Friday, October 10, 2008
“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.
The original cast of "Mildly Off the Wall" will have a chance in the spotlight tonight at The Granada. From left, Sean Hill, Ryan Hultgren, Brian Ervin, Dave Harvey, and Rowdy Wichman are members of creator Scott Winer's troupe.
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.mildlyoffthewall.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 nonstudent 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.
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.
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.
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 stations in the future.
People interested in working on “Mildly Off the Wall” can apply on the show’s Web site
— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes
Students create television show
The completely student-run production will premiere this Friday.
KUJH-TV cuts entertainment programming
Student strives to be on stage
Shipley, a fan of acting and stand-up comedy for years, discusses her ...
Chicago improv troupe produces KU-focused show
The Second City put on a comedy show inspired by KU culture ...
Freshman’s creation functioning as online show
Matt Baier’s cartoon, “The Adventures of Luke and Joe,” is a comedy ...
Student interns at ‘Daily Show’
Her aspirations of working on a New York comedy show came true ...
Creating a scene
More graduates of the University’s film program are staying in Lawrence, creating ...
SUA offers pizza with free comedy show
Featured comedian Dan Cummins tells the Kansan about the event and his ...
Expect the unexpected from Mencia
Mencia says his jokes stem from reality and what close friends talk ...
Expect the unexpected from Mencia
Mencia says his jokes stem from reality and what close friends talk ...
Q&A: Michael Ian Black
Because we have questions. Celebrities have answers.
Q and A with Ryan Dolan
Student to release feature film
KU student Jeremy Riggs is producing and directing his feature film, based ...
A look into their lens
Only three people produce and record all of the University’s video.
This weekend: Right Between the Ears
Radio sketch comedy show comes to Lawrence
Filmmaker shoots new movie in Lawrence
Blake Robbins chose Lawrence for the setting of his newest feature film, ...
Wanda Sykes cancels homecoming week performance
Comedian Wanda Sykes will not be performing at The University of Kansas ...
Class designs fishing tools to lure anglers
A Shore Phenomenon
What's in the water at Jersey Shore?
Podcast: As Heard From The Hill
Episode three of KJHK's As Heard From The Hill. The weekly radio ...
KU student competes in ‘Jeopardy’
The graduate student's episode will air Sept. 23
French play highlights couples’ troubles
Show written in 1907 relies on timing, physical activity and relevant relationship ...
The Aviator
Cannes winner draws crowd for campus show
Around 60 people attended a campus screening of Jon O'Neal's independent film ...
New complex brings out the ‘whoa-factor’
From 58 TVs to an underground weight room, the football facility promises ...
Movie Magic
How KU Filmworks is helping young filmmakers reach their dreams.
Sex and the City is back
Fans can expect to see all four leading ladies in the upcoming ...
Students create musical recording for national promotion
Musicians and singers at the University recorded the soundtrack to ‘The Girl, ...
Greg Giraldo comes to campus
The Comedy Central InDecision 2008 tour is bringing comedian Greg Giraldo to ...
Creative writing major for 500, Alex
Mark Petterson competed on “Jeopardy!” on Monday where he placed second for ...
Chamber operas in short style
Students produce, perform, compose short operas based on folk tale and other ...
Cinematic achievement
Recording your own movie may sound intimidating but using resources such as ...
Students, residents gather to view “The Day ...
Actor, director and producer answer questions about 25-year-old film, “The Day After”.
Play overwhelms audiences with technology
“Distracted,” KU theatre’s final production of the semester, finishes its run this ...
Rumors are wrong; ‘Jocasta’ clothes stay on
Student to compete in film competition
Senior Joe Carey will be participating in the 7th Annual One Night ...
Trapped in a game
Students who encounter video game addiction could face job loss, poor grades, ...
University Theatre to feature undergraduate plays
Two student productions kick off this weekend in University Theatre’s unique undergraduate ...
Banquet, performance honor 50 years
The departments of theatre and film and music and dance honor the ...
Schumaker: The Twilight Zone needs improvements
Advice on how to help turn the popular Sci-Fi show into a ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Alumnus hopes his online sketch comedy will take off
I have seen this show. It is OK. Nothing groundbreaking. It is similar to SNL in the way that it is hit or miss on comedy. It is interesting to watch since it is local, but only once.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID