When it comes to making people laugh, being funny is only one piece of the puzzle for the members of Something Else, the Ball State University sketch comedy group. But the sarcasm that radiates from the club members doesn't mask the hard work and dedication that goes into every aspect of each sketch.
The student-run group recently made it into the top 16 semifinal in Rooftop Comedy's 3rd Annual National College Funny Filmmaker Competition, and while many of the club's members are telecommunications majors, everyone is welcome to join the group, executive producer Kristin Gibler said.
"New people to the group are usually eager to explore and learn," Gibler said. "We offer that with a side of friendship as well. For the ones that stay with the group, they'll see that we sort of turn into a big family. We poke fun at one another and sometimes kick each other when Mom or Dad isn't looking, but love each other in the end."
A senior telecommunications major, Gibler's job as executive producer, along with the rest of the officers, is to oversee everything that makes Something Else what it is.
During the 10-day production process, members are required to pitch story ideas for which they have started writing scripts. Head writers and officers then read over the completed scripts. Following the read through, the officers vote on whether or not the script will continue to become that week's production. A director and producer are chosen, and together they select a location, decide on a meeting time and recruit other members to help with that weekend's filming. From there the tape is edited and prepared to be released on YouTube and the Something Else Web site, somethingelsetv.com.
"We highly encourage all our members to make and create. Even if their script isn't picked for production, they are more than welcome to do it themselves and we'll post it on our blog," Gibler said. "We encourage members to get in there and just start doing. I think trial and error are the best tools of learning."
The Something Else crew also shoots one or two short films each semester and has a radio show, headed by associate producer Joe Ferguson, that airs on Mondays at 10 p.m. on 91.3 WCRD.
"I don't find anything in SE overly hard, only because it's just such a fun environment to work and be involved in, that when things do get tough it is more bearable," Gibler said. "Everyone in the group works hard, yet is able to maintain a fun-loving attitude while doing so. So when things get really out of hand, we just laugh about it for a while, recompose ourselves and then get to work."
Co-head writer Adam Lord said Something Else helped him broaden his horizons when it came to film.
Associate producer Elliott San said at Something Else learning happens too.
"I learned aspects of production from Something Else before I was taught them in my classes," he said.
Something Else airs a new episode every Wednesday. Along with the new episodes from Season 6, the Web site also features episodes from the five previous seasons.
Gibler said her favorite sketch to work on so far is called "Old McDonald's Farm," which was filmed during Season 4.
"It's a parody trailer of slasher films like ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,'" Gibler said. "I enjoyed it because we shot on location at a farm at night and did a lot of cool makeup, lighting and camera work. It's a prime example of everyone working well together, having a fun time and ending up with a very good sketch."
The most important aspect of Something Else is to create quality material.
"From development and pre-pro[duction] all the way to the final color timing and audio effects, we're basically just trying to put out a good product for others to enjoy," Gibler said. "Oh and laugh, just a little."
What is Something Else?
Something Else originally was a half-hour show. Now, the group produces sketch comedy for the Web. Members also produce a weekly radio show/podcast on WCRD and iTunes, produce short films, write and compose music and keep an online blog.
Featured sketches from Season 6:
"Amnesia Knock Out"
"A Real Magic Show"
"The Performance"
"Pokémon Fight Club"
"Food Network: Cannibal Week"
"The Perfect Suicide Note"
"Chase Launder's Slate Reel"
"Choose Your Own Adventure"
"Backyard Wrestling"
"Arthur Buckingham"
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