News:

06.10.09.
The PROJECT SERIES continues
Writing is almost complete and casting begun for the 4th installment of the Project Series.  Project:2012 will be a multimedia look at the countdown to December 21, 2012.  This date marks the end to a major cycle of the Mayan calendar and Mayan prophesy foretells of a global "reset" taking place.  Other predictions, faiths and scientific data build a strong case for the significance of the year 2012.  The performance will be running for 6 nights - November 12-14 & 19-21, 2009 at the Tipper Restaurant & Review Room.
Watch the Project : 2012 Trailer


For Tickets: http://monicamustelier.com/theprojectseries/tix.html

04.10.09
Contest Winner!
BuildDirect.com ran an on-line contest called 'How we do what we do?' and our entry "The Evolution of the Supply Chain" was the top selection.  Written & Directed by Rod Hicks, this video takes a rather primative approach to removing the middle men.  The short featured Dan Payne (Alice I Think, Watchmen, Mulligans), myself and Rod Hicks as the cavemen.

02.10.09
Vancouver Short Film Festival
the short film "God Squad" was accepted into the VSFF competition and will be screened along with the 9 other selections.  Written by colleagues Monica Mustelier and Karin Inghammer, this film addresses the newly implemented tactics of today's Jehovah's Witness.  I have a small role in the film as well so keep your eyes peeled.

01.10.09
Alongside Brent Butt
I've booked a small role in the upcoming comedy series "Hiccups" produced by and co-starring Brent Butt of Corner Gas fame.   I'll keep you posted as to when it will air (2010).

20.09.09
Vancouver Fringe Festival
After a 6 night engagement  "The First Time" was hailed a huge success.  This 4 person show (Sarah Szlaboda, Phil Prajoux, Brianna Weins & Brian Calvert) exposed the good, the bad and the messy of the human sexual experience.  
PLANK MAGAZINE REVIEW
http://www.plankmagazine.com/review/first-time-hey-you-remember-your-first-time-dont-you

11.09.09
Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
The short film "Masculine Mystique" that I was a production assistant on (written & directed by Aaron Craven) was screened at Toronto's Cabbagetown Short Film Festival.  It's a well known shorts festival and has screened works from the likes of Bruce Macdonald and Sarah Polley in the past.


20.07.09
Truck Killer!!
The VILLAGEiDiOTs stopped moving quite suddenly when the truck I was driving struck a mini-van that took an ill-advised left turn in front of us.  After a successful day driving through the Rockies we were only minutes from our day 1 destination.  Thankfully, no injuries were sustained but the truck's feelings were hurt.
PICTURES
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=8257475&id=814235709#/album.php?aid=281332&id=527530704

19.07.09
Homeward Bound
The VILLAGEiDiOTs are moving.  Well, a part of them is.  We'll be driving Mark and his possessions, back to Ontario on Sunday.  The trip will consist of several hours of girl-like giggling and a special tour of the Big Rock Brewery in Calgary.  Have no fear, Vi will continue to create top selling works...  I meant bottom dwelling works.

06.07.09
TV Host
I teamed up with NOVUS TV to produce a segment called "2010-101".  I host the show where we present info on the venues and interview Olympic athletes.  The first segment is an interview with men's figure skating hopeful Jeremy Ten from Vancouver.  Further segments are in the works so stay tuned. 
NOVUS TV - Vancouver owned and operated continues to build a Fibre Optic Cable network throughout Metro Vancouver to offer superior Internet, Television and Digital Phone services.

15.06.09
Big Rock Gives Top Honors in Vancouver

Vi was awarded 2 more gold Eddies for the regional awards on Monday night. Both the video and print ads were recognized as tops among all BC entries. Thanks again to Big Rock and all our supporters.

01.06.09
BIG ROCK VICTORY!!!

Big Rock Beer of Calgary, Alta. held its 16th annual beer commercial contest at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.  Over 1,800 competitors, beer fans and notables like Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach attended arguably Calgary's biggest social event of the year.   With over 100 entries in both the video and print ad categories your VILLAGEiDiOT team took home TOP prize ($10,000) in the video category for "Man Scouts" as well as a 3rd prize ($500) for the print ad "A Badge of Honor". The competition was stiff and our expectations exceeded. The winning video and print ad are posted for your viewing pleasure.

Calgary Herald (June 2, 2009)

Calgary Sun (June 2, 2009)

01.04.09
Big Rock BEER

The Alberta beer company runs a contest each year for drinkers to produce potential video and print ads for the Big Rock brand.  Village Idiot submitted a video and print ad for the 2009 Eddies.

