robert Clothier (as Atticus Finch) - Dennis Trainor

Music up - a not-very-exciting instrumental piece.

Lights up to reveal:

Perry James, behind a podium

Gregson, Mary & Pierre sitting in a row of chairs

2 small tables, one on either side of the stage, each strewn with various papers.

Music down

Perry James:  Good evening, Canada, and welcome to "Stand Up Canada, Atticus Finch Is Passing By".  I'm your moderator, Perry James, and it truly is a treat to see so many fresh, young faces in the audience tonight.  Hey, let's get right to the discussion by introducing this week's panelists.

He's Philosophy Professor Emeritus at Kings College, and writes a weekly column in The Progressive Magazine, please welcome back Gregson Oxbridge.

Gregson (half-rises, bows and nods):  Indeed.

Perry James:  She's a four-time consecutive winner of the Lady Jane Pleasantries Prize, and political writer for the Guelph Intelligencer , let's appreciate Mary Abercrombie-Pettingcock.

Mary: Pleasures abound, Perry.

Perry James:  And he's a distinguished non-fictionalist and Canadian historian, who's latest book "Appraising The Canadian Arctic" is receiving numerous academic accolades, it's our Resident Panelist, Pierre Cardigan.  Pierre, I think you know more about our country than any man alive.

Pierre:   The more I see of the country, the less I feel I know about it. There is a saying that after five years in the north every man is an expert; after ten years, every man a novice. 

Gregson:  Quite!

Perry James:  We all know how the evening unfolds.  I'll bring up a topic of discussion and our panelists will debate its merits, pausing at the appropriate times when Atticus Finch passes by.  And it's my great honour to announce that this week, Atticus Finch will be portrayed by Robert Clothier, who plays Relic on the CBC television series, The Beachcombers, now in its 9th season.  Robert.

The panelists applaud politely.  Robert Clothier comes out, dressed in a white flannel suit, like Atticus Finch in the movie To Kill A Mockingbird.  Except he still has the toque that Relic always wears.

Robert:  It is indeed a pleasure to be playing the esteemed Atticus Finch.  I welcome the change of pace.  Today, I'll be in search of laws, instead of in search of logs.

They all laugh politely.  Except Gregson, who does not understand the reference, it being pop culture.

Perry James:  Alright, let's get right into this week's discussion.  Robert, if you would, please become Atticus Finch.

Robert Clothier changes his demeanor and *becomes* Atticus Finch.  He begins to sort papers on one of the desks.  The panelists are impressed at his acting.

Perry James:  Panelists, as you know, in May of this year, Canadians went to the polls, resulting in a Joe Clark led Progressive Conservative minority.  Since then, the government has had immense difficulty accomplishing anything of import.  Panelists, the question to you is this:  Is this government doomed to fail?  This will be a 15 minute discussion, and we'll begin, as always, with our Lady of the Panel, Mary Abercrombie-Pettingcock.

Let's play Stand Up Canada, Atticus Finch Is Passing By.  Mary.

Mary:  Quite bluntly, Perry, fellow panelists, audience... yes, this government is doomed to fail.  Mr. Clark, while a promising young politician, does not have a majority, and we know all too well how difficult it is for even a seasoned politician to govern without the great political machine willing to back him up.

Gregson:  I am effusively in agreement with Miss Abercrombie-Pettingcock. The only question  remaining in my mind, is... when.

Atticus Finch finishes sorting papers, and crosses, solemnly to the table on the other side of the stage.  All panelists stop their discussion, stand up and, Perry James included, silently pay their respects to Atticus Finch.

By the time Atticus Finch reaches his other table and resumes sorting papers, the panelists and moderator have noticed that the audience - our audience - hasn't stood up.  They don't know how to respond.  They recover somewhat, sit down and continue the debate.

Perry James: That's okay, panelists. That's fine. Please continue.  Pierre?

Pierre:  In this country, as you all no doubt know, three times has the government been felled by a vote of non-confidence.  Arthur Meighen in 1926, Diefenbaker in '63, and most recently, Trudeau just 5 years ago in 1974.  I prophesy that the lovely Mr. Joe Clark is about to join that not-so-illustrious grouping.

