Stories
News, project launches and thoughts from our team.
GOOD AS GOLD
50th anniversary documentary launch for McMaster University
McMaster University’s Medical School is a world-renowned hub for ground-breaking research and cutting-edge education techniques. They are also our long-time partners.
Because we have worked together so often over the years, we’re familiar with the kinds of stories they want to tell and we’re comfortable with the messages they try to convey. There’s a mutual trust there, built over countless hours of working together.
So when McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences approached us to put together a project commemorating the 50th anniversary of their medical school, we had to deliver a product worthy of a golden anniversary.
Mixing engaging interviews of past and current leaders with fantastic archival footage, we crafted a short documentary that told the story of McMaster’s School of Medicine, from humble beginnings to their bright future.
All that hard work really paid off. The result is a personal account of the medical school’s story, from the people who brought it to life and keep it thriving today.
Take a look at our short film below, which premiered at their 50th Anniversary Gala last week.
Happy anniversary, McMaster! We can’t wait to see what our next collaboration will bring!
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We Brought Home the Gold!
DOUBLE BARREL WINS TWO DAVEY AWARDS FOR SPCA CAMPAIGN VIDEO
It’s a tail as old as time: a great idea deserved a good home and after a few laughs, an award-winning match was made.
What started as an idea for a comedy sketch (“How about we show people speed dating, but with cats?”) became an online hit (10,000 views on launch day) and won two Davey Awards, in part because funny got paired with the right client and cause.
Let me back up and re-introduce you to some funny ladies I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Diana Frances (The Hour, The Debaters) and Jennifer Goodhue (Baroness Von Sketch Show, This Hour has 22 Minutes, Comedy Inc.) of F & Good Comedy have been strategic comedy partners of Double Barrel for almost three years. While collaborating on original comedy content, we’ve lightened up some pretty heavy issues and had a great time doing it. But none have brought home so many awards.
L-R: Zakk DiSabatino, Clayton Burns, Diana Frances (F & Good), Roz Mugford, Natalia Hanson (HBSPCA), Jennifer Goodhue (F & Good)
When we approached the Hamilton Burlington SPCA with the idea, not only were they excited about our vision, but it was a perfect fit to promote their Meet Your Match pet program. Starring animals Spike, Knuckles, Magoo, Sephora and Odin, in SPCA: Cat Speed Dating we had some laughs at the very real awkwardness of speed dating, while educating on HBSPCA’s valuable pet matchmaking process.
We are so proud of this piece and are excited that the Davey Awards have recognized Double Barrel and SPCA: Cat Speed Dating with a gold award in the category of Online Film/Video and a silver in Online Film/Video – Comedy. It’s a privilege to be able to celebrate this award with the team at the HBSCPA and to use our funny business to support the great work they do in our community.
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And Then a Funny Thing Happened…
HAMILTON, April 21, 2015 – What has six legs, ten pieces of emotional baggage and will make you laugh uncontrollably? Award-winning women Diana Frances (The Hour, The Debaters) and Jennifer Goodhue (This Hour has 22 Minutes, Comedy Inc.) of F & Good Comedy have partnered with Roz Mugford and Double Barrel Studios to create an exclusive branded comedy production dream team.
It’s one thing to want to make funny, but it’s another thing entirely to successfully make ‘em laugh. Luckily, the ladies of F & Good have the comedy chops to back up their ambitious plans. Diana Frances and Jennifer Goodhue have both worked for The Second City, written for The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos, Comedy Inc. and This Hour Has 22 Minutes and have won multiple Canadian Comedy Awards. Roz Mugford, a former digital video producer for CBC’s The Debaters, and her production company Double Barrel Studios most recently worked with Frances to bring humour to breastfeeding outreach, in a way that resonated with female viewers.
“There are some topics that only a woman can write and make funny. When Roz and I worked together for Hamilton Public Health, there was that synergy that comes from working with someone who brings out the best stuff in you. Part of that is because of our longtime friendship and part of it is because, as women, you know where the other person is coming from,” says Frances.
Goodhue agrees, “That’s what’s great about Double Barrel. Their style fits perfectly with what we’re doing – they know how to produce comedy.”
Double Barrel partner Lee Hillman is excited about the company’s expansion into the branded comedy genre. “We’ve built up a fantastic client base over the years with our work in the healthcare, education and business niches. It’s really exciting to be able to develop custom comedy content for a whole new market.”
This unique trio plans to work exclusively on customized branded comedy and digital content. Serving what some may see as a ‘niche’ market, Mugford believes that the growing attention to comediennes will only increase as marketers realize the potential in female-driven comedy.
“Women are the decision makers and are the most underserved by comedy. Writing with the female perspective is not only a unique voice but also one that rings true with those carrying the purse,” says Mugford. “Who better than women, to talk to women?”
With women controlling 85% of consumer spending, and a growing demand for modern female-driven narratives, this is an audience worth making laugh.
Are you a brand looking to talk funny to women age 25-54? Get in touch, roz@doublebarrelstudios.com.
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