20.03.09
The POPE

Many of you can probably recall the radio personality "The Champ".  It became famous with repeated blows to the "solar plexus".   Now Bro Jake Edwards, creator of "The Champ", is the morning show DJ at Rock 101 FM in Vancouver.  Since January ChurchofJerks.com has been recording the "Friday Weekly Update Report Review of News" piece presented weekly during the Bro Jake morning show.   I've recently did voices for Terry the RCMP Taser Tester and Pope Benedict.  Check 'em out. 

16.03.09
RainCity Film Noir Contest - TOP 10

I was producer, co-writer and actor in our latest  competitive film project. It had to be written, shot, edited and submitted in 72hr.   Our film "Nobody's Sweetheart" was selected one of the TOP 10 entries.  The producers of the competition are currently working on compiling and commercializing a DVD featuring all of the Top 10 entries.

Film noir - (made famous in the 1940's & 50's) is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style that has roots in German Expressionist cinematography, while many of the prototypical stories and much of the attitude of classic noir derive from the hardboiled school of crime fiction that emerged in the United States during the Depression

19.03.09
Canada's Top Plus-sized Model

Our 24-hr film "Not So Bad" which won Best Writing & a Top 5 selection featured Brittney Fisher beat out 4000 entries to become Canada's Top Plus Size Model.  A trained actress, Brittney played an extremely aggressive girlfriend who broke a puppy's neck and tried to drown her boyfriend in "Not So Bad".   As the winner, she gets a one year modeling contract, $2,500 from Reitman's Fashion Group and a feature in "LOULOU for YOU" the group's magazine. WATCH (link that takes you to the video page and the film)
(http://www.stylehog.com/blog/and-the-winner-iscanadas-plus-size-model-search/)

28.02.09
MUSIC VIDEO

Local up and coming band, SCATTERHEART (www.scatterheart.ca) asked if I would shoot a music video for their song "more than a man" from their debut album - THE MASTERPLAN.  So, myself and Patrick attended shows at The Penthouse and The Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver to capture live footage.   The edited version is now together.  Check it out.
LINK

14.02.09
Project:LOVE2

The second Project Series show ran for 3 nights at The Tipper Restaurant & Review Room.   Both Friday and Saturday nights were SOLD OUT.   In addition to co-producing the show, I played a pivotal role as a 50-something bar tender whose outlook on life changes for the better after facing his demons.  The Project Series team has already started work on the next show - Project:HOME scheduled for a 6 night run starting on April 30, 2009. 

07.02.09
VILLAGE iDiOT - Artists-in-Residence

Vi was invited to display their picture project works at The Tipper Restaurant & Review Room.  Each month this establishment hosts an artist-in-residence.  All the Vi works were enlarged & framed for the event.   This is the first  (but not last) formal showing for the Idiots.

08.02.09
Lube anyone?

I booked a commercial gig involving LUBE.  The national Mr. Lube ad cast me as a slimy salesman willing to sell cars to children.   I don't know when it is supposed to run or if they will retain my scene so keep your eyes peeled and let me know if you see it.   The commercial was a family affair since my brother works for the production company that filmed the commercial.  Check out a few of the set pics on Facebook. Mr. Lube commerical pics

01-01-09 - The newest of years

It's about time 2009.  Special thanks to CNN who covered the anticlimactic mess in Times Square.  Wow, that ball dropping thing is like a walking through an art gallery with a sedated Dopey Smurf.  Yawn...

I'd like to share some of my resolutions for the new year.  I'm going to reduce my coffee consumption (switching to Red Bull & vodka), go to the gym more (Lululemon bums = Kryptonite), make more time to read books (that don't have pop-up or scratch 'n sniff components) and attempt to bring you more ridiculous,  homoerotic, and crafty (offensive) content.

Best of wishes to all who bother to read this.   I'll rub some shinny stones together and bring you good luck. 
 
25-12-08 - Christmas Anyone?

The holiday season proved to be a busy time for me.  Village Idiot released both a picture (http://www.villageidiot.ca/s.html) and a seasonal video (http://www.villageidiot.ca/sv.html) capturing the friendship between Jesus and Santa.  Additionally, ChurchofJerks.com presented Christmas from the Devil's perspective.  "How the Devil Spent Christmas" exposes the troubles making Christmas plans when your best friend is the Devil. (http://www.churchofjerks.com/video/beelzebuddy.shtml)

01-12-08 - Project : LOVE a success!

