INTERNAL CORPORATE COMEDY

In my 13 years as a filmmaker I’ve developed a very particular set of skills. For a very particular type of video. Videos that until now, I’ve only offered to a single organisation. But that’s all about to change.

In a nutshell: I make internal comedy videos for organisations. It’s a niche I’ve made my own, and it comes in many different flavours.

Maybe you need an ice breaker to open a conference or a meeting. Or show your appreciation for support staff. Or perhaps you just want to add a little bit of colour to an all-staff  announcement. Or maybe you’d like to celebrate slash humble a newly promoted partner.

I know what you’re thinking: why would my organisation actually need something like this? What is the actual value here?

One word: culture.  

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If you’re reading this, you’re aware that on some level, organisational culture matters. And I’m not here to explain why organisational culture matters. But what we can talk about, is why these videos will help strengthen the culture in your organisation.

Let’s look at two examples:

For one such organisation, they have a tradition of having all the offices in Australia coming together every two years for a firmwide retreat. And at this retreat, they have specialised talent shows for both the support staff and the new associates. This tradition has been running for more than a decade, and the result is that both groups are not only recognised in a fun, very public way… they also experience increased camaraderie and stronger bonds by working together to create high production value, funny videos. They not only participate in the wider organisation’s culture, but they also have a chance to express their own sub-culture through a platform that recognises their authentic voice and experiences – that’s the beauty of in-jokes.

Another example is the Partner Promotion Videos - another tradition that’s been running for more than a decade. Every time somebody is promoted to partner, they have a video made about them. And the goal here isn’t just to take cheap shots at them in the style of a roast. Nor a sycophantic tribute. This is something that captures the essence of that partner. It’s designed to show the throughline of their career and explore what is the secret ingredient that makes them stand apart from everybody else that works there. And this is done through not only shooting interviews with their co-workers and family, but by constructing a cinematic narrative that I woven throughout the video – and usually involves somebody in the office playing that partner. The benefits of a video like this are many: it’s not just a lasting gift and expression of affectionate appreciation for that partner. Because this is a video that’s screened for the entire office, it has the benefit of humanising a powerful member of the organisation and showing everybody else that there is a clear path to this success, something that is invaluable for organisational culture.

So why am I the guy to do this? What exactly do I bring to the table?

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I know comedy.

I’ve made comedy. A lot of it. Hell, in another life, I even performed comedy at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. But most importantly, I’ve been making comedic short films and web series for over a decade. On top of the many, many festival accolades and laurels, I’ve watched these films with audiences. I’ve seen and heard their laughter. So, at this point in my career, I can flat out tell you: I know how to make a crowd laugh. And yes: that includes your crowd.

Funny is not a one-size-fits-all situation.

Every organisation has its own sense of humour because every culture has its own sense of humour. And to do something like this well, you need somebody who can read the room. Or to put it another way: think of me like a comedy tailor. I’m here to make sure it fits. And the way that a tailor will take the time to measure you over multiple fittings, it’s my job to take the time to write something that fits your organisation.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never performed before, I’ve got you.

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Maybe you really like the sound of these videos, but you hate the thought of being in one. Maybe you’re thinking “I’m not funny. I’m not a performer.” Maybe you’re the type of person who sees a camera and runs the other way. You wouldn’t be the first. But it’s going to be okay. Because it turns out that acting isn’t what everybody thinks it is. And if you’ve ever had a conversation with a human being before, chances are, you already know how to act. And with my experience directing seasoned performers and first timers, I’ve taken the shyest, most risk adverse members of staff and worked with them to create genuinely funny moments on camera. And I can do the same for you.

In my time making these videos, I’ve seen the way it transforms people. The way laughter can bring a group of people together, no matter how large, no matter how stressed. A company that can laugh together, will be all the stronger for it.

And now, for the first time since I’ve started this, I’m opening this up to other organisations. So why not you?

If this is something that strikes a chord with you, why don’t you click the link below for a no pressure, no hassle consultation?