Two dudes. One loves zombies. The other loves to meticulously plan. Together, they embark on a college journey that reshapes the history of comedy.
Or something like that. Members of Theatre Strike Force have been working on a TV sitcom titled “Oppie’s Friend, Gene” for months now. ‘Oppiesode’ 1 aired two weeks ago to much success, and the second episode, “Wirelessness,” will air tomorrow on the UF campus channel (8).
It will soon show up on the “Oppie’s Friend, Gene” Web site. So check it out.
I originally started out as Locations Manager for the show, where I would get permission for us to shoot at places such as The Hippodrome, Café Gardens, Tailgate Beverages and Library West.
My role soon expanded to music direction. I am the Music Supervisor, and I collaborate with the music producer, director and director of photography about how to best use music to set up a scene and accent comedic lines. It’s also my job to work with musicians and vocalists.
When I started working on this project, I knew that improvisation would find its way into the musical aspect of “Oppie.” Some amazingly talented musicians and singers have already contributed to the show, and most of them have an improv background (many are from Gainesville’s musical improv troupe AM Radio) . It isn’t uncommon for us to sit down together, get a feel or a suggestion for the scene, and then just come up with a variety of songs on the fly.
It’s liberating. It’s an amazingly cool experience. One second, we’ll have nothing. Silence. The next, the band’s cranking out a song that sounds like it could be featured on the radio.
We usually find inspiration from other popular or classic songs. I have a challenge: Watch Episode 2 when it comes out and figure out what songs inspired us.
EDIT 10/3 – You can now watch Episode 2: Wirelessness. When the Internet goes out all over campus, Oppie and Gene have to go 80′s in order to make friends and pass classes.
Oppie’s Friend, Gene: Episode 2 – Wirelessless from Oppie’s Friend, Gene on Vimeo.
Also, you can listen to a song we created for Oppiesode 2. It’s for Gene’s 80′s Montage!