Atticus Finch again crosses the stage.  Again, the discussion is suspended as everyone rises to pay respects.  The panelists give the non-rising audience members looks of indignation. Only after Finch has passed to the other table do they voice their displeasure. 

Mary: The manners of a chickadee!!  Do you not see Atticus Finch is passing by!! 

Gregson: This is indeed a counfoundability!

Pierre: Vacuus Ordo!!

Mary: Perry, mayn't you intercede on decency's behalf?

Perry James (clears his throat):  I might just add at this juncture, ladies and gentlemen of the audience, please be mindful and courteous to Atticus Finch.  Thank you.  Panelists, you may continue the discourse.

Mary:  Thank you, Perry.

The panelists sit back down.

Gregson:  Let me be clear.  Joe Clark has pulled off an astounding feat. He's the only person to ever defeat Pierre Trudeau in an federal election.  No small feat, that!

Pierre:  Come, Gregson, you make it sound like a magic trick!  Truth of the matter is, someone was to eventually defeat Mr. Trudeau.  Joe Clark was simply the fortunate person to be in the right place, right time.

Atticus Finch again crosses.  Again the panelists and Perry pay their respects.  Their outrage at the audience is palpable, though, and can barely contain their fury until Atticus Finch has completed his pass. When he reaches the table, the panelists let loose:

Pierre:  What has become of this society?  Has a mob of buffoons infiltrated the studio tonight?

Gregson: A gaggle of poppinstocks would be more accurate. 

Pierre: It's the way this generation has been raised!  A complete lack of moral compass.

Mary: Well I won't stand for it! Stand up, damn you!!  Stand the hell up and pay your God Damned respects to Atticus Finch!!!  Come on!!  Stand!!  I'm not joking around here!!  

Pierre:  The wild native Esquimaux have more sense about them!

Gregson: These young ones!  It's the beginning of the downfall of Canada!

Perry James: Okay, panelists, let us remain dignified and courteous and respectful to the proceedings.  Let us continue with the debate.

The panelists sit.

Pierre: Despicable wretches!

Mary: They better all stand up next time Atticus Finch passes, that's all I'll say.

Gregson:  Would that I had my shotgun!!

Atticus:  Hush!  Hush now!

Panelists are shocked that Atticus has spoken. Atticus walks to centre stage.  The panelists and Perry all begin to rise.  Atticus motions them to sit.

Atticus:  No!  Do not rise for me.  For I am but a man. A man wont for nothing but decency.  And it saddens me deeply to see decency evaporated through the emotional outbursts of the men and lady of the panel.  The self-same people who demand decency from others.  But not just any decency.  It must be "their" decency.

I am reminded of an episode of Beachcombers from last season.  Nick Adonidas became upset when Jesse introduced some new methods for retrieving logs.  See, Nick was set in his ways. He didn't like the way things were changing.  He couldn't see through his stubborn ways to see the benefits of Jesse's methods.  And in the end, it wasn't Nick and Jesse and the Persephone who got the big log.  It was your's truly.

What are the benefits of not standing when Atticus Finch passes by?  I don't know.  But I suspect they far outweigh the negative ramifications of not standing up for decency.

In conclusion, I say reserve your respect for men who have earned it.  Not fictional characters.  But Real Men.  And, yes, Real Ladies too.

So, I say to you all... Stand up, Canada.  Not because Atticus Finch is passing by.  Rather, stand up for decency. Decency.  Decency.

Good night.

Atticus exits.

Sketch22 - Now With Extra Nights

Here's a bit of news for you:

The Confederation Centre of the Arts has decided to give Sketch22 an extra two weekends of late night comedy at The Mack.  New shows added are Friday August 28, and Saturday August 29.  Plus a special Thursday night show on September 3, and the whole season now wraps up neat and tidy on Saturday September 5.

If you haven't seen the show yet, do yourself a favour and come see it.

Sketch22 - Now with Extra Nights!

Sketch22 - Now With Extra Nights

Here's a bit of news for you:

The Confederation Centre of the Arts has decided to give Sketch22 an extra two weekends of late night comedy at The Mack.  New shows added are Friday August 28, and Saturday August 29.  Plus a special Thursday night show on September 3, and the whole season now wraps up neat and tidy on Saturday September 5.