The first of many collaborative Project Series productions wrapped up on Saturday night to a SOLD OUT crowd and standing ovation.  The incredible feedback has prompted another run of Project: LOVE over Valentine's weekend in February 2009 with new material. 

16-11-08 - LIVE SHOWS COMING

I have joined forces with a talented group of actors under the direction of Monica Mustelier to take part in the PROJECT SERIES: LOVE edition.   It will have an initial 3-night run Nov 27, 28, 29th at the Tipper Performance Space in Vancouver.   I'm excited to be bringing a character to life - live.


13-11-08 What the hell is going on here?

What happens when Seth becomes best friends with the Devil?   BEELZEBUDDY Episode #2 "The Sin of Seth" uploaded today.  

01-11-08 - Brian's had a baby?

In the Nov/Dec issue of Mompreneur Magazine is the first national publication of my creative juice converted.  Specific for this publication (whose readers are all entrepreneur mothers), "All-Star Baby" is an infant who has the dexterity and intelligence of a tech-savy teenager.  The young boy helps Mummsy with various tasks so she can keep the work/life balance most Mompreneurs are striving for.  All-Star Baby assistance frees up more time for him while the rest of the family sees mom as the all-star.  

25.10.08 - A creepy departure.

Mark and I had a unique opportunity to gain access to the  underground section of the new Skytrain tunnel under downtown Vancouver. This is one of the infrastructure projects required as the host City of the 2010 Winter Olympics.  It seemed logical that we would try our hand at making a horror with such a dreary location at our disposal.  CLICK HERE TO WATCH.

01.10.08- The Tickles are HERE!!

VILLAGE iDiOT has recently sent out their second newsletter 'i Think We Did a No. 2'.  For those of you who still aren't gettin' the goodness, let us know and be added to the ever-popular mailing list!

The latest & greatest in kids entertainment is finally upon us!  Stay tuned for the full video, to be released soon!

Prepare to be Tickled silly...

25.08.08 - "Not So Bad" upgrade

Due to a late disqualification, our film "Not So Bad" was boosted to the Top 5 for the Diesel 24-hr Film Racing 2008 competition.  This short also won Best Writing beating out the other Top 10 entries and 30 entries in all.  To watch  - CLICK HERE TO VIEW

21.08.08 - Gigidy, gigidy!

Brian booked his first gig as Parent#1 on the TV show "Psych".  The show is normally aired on the USA Network in the States but owned by NBC.  The  episode (Season 3, episode 10) should be aired in December.  Don't blink or you might miss my line, "Hey, those are the same two I saw cut in line!"  Additionally, this episode was directed by John Landis (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000484/) who has an impressive resume that includes,"Blues Brothers", "Animal House", Michael Jackson's "Thriller", "Three Amigos" and "Beverly Hills Cop III". 

28.07.08- POURING IN!

The two groups that I have been working closely with (VILLAGEiDiOT & TidanHeights Productions) have both crested the 200th member mark on their respective Facebook groups.  Way to go me (and everyone else involved I suppose).

23.07.08- VICTORY!

The 24-hr Diesel Film Racing contest award ceremony was last night and our entry 'Not So Bad' won 'BEST WRITING' after being selected as one of the TOP 10 entries (25 total).  Congrats to myself and my writing partner Patrick Gilmore who scripted the creation.

27.06.08- THE FULL MONTY!

The Vancouver Province (newspaper), recently ran a contest to re-create a Monty Python sketch for a grand-prize of 2 tickets to opening night of 'Spamalot' on July 3, in Vancouver.  Mark & I (VILLAGEiDiOT) performed Monty Python’s, 'Wink, wink, nudge...' and took home the prize.

24.05.08- READY TO LAUNCH!

VILLAGEiDiOT officially launches its website (www.VILLAGEiDiOT.ca) and kicks it off with a gathering at downtown pub.  Pictures posted on the Facebook group.

16.05.08- YES PLEASE!

Another of my collaborations (Green Team) successfully completed a submission for the National Screening Institute - Totally Television contest.  Our comedy/drama pitch is entitled “Shades of Green”.  The story takes place in the backdrop of a start-up environmental consultancy and the life & career challenges of our main character Ethan.

Tagline:   Ethan would love to save the world but babysitting a boss who thinks he is a super-hero makes it tricky.