Students create television show
The completely student-run production will premiere this Friday.
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
The premiere screening of KU students’ independent sketch comedy television show, “Mildly Off the Wall,” will debut at the Granada this Friday.
The show, which senior producer and director Scott Winer describes as something between Saturday Night Live and the “Superbad” genre of movies, is completely student-run including writing, directing, producing, filming and acting. The only paid professionals who helped with the show viewed the first episode as consultants.
“Part of the appeal of doing it is the idea that there wasn’t anything quite like it around here for students,” Winer, Atlanta senior, said. “It’s an opportunity where different types of students with all different backgrounds — theater, art and design, film, journalism — can work together to do one thing. Our one thing is comedy, one of the most difficult things imaginable.”
Filming for the 30-minute show began in May, but the preparation took much longer. Winer came up with the idea for the show and began recruiting in January. As an active sports journalist for KUJH, Winer relied heavily on the interest of friends who were involved in theater and film and tried to mix groups that weren’t usually paired together. Winer said he hoped this show would broaden the horizon for other students and improve arts and entertainment in Lawrence.
“The hope in a college environment is that you want to have as many different opportunities for people to try something that’s never been done before,” Winer said. “A lot of times you don’t always know what you’re capable of unless you give it a shot. Trying something new, such as the actors working off a script but still giving them freedom, allows for exploration that without it, something would be missing.”
What: “Mildly Off the Wall”
Where: Granada
When: Doors open 7 p.m., show begins 8 p.m.
Cost: $1
All ages
Winer said he didn’t think a production like this would be possible anywhere else in Kansas. He said he was surprised at the support he received from local businesses and professors, who all wanted the endeavor to succeed.
Winer said he was thankful the Granada allowed him to use the space for free. He realized with the limited resources and budget he had that it would be difficult not only to make the show anywhere else in the state, but also to generate the support necessary for success.
Brian Ervin, Overland Park senior and comedy show actor, attributed the support of local businesses and KU film for aiding the professionalism of the show. He said that along with the help they were receiving locally, the students were conducting this show in a proficient manner.
“I think for the level that we’re working with as far as equipment and spaces its being run really professionally,” Ervin said. “ I think the product mirrors that. It really comes off pretty polished; it looks like it could have come from TV.”
Sean Hall, Leavenworth junior and director of photography, said part of the professionalism came from everyone working together. Hall confessed that at the beginning of production he harbored doubts about the quality of the show and was uncertain about how the final product would turn out. But once they started shooting, a sense of pride took over. Hall said they started working harder, gained more confidence in the show’s potential and ended up with a successful first episode.
What interested Hall in the comedy show was the idea that because it was student-produced he could bring his own materials to the table.
“I was able to lend a hand at writing,” Hall said. “I could do lighting design and even directed one of the sketches. It’s a collaborative effort, just a bunch of people with funny ideas. That creates a good atmosphere.”
Hall said the project allowed students to experience many aspects of the show production.
Heather Hill, Scott City non-traditional student, said she was drawn to the project because of the comedy. As a stand up comic, Hill was interested in trying her hand at both acting and writing. She hoped this project would encourage other students to go out and try to accomplish something that they didn’t think was possible.
“It’s a positive influence in the community,” Hill said. “This is a bunch of slap tick kids who have managed to organize and create something. It gives people out there hope to do it.”
Hall said he was surprised the show had reached the level it had and felt lucky for what the group had accomplished. He said there was definitely an opportunity for more episodes in the future.
— Edited by Deepa Sampat
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