news, show listings, contests, ticket give-aways and slander about Nashville's comedy community
Craig Smith & Friends Comedy Show
The stand-up and stories of Craig Smith plus Chad Riden, Ryan Williams, Rob “Hotsauce” Haynes.
9pm Friday, February 22, 2013
Springwater; 115 27th Ave N.; Nashville, TN 37203
NASHVILLE ANIMATOR WINS THREE TV DEVELOPMENT DEALS FROM THE NEW YORK TELEVISION FESTIVAL
NEW YORK, NY – The New York Television Festival was held September 19-24, 2011. Nashville animator Mike Salva left the festival with three development deals for his comedic animation work, more than any other artist received at the festival this year.
The New York Television Festival provides unprecedented access for emerging television artists looking to showcase new and innovative ideas for television programming.
Bing “Decisions” Project
NYTVF teamed up with Microsoft’s Bing search engine and Ben Silverman’s Electus studio to develop a new show created by a member of the NYTVF community. Mike Salva’s cartoon “Death Row Diet” won this competition, receiving a $25,000 development deal.
“Death Row Diet” stars Jonathan Katz (best known for Comedy Central’s “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist”) and Tom Leopold (who wrote episodes for “Seinfeld”, “Cheers”, “Will & Grace”, others) about a man who is on death row and Weight Watchers.
MTV’s “Voice and Vision” Awards
MTV offered two development deals at the television festival for comedic animation submissions. The awards, each valued at $5,000, were to be presented to an outstanding comedic writer (“Voice”) and animator (“Vision”). Although the awards could have been given to separate entrants, NYTVF gave both awards to Mike Salva for his “Pound Dogs” cartoon.
“Pound Dogs” was a 100% Nashville-based production, with Nashville standup comedians Ryan Williams and Sean Parrott in the lead roles. Williams and Parrott play comedic cartoon dogs that live in an animal shelter. The cast also includes Andy Merrill (Brak from Adult Swim’s “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”; “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”), Samantha Newark (best known as Jem & Jerrica on the 80s animated series “Jem”) and Nashville filmmaker/singer/producer Steve Taylor.
More information about the New York Television Festival can be found at www.nytvf.com. More information about Salva’s animation work can be found at www.projectmeatball.com. Find Ryan Williams online at MyBlisteringHell.com and Sean Parrott can be reached on Facebook.
In March we told you about POUND DOGS, the new cartoon from award-winning Nashville-based animator Mike Salva, which features Nashville comics Sean Parrott and Ryan Williams in addition to Atlanta’s Andy Merrill (who played Brak on Space Ghost, and Oglethorpe on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and some other Adult Swim shows).
Clay animated characters are the stars of this comedy about two dogs in an animal shelter. Blue Dog is showing Yellow Dog the ropes, when they find out that Blue Dog is going to be put to sleep if he is not adopted by the end of the day.
Last time we checked in, Mike had set up a Kickstarter project to raise funding for the production of the new film. Well, we have good news.. and then even better news:
The good news: The Kickstarter project was successful and production of the film was finished a few weeks ago. Here’s the trailer:
The even better news: “Pound Dogs” has been selected as a finalist in this year’s NY Television Festival pilot competition. The cartoon will be competing against a handful of other cartoons for two cable network development deals, one for the cartoon, and one in the writing category. This is fantastic news for this 100% Nashville production. Congratulations to all involved!
For more info about “Pound Dogs” or Mike Salva, visit the Project Meatball website, or check out the Pound Dogs imdb.com page.
Award-winning Nashville animator Mike Salva is taking his latest film POUND DOGS to the people. His animated comedy — about two dogs talking about eating cat poo and waiting for adoption at an animal shelter — is now a Kickstarter Project seeking funding. Here’s the pitch video:
Kickstarter (launched in 2009) is an exciting online pledge system that allows for funding of creative projects ranging from independent films to music to inventions. Salva is looking to raise at least $2500 to pay for the audio on POUND DOGS, which will be a 10 minute animated short to be completed by the end of this Summer.