If you haven't seen the show yet, do yourself a favour and come see it.

Sketch22 - Now with Extra Nights!

Sketch22 - Funny Or Die - Gay Divorce Sketch

About two weeks ago, Sketch22's "producer with the Orange Juicer", Jay-Ro (or Ro-J) [hey, I'm trying to make this post topical with a weak OJ Simpson vibe to it] was contacted by THE guy who runs (or A guy who works for) the website Funny Or Die (that's the website that was co-founded by Will Farrell, or something, where people can upload videos and then viewers vote whether the videos are "Funny" or if they "Die") [and THE Guy who contacted us is, like Will's best friend or something] {so really, it's like Sketch22 is now a good friend of Will Farrell - tell your friends!} (this sentence, by the way, will be nominated to the "Most Parentheticals In A Single Sentence" category at the upcoming Grammarian Awards [held this year in Nunavut,NWT].

The guy said he saw some of our online video stuff and really liked it (aw shucks and blush!) and said we should enter a video into a new contest coming up.  Apparently, they're launching a Canadian .ca version of the site and to kick that off, they're having a contest.  Some of this info may be incorrect.

The challenge of the contest is this:  Videos are to be 2 minutes or shorter, and each video must contain, in some way, the phrase "Pierre Trudeau said there'd be days like this".  Anyway, we submitted a video, even though we only had about a week to

come up with an idea, shoot and edit it (there, that's our excuse if

you end up not liking the video).

You can see our submission here:  Sketch22's Funny Or Die "Gay Divorce Sketch"

We'd love it if you watched it and voted it "Funny".  If you happen to not care for our video, and if your morals allow you to do so, we'd love it if you still voted it "Funny".  The very future of Sketch22 depends on your voting that video "Funny".  Nay, the very future of humanity hinges on you - yes, you, sitting there at your office computer, or at home, or in some coffee shop, living your boring, dull life - voting this video as "Funny".

Sketch22 - Funny Or Die - Gay Divorce Sketch

About two weeks ago, Sketch22's "producer with the Orange Juicer", Jay-Ro (or Ro-J) [hey, I'm trying to make this post topical with a weak OJ Simpson vibe to it] was contacted by THE guy who runs (or A guy who works for) the website Funny Or Die (that's the website that was co-founded by Will Farrell, or something, where people can upload videos and then viewers vote whether the videos are "Funny" or if they "Die") [and THE Guy who contacted us is, like Will's best friend or something] {so really, it's like Sketch22 is now a good friend of Will Farrell - tell your friends!} (this sentence, by the way, will be nominated to the "Most Parentheticals In A Single Sentence" category at the upcoming Grammarian Awards [held this year in Nunavut,NWT].

The guy said he saw some of our online video stuff and really liked it (aw shucks and blush!) and said we should enter a video into a new contest coming up.  Apparently, they're launching a Canadian .ca version of the site and to kick that off, they're having a contest.  Some of this info may be incorrect.

The challenge of the contest is this:  Videos are to be 2 minutes or shorter, and each video must contain, in some way, the phrase "Pierre Trudeau said there'd be days like this".  Anyway, we submitted a video, even though we only had about a week to

come up with an idea, shoot and edit it (there, that's our excuse if

you end up not liking the video).

You can see our submission here:  Sketch22's Funny Or Die "Gay Divorce Sketch"

We'd love it if you watched it and voted it "Funny".  If you happen to not care for our video, and if your morals allow you to do so, we'd love it if you still voted it "Funny".  The very future of Sketch22 depends on your voting that video "Funny".  Nay, the very future of humanity hinges on you - yes, you, sitting there at your office computer, or at home, or in some coffee shop, living your boring, dull life - voting this video as "Funny".

Vote For Your Least Un-Favourite!!

22 Second Video Challenge Submissions Now Online!

7/8/2007

Entries to the 22 Second Video Challenge can now be viewed on the Sketch22 Media page. Just scroll to the bottom to see the submissions. They are: "Two Of Us" by Sherri Smith "NotE-Snuff" by Adam Perry "The Belly Button" by Eric Grimstead and Simon Wright "Nature Nut" by Sherri Smith They are all very different, wacky, and weird. In other words, any of them would be perfect to screen before a Sketch22 show. But only one video can have that glory! To cast your vote on which one you think should be screened before Sketch-22 this summer, go to the Contact Us page and use the form at the top of the page to send us your pick. Just enter the name of the video in the comments field. Voting is limited to one vote per person and will close at midnight on Thursday, July 12. The video that receives the most votes will be screened at Sketch22 on Friday, July 13. Get voting people!

