A note about the production:
Oh! Be Joyful! was created to be a
television pilot (that is - the first part of a series) and, at the same time, a "stand alone" short, with it's own beginning middle and end.
It was written for the actors who play the leading roles -
Jonathan Roumie, Baz Snider, Tyler Evans and Timmy Cassese. A years
worth of rewriting, character work, back story improv exercises and
rehearsals led up to an intensive 2 1/2 week shoot on an insanely
small budget with no crew (I shot it and "handled" the sound &
lighting. And, aside from the occasional good Samaritan, Jonathan Roumie did the rest.)
We attempted to create an open atmosphere for the performers to
present a subtle humor, marinated in reality and free of artificial
"colors" and "flavors". Where other comedies might have their humor
enter the party bombastically through the front door, hitting, quite literally,
the host in the head, we wanted to build a place where the humor
enters catlike through the window and glides onto the sofa without
being discovered. In short, our comedy is not
"delivered" but is, rather, "ready for pick up".
We were lucky to have all original music provided by the immensely
talented Matt Schwatzer.
It has been accepted in numerous festivals as a short film and as a
television pilot.
Four other full episodes have been written.
The team is ready to get back to work.
-Peter Rinaldi, NYC
