Stories
News, project launches and thoughts from our team.
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.
Post Tags
PROJECT LAUNCH: Hamilton Code Clubs
Hamilton Code Clubs is a trail-blazing program that sees industry mentors introduce local youth to simple software computer programming, through a blend of interactive and hands-on training. The ultimate goal is to teach students to develop a love for the subject and begin integrating code into the classroom in a fun and engaging manner.
For many students, this introduction can open up career pathways and 21st-century learning skills.
With the tech industry in Canada expanding at a breakneck pace, Hamilton Code Clubs represents a critical link between the classroom and the real world, with mentors working to spark an interest in our youth and develop our next generation tech workforce.
At Double Barrel, we know the importance of a solid education in digital literacy for our youth. That’s why in 2015, we worked to create the #HamOnt Forever Digital Literacy fund, a Hamilton Community Foundation administered fund that will distribute grants over the next 15 years for digital literacy initiatives in the Hamilton area.
This year, we are proud to continue that legacy by providing an amazing organization like the Hamilton Code Club with this recruitment video free-of-charge, to inspire the tech community to continue to grow and help ensure that kids are realizing the amazing career opportunities around coding at a young age.
If you’re in the software industry and keen to help out, you’re in luck! They’re in need of volunteers! If you’re interested in volunteering for Hamilton Code Clubs, contact experience@iechamilton.ca
Post Tags
PROJECT LAUNCH: T.E.A.D. – The Equestrian Association for the Disabled
Recently Double Barrel Studios contributed our services to The Equestrian Association for the Disabled or T.E.A.D., an organization focused on enhancing the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through equestrian therapy.
T.E.A.D. was interested in producing a video that would convey the importance of T.E.A.D. and highlight the massive team of dedicated volunteers that help to keep this program running. This is a cause that we feel very passionate about and over the years the members of their team have become great friends of ours, so when they approached us we immediately got to work.
Our approach was to produce a vignette style video that would show the amazing things that T.E.A.D. does for disabled youth. During our time with T.E.A.D. our dedication to the project only grew as we learned how important this program is to the individuals and families involved. It takes over 200 volunteers per year to keep things moving, and to care for the specially trained horses that can remain gentle and calm in unpredictable environments.
After spending time at the farm, speaking with some of the riders and their families and the incredible team that run the organization, we couldn’t be happier to be launching this piece & we hope that it raises awareness to the cause.
If you’re interested in getting involved with T.E.A.D. you can give them a call at 905-679-8323 ext. 222 or visit their website at www.tead.on.ca