Technorati Tags: Sketch22, video, contest

Vote For Your Least Un-Favourite!!

22 Second Video Challenge Submissions Now Online!

7/8/2007

Entries to the 22 Second Video Challenge can now be viewed on the Sketch22 Media page. Just scroll to the bottom to see the submissions. They are: "Two Of Us" by Sherri Smith "NotE-Snuff" by Adam Perry "The Belly Button" by Eric Grimstead and Simon Wright "Nature Nut" by Sherri Smith They are all very different, wacky, and weird. In other words, any of them would be perfect to screen before a Sketch22 show. But only one video can have that glory! To cast your vote on which one you think should be screened before Sketch-22 this summer, go to the Contact Us page and use the form at the top of the page to send us your pick. Just enter the name of the video in the comments field. Voting is limited to one vote per person and will close at midnight on Thursday, July 12. The video that receives the most votes will be screened at Sketch22 on Friday, July 13. Get voting people!

Technorati Tags: Sketch22, video, contest

Dressed In Naked

We were shooting some Sketch22 video this past weekend, and while I don't want to give away too much, I will say that the 2 or 3 year-old niece of one of my co-workers happened to see some of it going down.  She saw Graham in the city, running from point A to point B, sans clothes.  "Look Mommie, there's a man dressed in naked."  When my co-worker, a fan of Sketch22, heard about the comment, she immediately knew it had to be someone from Sketch.


Technorati Tags: Sketch22

Dressed In Naked

We were shooting some Sketch22 video this past weekend, and while I don't want to give away too much, I will say that the 2 or 3 year-old niece of one of my co-workers happened to see some of it going down.  She saw Graham in the city, running from point A to point B, sans clothes.  "Look Mommie, there's a man dressed in naked."  When my co-worker, a fan of Sketch22, heard about the comment, she immediately knew it had to be someone from Sketch.


Technorati Tags: Sketch22

Sketch22 Update

Today marks one month before Sketch22 Season 4 opens for the summer at The Guild.  Thursdays and Fridays, starting July 5. 
Tickets, I believe, will be more expensive this year.  It will now cost you 20 of your hard-earned dollars to see our show.  We really hated putting the price up, but other things around us (theatre rental, theatre services, equipment rental for instance) have been going up for the past three years and we really couldn't remain at the $15 tag anymore.  So, that will be the price for coming to see a show that gives you non-stop entertainment, a boat-load of big laughs and the satisfaction of knowing that you've seen the funniest show on Prince Edward Island this summer.  20 bucks.
Last night at rehearsal, we decided upon our running order.  That's always an interesting community event.  It went pretty smoothly and I dare say we have an ass-kicking lineup of sketches and videos for you to see and experience.  Once again, as in every year past, we have 22 sketches planned.  We're expecting this show to run just under 2 hours (a goal we've tried to achieve, but failed on, every season past).  Our mantra for all the sketches this year is "Crispy Crunch", which means keep them as short and snappy as possible.  Keep it all moving, baby!
We've been busy over the past few weekends shooting for our videos, and still have about three days of shooting still to go.  And then the editing.  Yikes.
All our stage sketches are pretty much written, and are now being tweaked as we go in rehearsal.

We're pretty confident that the show is going to be as funny and enjoyable and outrageous as in past years, and just like in past years, the sketches will be varied and totally different from each other and will keep you wondering what in the hell could possibly come next.

The countdown is on.  Hope to see you there!