After working in more traditional hand drawn 2D animation, Salva is experimenting with a new technique by making his canine cartoon characters out of clay and then baking them in the oven. He says it’s the first cartoon he’s made “in his kitchen.” By supporting this production, donors will be helping to fund the recording and sound editing for the film. The voice performers will include Nashville comedians Ryan Williams and Sean Parrott, as well as singer Samantha Newark (who played Jem & Jerrica on the animated “Jem” series), filmmaker/music producer/songwriter/ singer Steve Taylor, and Andy Merrill (who has voiced several well-known characters on TV’s Adult Swim).
People contributing to the project will have a unique opportunity to support an independent filmmaker. To encourage donations, Salva is offering some fun incentives including a barking dog ringtone (performed by Williams & Parrott, who play the dogs in the film), a chance to have your pet thanked in the credits, a DVD copy of the finished film, and a 15-minute Skype Session with Samantha Newark for those contributing at the $200 level.
For a mere $125, though, you can receive an Associate Producer credit on the film and be listed on IMDb! Will this impress your friends? Indeed it will!
Previously, Salva has made MAX THE HERO, which screened at many international film festivals and won several awards. The cartoon features “Mystery Science Theater 3000’s” Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett. He also made DEATH ROW DIET, which stars Jonathan Katz (from TV’s “Dr. Katz”) and Tom Leopold.
Salva is available for interviews to discuss the film and the Kickstarter project, and about the creativity needed not only to make a film these days but also to find ways to fund it.
The Kickstarter project is at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/projectmeatball/help-out-the-pound-dogs (or: http://kck.st/dJCUzq )
More information on Salva and his work is available at www.projectmeatball.com.
The weekend is fast approaching. Time to make plans to get out to a funny ha-ha show!
Don “D.C.” Curry
Thurs. Oct. 15 – Sat. Oct. 17, 2009 @ Zanies. $18.
“Whether he’s on tour playing huge theatres or doing special engagements at intimate clubs, whether he’s co-starring in major studio pictures or the leading man in an indie gem, whether he’s providing on-air radio talent or working as a voice-over artist, DC Curry is a very versatile, funny man. A prolific stand-up comedian, DC continually headlines top concert venues and major comedy clubs across the country. Not only a performer, DC also produces many of his own projects. His versatility and trademark comedy shtick keeps him constantly working.”
Zanies; 2025 8th Ave. S; Nashville, TN 37204 | 615-269-0221
TV Dinner Theater
7pm Fri. Oct. 16, 2009 @ 12th and Porter. $5.
This event will showcase the best Nashville has to offer with a blend of standup, sketch, and improv comedy mixed with music. Artists appearing include: TV Dinner Theater sketch comedy troupe, Music City Improv, Christy Eidson, Mark Anundson, Ryan Williams, Gary Dull, the Dead Dead, and many more!
(The Facebook event is here.)
12th and Porter | 114 12th Ave N; Nashville, TN 37203 | 615-254-7236
Dane Cook
8pm Sat. Oct. 17, 2009 @ The Sommet Center. $30 – $100.
If you ever wanted to experience Dane Cook in an intimate setting with a few thousand of his fans, this is the show for you! If you’ve got $30-$100, Ticketmaster has you covered.
The Sommet Center | 501 Broadway; Nashville, TN 37203
BT Kingsley
7:30pm Sun. Oct. 18, 2009 @ Zanies. $12.
“With subject matter ranging from the events of the day to pop culture to dating and relationships, no one else has a point of view quite like BT Kingsley. Attacking the mic with veteran confidence and gracing any and all stages with fresh, crowd-pleasing material and his own quick-witted style, BT Kingsley is one of today’s funniest and hard-working, young comedians working his way back and forth across the country. An instant favorite with audiences, club owners and promoters, his clean cut style makes him a comedian you will be tempted to take home to mom, or even grand mom-just make sure she has her oxygen tank handy!”
Zanies; 2025 8th Ave. S; Nashville, TN 37204 | 615-269-0221