Four films created by Ball State University students made it into the top 32 semifinal in Rooftop Comedy's 3rd Annual National College Funny Filmmaker Competition.
Junior telecommunications major Shane Magwire had one video and sketch comedy group "Something Else" had three videos make it into the top 32.
Several hundred students from all over the country submitted short films into the competition, Rooftop Comedy representative Loren Pomerantz said. A panel of judges narrowed the entries down to 32 based on each video's quality of production, originality and comedic wit.
Pomerantz said Ball State has stood out to Rooftop Comedy in the last couple of years. The university is also one of 32 colleges that will participate in their annual stand-up competition in the spring.
"Ball State must have some very funny people," Pomerantz said.
Something Else executive producer Kristin Gibler said making the first cut in the competition helps the group know their strong and weak points.
"It shows we're doing something right," she said. "We can look at the other videos [in the competition] and compare to see what we can improve on."
Magwire's "For the Love of Pudding" video stemmed from a lot of pudding and a friend's obsession with the food. He made the video for a class and decided to submit it to Rooftop Comedy after he got an e-mail about the competition, he said.
Gibler said "Something Else" makes weekly sketches and picked their three best videos from this semester to send in.
"Something may be really funny, but it doesn't look good. Something may look good, but it's not that funny," she said. "We submitted videos with good quality in all variables."
Magwire said he hopes to continue on in the competition, and making the top 32 could already help him with future employers.
"If I Google my name, [Rooftop Comedy] is the first thing that comes up," he said. "Employers] can see some of my work that's been showcased on the Web site."
Magwire added that Ball State contributed to him making it through the first round.
"It's been wonderful because Ball State is just one great school for TCOM," he said. "They especially help with all the technology they provide."
Anyone can vote for their favorite videos on Rooftop Comedy's Web site, Pomerantz said. The top 16 will move on in the competition today after online voting ends at noon.
After online voters determine the top 16, an internal panel of experts will narrow the number of films down to eight, Pomerantz said. The remaining competitors will then submit a new film into the competition.
"The overall winner is based on who's the funniest and most promising filmmaker," she said. "They submit a second video so we can see they're truly funny."
Another round of online voting will narrow the number of films from eight to four, Pomerantz said. The final four will then get an all-expenses paid trip to Aspen, Colo., for the final round in June.
The remaining competitors' videos will be played at the Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival where the audience and online voters can vote to determine the winner.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for filmmakers to get exposure and get recognition for their work," Pomerantz said.
To vote for your favorite video, go to http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/college/
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