Technorati Tags: Sketch22

Sketch22 Update

Today marks one month before Sketch22 Season 4 opens for the summer at The Guild.  Thursdays and Fridays, starting July 5. 
Tickets, I believe, will be more expensive this year.  It will now cost you 20 of your hard-earned dollars to see our show.  We really hated putting the price up, but other things around us (theatre rental, theatre services, equipment rental for instance) have been going up for the past three years and we really couldn't remain at the $15 tag anymore.  So, that will be the price for coming to see a show that gives you non-stop entertainment, a boat-load of big laughs and the satisfaction of knowing that you've seen the funniest show on Prince Edward Island this summer.  20 bucks.
Last night at rehearsal, we decided upon our running order.  That's always an interesting community event.  It went pretty smoothly and I dare say we have an ass-kicking lineup of sketches and videos for you to see and experience.  Once again, as in every year past, we have 22 sketches planned.  We're expecting this show to run just under 2 hours (a goal we've tried to achieve, but failed on, every season past).  Our mantra for all the sketches this year is "Crispy Crunch", which means keep them as short and snappy as possible.  Keep it all moving, baby!
We've been busy over the past few weekends shooting for our videos, and still have about three days of shooting still to go.  And then the editing.  Yikes.
All our stage sketches are pretty much written, and are now being tweaked as we go in rehearsal.

We're pretty confident that the show is going to be as funny and enjoyable and outrageous as in past years, and just like in past years, the sketches will be varied and totally different from each other and will keep you wondering what in the hell could possibly come next.

The countdown is on.  Hope to see you there!


Technorati Tags: Sketch22

First Annual Sketch 22 22 Second Video Challenge

Sketch-22 is hosting the first annual 22 Second Video Challenge. To enter, all you have to do is shoot a twenty-two second video. Twenty-two seconds! A monkey could do that! One of the types that smokes and rides bicycles anyway. So what should your video be about? Anything goes! The more outrageous the better. Email your video to 22secondvideo@sketch22.ca. Just make sure it is twenty-two seconds in length and no more than 9 MB in size (320 X 240 pixels, Quicktime file format preferable). Or mail your video to: Sketch-22, 294 Richmond St., Apt. 7 Charlottetown, PE C1A 1J9. Submission deadline is Friday, June 22. The top ten entries will be posted in the media section on this website, where visitors will vote for the winner. Enough, tell me about the fabulous prizes! The winner will have his or her video screened this summer during Sketch-22's theatre show, plus receive two complimentary tickets to a performance. Who needs an Oscar!

Technorati Tags: Sketch22

First Annual Sketch 22 22 Second Video Challenge

Sketch-22 is hosting the first annual 22 Second Video Challenge. To enter, all you have to do is shoot a twenty-two second video. Twenty-two seconds! A monkey could do that! One of the types that smokes and rides bicycles anyway. So what should your video be about? Anything goes! The more outrageous the better. Email your video to 22secondvideo@sketch22.ca. Just make sure it is twenty-two seconds in length and no more than 9 MB in size (320 X 240 pixels, Quicktime file format preferable). Or mail your video to: Sketch-22, 294 Richmond St., Apt. 7 Charlottetown, PE C1A 1J9. Submission deadline is Friday, June 22. The top ten entries will be posted in the media section on this website, where visitors will vote for the winner. Enough, tell me about the fabulous prizes! The winner will have his or her video screened this summer during Sketch-22's theatre show, plus receive two complimentary tickets to a performance. Who needs an Oscar!

Technorati Tags: Sketch22

Sketch 22 Sketch

We've been writing and writing and writing sketches for the upcoming season of Sketch22.  Today was the day where we culled some of the less popular sketches from our "big pile of new sketches" and gave approval to those that we think are "show worthy".  After going through them all, we discovered we were left with 22 sketches that we gave thumbs up to.

That's cool.  I'm not sure how long many of the sketches will end up being, but it's pretty safe to say that we won't be able to put all 22 sketches into the show.  So, now comes the more difficult part of the year where we have to start nixing some of the sketches that we like.  It's like murdering babies.


Technorati Tags: Sketch22

Sketch 22 Sketch

We've been writing and writing and writing sketches for the upcoming season of Sketch22.  Today was the day where we culled some of the less popular sketches from our "big pile of new sketches" and gave approval to those that we think are "show worthy".  After going through them all, we discovered we were left with 22 sketches that we gave thumbs up to.

That's cool.  I'm not sure how long many of the sketches will end up being, but it's pretty safe to say that we won't be able to put all 22 sketches into the show.  So, now comes the more difficult part of the year where we have to start nixing some of the sketches that we like.  It's like murdering babies.


