click on to enlarge Erick Doxey picture Spokane Comedy Movie Fest founder Josiah Carlson.
For Josiah Carlson, the founding father of the Spokane Comedy Movie Competition, it is at all times about greater than the laughs. After a profitable inaugural 12 months in 2022 and with the occasion’s second displaying occurring this weekend, Carlson is already wanting ahead to the years to come back. We lately caught up with him to debate the competition’s second 12 months, memorable moments and what the long run holds for the now-annual occasion. (Responses have been edited for size and readability.)
INLANDER: How did the thought for a comedy movie competition come about?
CARLSON: I come from a background in animation and video manufacturing. After I was a child I made animated comedy shorts. I actually cherished comedy and making folks chuckle, so I began messing round by creating these humorous little movies. After I began doing stand-up comedy, I used to be stunned that there weren’t many individuals getting collectively and filming skits and whatnot among the many stand-up group in Spokane. It appeared like an ideal alternative to create a yearly occasion for folks to do precisely that.
How did the competition’s inaugural 12 months go? What was the final reception?
Very properly! The capability of our venue [the Garland Theater] was roughly 450, and we ended up with a head rely of 280, which was an enormous aid. As for the reception of it, we heard nothing however good issues from viewers members and members. By the top of final 12 months’s occasion, there was no query as as to if or not we might be again for 12 months two.
What makes this 12 months totally different from final 12 months’s occasion?
Properly, for starters, we have gotten much more submissions than we obtained final 12 months. I believe as a result of all the things occurred so shortly final 12 months, a whole lot of comedians ended up submitting work that they’d “on the shelf.” This 12 months we had extra folks creating issues particularly for the competition, which is nice to see.
What number of submissions did you obtain this 12 months compared to final?
Oh, this 12 months I might say we obtained a bit north of 40 movies submitted to us, whereas final 12 months we in all probability had round 30. I noticed a ton of recent names but in addition acknowledged some return submissions. It was good to see that uptick in submissions, it exhibits me that the group is rising.
Most memorable submission but?
I must say our winner from final 12 months — a claymation movie by Ron Ford. My jaw dropped once I obtained it in, you possibly can inform that a lot work went into it. It is completely the one to beat.
What are you most enthusiastic about seeing at this 12 months’s competition?
I am excited to truly sit within the viewers and watch the movies together with everybody else. It is fascinating to see what hits and what would not in relation to comedy. Everybody has totally different tastes, so it is enjoyable to see what the viewers’s reactions can be like from movie to movie. I am additionally excited to see some particular shorts this 12 months that have been created within the new [Central] Library’s media studios as a result of that sharing of assets actually places an emphasis on how the group comes collectively to assist one another out.
Describe the Comedy Movie Competition in a single brief phrase.
A flavor-blast of Spokane. That is precisely what it looks like. Spokane has its personal vibe and its personal particular vitality. I consider that this movie competition emphasizes that extraordinarily properly.
What does the way forward for the competition appear to be?
I will provide you with a tease of subsequent 12 months: It is gonna be our third 12 months, and since I am a complete dork, each ticket goes to come back with 3-D glasses. Just like the shitty, old-school crimson and blue ones. We’re gonna incorporate these into the screenings for positive. Like, “Glasses on! Now glasses off!” It ought to be hilarious. Oh, and subsequent 12 months, I need to have trophies product of a bronze stool with a whoopie cushion on prime for the members. A bit of one thing to pose with.
What do you hope the competition accomplishes in the long term?
The objective is to extend the overall variety of comedy initiatives generated domestically. Anybody can pull out their telephone and report a humorous video, however I try to offer folks a purpose to create one thing that they are pleased with and share it with the remainder of the group. ♦
Spokane Comedy Movie Competition • Fri, Feb. 24 from 7-10 pm • $10 • Garland Theater • 924 W. Garland Ave. • spokanecomedyfilmfestival.com