Hey, Thanks

A couple days ago my web show, Squaresville won a few IAWTV Awards (Best Comedy Writing, Best Ensemble, and Best Comedy), and I didn’t thank a fraction of the people who deserved it. So indulge me in acknowledging (and probably accidentally forgetting) many of the people who are responsible for making Squaresville possible.

Our Cast:
It’s one thing to find great actors, hire them, shoot the show with them, and then say “good bye” and see them around town sometimes. That is one very hard thing… and it’s fraction of what the Squaresville team has been doing for literally, years. They helped fundraise to make the show possible, they shoot Q and Hey videos and live chats year round, they are regularly available for reshoots, ADR, and probably an extra kidney if I asked. They’re tweeting, Facebooking and tumblring in support of the show constantly. It’s a year round thing for them, just like it is for me. So thanks, Mary Kate, for your endless devotion and enthusiasm, Kylie for your commitment and craft, Austin for your amazing ability to turn whatever nonsense I feed you off camera into something that sounds like a human, Tiffany for your sass and sense of humor, David RS for your sweetness and sincerity, David G for your fastidious appreciation of athletic wear, Chrissie for your willingness to mix melodrama and outlandish action in a single day (spoiler alert), and the rest of the cast for jumping in swinging, and joining the lunacy of our gang. You all make and shape the characters with me, and it’s magic to watch what you do with the people in my brain. You’ve always been the “Best Ensemble” in my heart, well before they etched it on a plaque.

Our Crew:
It’s an amazing gift to have friends like these. That we all get to make something together is just icing. I’ve known most of the creative team since I was practically Zelda and Esther’s age, and it practically feels that way for newer additions to the group. You can’t make our show without the sort of history and short hand we all have together, and it’s been a joy, and an awesome excuse to bring everyone together. So thanks to Bobby for his discerning, tasteful eye that keeps me on track when I want to go to crazy town, to Joe for working around my many, many mistakes, to Kevin for understanding when we shoot next to a marching band, football game, tailgating parties and 50,000 screaming fans all day (literally), Bea for your devotion, resourcefulness and Matthew Perry stories, Jasmine for calling me out when I want to indulge in weird side characters that distract from our main story, Ellie for doing the impossible and unreasonable basically every day, Philippe for so immediately understanding what the show needs to feel like and giving it it’s pulse, Chrissie for wearing too many hats so elegantly, Amanda for gladly being the bad guy, even when I’m trying to do your job for you, David for sequestering me from behind the scenes catastrophes, Monica for setting a visual tone and style that has carried us through two seasons beautifully, Bethany for
your versatility whether we’re working on weird monsters, bald caps, or just making the girls look pretty, Marie for letting me steal your life, and Thu for bringing style and fashion to everyone on set (in front of and behind the camera), Nick for letting me stuff into too many weird costumes for any given shoot, Kondrath, for your amazing ability to fill any role we need, Bar-Gadda for your amazing resourcefulness and sense of fun, Michael Ebert for the best attitude I think I’ve ever been around, and Bobby Woo and Erin for your attention to detail, experience, and craftsmanship.
We’re all so busy, if I have to make a web series so that we all have
time to hang out together as a group, that’s fine with me.

Big Frame:
For believing in and supporting an untested, scripted, angsty, weird web series from the beginning. This is the sort of support and guidance a director dreams of. Rachel, Megan, Sarah, Grant, AJ, Cher, Mike, Brendon and Steve, you guys work tirelessly in support of a new medium, you’re blazing trails, and you’re an inspiration. Thank you for your advice, support, guidance and understanding as we make this show together.

My Family:
It’s hard to explain what a web series is to people (even today), so explaining to my parents that the internet is the future, that this is the medium for me, and that “no, there isn’t much money in it yet”
takes incredibly faithful, understanding, supportive parents and siblings (Jeff and Jenny) like mine. When it would have been reasonable to just work in a mailroom and climb the latter, my parents (and Chrissie’s parent’s for that matter) understood that I’m a person that had to make something my own way, that the web was where I belonged, and that it was going to mean many hard years of growth and struggle to get to where I want to be. They never batted an eye, and I am eternally grateful.

David Tochterman: the man with the plan.
David, you believed in the show before anyone had seen it, you found it a home, and you were instrumental in giving it an extended life. You’re always in my corner, and I’m very glad and grateful that you fight the hard fights in my name.

The Squaresville Community
Your encouragement and dedication has been instrumental in keeping usgoing, letting us know what works and what doesn’t, and frankly, in getting the show a second season. Every piece of fan art, music, gif, photo, fan fic, comment, like, and share has literally been the difference between getting to make the second season, and not. Thank you for loving this show the way we love you.

The Web Series Community
I’ve been around the web series world for a long while now. I’ve made great friends and collaborators in a way I’d always hoped. The support, enthusiasm, and interest that people show one another in this community is unparalleled in the arts (in my experience). This is a group that understands that a rising tide lifts all boats, and you inspire me to be as supportive to you all as you have been to Squaresville.

Brian Rodda, you’re a goof, a colleague, a loose canon and a snappy dresser. Without your insight, Squaresville would not be anywhere. Thanks.

My Friends
Whether you’re being understanding when I don’t go out with you, meet you for breakfast, or just hang out, or you’re reading scripts, liking my self indulgent facebook updates, or just cheering the show on, my friends have been unfalteringly supportive. Thanks to Emily, Todd, Seth, Marcello and Carrie especially. Making a web show and being a good friend aren’t mutually exclusive, but sometimes I make it seem so. Thanks for sticking by me anyway.

And you thought I loved run-ons before. So hey, thanks guys. Stay Square.