Technorati Tags: Sketch22

Sketch22 Season 4 - 154 or 161 Days away!!!

Not exactly sure when Season 4 of Sketch22 will begin.  Maybe we should start the last Thurs/Fri of June this year, rather than our traditional first Thursday of July?

Either way, I just started writing my very first sketch for the new season.  It's a video concept and hopefully will make it into the show.  Graham would play an impoverished street urchin child named Umbazzo Unwollyo.  That's all I'm gonna say on that.


Technorati Tags: Sketch22

Sketch22 Season 4 - 154 or 161 Days away!!!

Not exactly sure when Season 4 of Sketch22 will begin.  Maybe we should start the last Thurs/Fri of June this year, rather than our traditional first Thursday of July?

Either way, I just started writing my very first sketch for the new season.  It's a video concept and hopefully will make it into the show.  Graham would play an impoverished street urchin child named Umbazzo Unwollyo.  That's all I'm gonna say on that.


Technorati Tags: Sketch22

Sketch22 Wins Some Kind Of Award (Kind Of)

Details are fuzzy on my part, mostly because I wasn't involved in the whole project.  But here's what I believe the story is (anyone feel free to correct any errors of fact):
Last summer (like, last last summer, not the summer just previous) LoJo asked some of the gang from Sketch22 if they'd be willing to help out in making a video to help (this is where it gets fuzzy for me) promote the local Chamber of Commerce.  Some of the gang did it.  Not sure why I wasn't involved.  I probably declined outright, as I am wont to do when people ask me to be involved in endeavours (I am trying to alleviate myself of this tendency on my part.  So if you have a project you want me to be involved in, now is the time to ask.  I promise I won't decline outright), but some of the group (the rest of the group?) did something.  I haven't seen it, but I understand it was hella good and the local Chamber liked it.  Am I right in that?
Anyway, the local Chamber sent it off to the Chamber's Grand Wizard Conference (fuzzy on details) in BigTown, Canada, where it was to be contested against other communities Chamber promotions videos.  Well, turns out it won the People's Choice award, and the "official" judges gave it 3rd place - Bronze Medal, baby.  And get this:  They paid us two-hundred thousand dollars! (fuzzy)  And get this:  That's exactly how much money we need to get the farm and the fishin' outta hock!

And while I am depressed that I wasn't involved, and depressed that I usually say "no" outright to such projects, and can't really take any of the credit, I can still begrudgingly toss out some mad props to the rest of the people involved.

So, good work, Sketchers et al.


Technorati Tags: Sketch22, Chamber of Commerce

Sketch22 Wins Some Kind Of Award (Kind Of)

Details are fuzzy on my part, mostly because I wasn't involved in the whole project.  But here's what I believe the story is (anyone feel free to correct any errors of fact):
Last summer (like, last last summer, not the summer just previous) LoJo asked some of the gang from Sketch22 if they'd be willing to help out in making a video to help (this is where it gets fuzzy for me) promote the local Chamber of Commerce.  Some of the gang did it.  Not sure why I wasn't involved.  I probably declined outright, as I am wont to do when people ask me to be involved in endeavours (I am trying to alleviate myself of this tendency on my part.  So if you have a project you want me to be involved in, now is the time to ask.  I promise I won't decline outright), but some of the group (the rest of the group?) did something.  I haven't seen it, but I understand it was hella good and the local Chamber liked it.  Am I right in that?
Anyway, the local Chamber sent it off to the Chamber's Grand Wizard Conference (fuzzy on details) in BigTown, Canada, where it was to be contested against other communities Chamber promotions videos.  Well, turns out it won the People's Choice award, and the "official" judges gave it 3rd place - Bronze Medal, baby.  And get this:  They paid us two-hundred thousand dollars! (fuzzy)  And get this:  That's exactly how much money we need to get the farm and the fishin' outta hock!

And while I am depressed that I wasn't involved, and depressed that I usually say "no" outright to such projects, and can't really take any of the credit, I can still begrudgingly toss out some mad props to the rest of the people involved.

So, good work, Sketchers et al.


Technorati Tags: Sketch22, Chamber of Commerce