THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2008
NEWS 3A
FILM
Alumnus's online sketch comedy show is'off the wall'
BY BRANDY ENTSMINGER
bentsminger@kansan.com
The original cast of "Mildly Off the Wall" will have a chance in the spotlight tonight at The Granada. From left, Sean Hall, Heather Hill, Ryan Hultgren, Brian Ervin, Dave Harvey and Rowdy Wirchman are members of creator Scott Winer's team.
Contributed by Scott A. Winer
"Mildly Off the Wall" an online sketch comedy show featuring students from the University, is looking for cast and crew for its first season of episodes.
The pilot for the show was filmed last semester and will be shown as part of "A Night of Comedy" at 8 tonight at The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. The event will also feature stand-up comics.
Scott Winer, 2008 alumnus,
serves as executive producer for the
show, which can be viewed on
the "Mildly Off the Wall" Web site.
http://www.mildlyofthewall.com.
He said he found inspiration for the format from programs such as "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock." Inspiration for the content comes from the writers' and his experiences in Lawrence.
Winer said one example was that he found himself homeless this summer because he decided to stay in town and continue working on the show after the lease on his apartment ended.
"You've got to have a sense of humor about that kind of stuff," Winer said.
The elections are another source for the show's comedy. Winer said people who took them too seriously were missing out.
"It's almost like the political system is getting the last laugh," Winer said.
The show gives students the opportunity to experience many aspects of production, even if they don't have much experience. Winer said the producers would like to have enough cast and crew so everyone could focus on one specific job. In the pilot episode, cast members served in a variety of roles.
Rowdy Wichman, Ellis junior, produced, wrote and acted for the pilot but will serve as supervising producer for the first season.
Winer said his lifelong ambition had been to direct live network sports but that he also had a passion for music and comedy.
"When you really love two different things that don't mix at all it's tough." Winer said.
Last January, Winer started circulating his idea for "Mildly Off the Wall" and was able to find people who were interested in working on the show.
Planning and writing for the pilot episode took place in March and April, and the show premiered in June.
Wichman said getting started was the most challenging part of the production because it was sometimes difficult for people to understand where they wanted the show to go.
Kris Beckland, lead producer, began working on the show about three weeks ago. He said he originally wanted to do political humor, but Winer directed him to use
things he was familiar with in his comedy.
Only one of the three producers for the show is a student. Winer said it was important to have non-student leaders because of the huge time commitment it involved.
The group meets for two hours twice a week, but the time commitment could increase once production begins. Wichman said. He said they sometimes filmed through the night when working on the pilot.
The pilot was produced on a budget of less than $200. Winer said it was accomplished through favors and the support of various organizations and businesses.
KU Filmworks and the KUTV Television Production Club provided "Mildly Off the Wall" with cameras and sound and lighting equipment.
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the show's Web site
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Edited by Kelsey Hayes
Securing equipment for filming this season will depend on demand and scheduling. Winer said they may look for a rental company in the Kansas City area if they are unable to borrow the necessary equipment.
Individual sketches from the pilot episode can be found online at Web sites such as YouTube. Beckland said they hoped to get "Mildly Off the Wall" on local TV
Winer earned a degree in geography from the University. He said geography and directing were similar in that they involved a visual, spatial way of thinking.
stations in the future.
People interested in working on "Mildly Off the Wall" can apply on
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