I made a video spoofing focus groups

Josh Fokas is the #1 focus group moderator in the world. According to his research.

Here's the real story: A client of the ad agency I work at is having a big meeting to train employees on how to do consumer research, and they thought it would be fun to open with a humourous video about what not to do when running focus groups. There wasn't much of a budget. So my ad agency assigned me the project. I wrote a script, took my camcorder to the office and acted in the video along with some innocent co-workers who got pulled into it. The client thinks the video is hilarious. But I'm secretly hoping that some people don't realize it's a joke and hire me to be a focus group moderator. I think I'd be good at it. And I could sure use some egg salad sandwiches.

I turn down a bath with a swimsuit model to save water

A test pilot for the series My Life Is Garbage (formerly called Ecosexual) that educates about eco issues by harnessing the clean, green power of my pathetic life. Thanks to actresses Camila Mendes and Katie Uhlmann for offsetting my unattractiveness.


SYNOPSIS: Josh's passion for the environment can get him into hot water. Or not, as we see in this episode, where his sexy, Brazilian swimsuit model date takes him home and wants to have a bath with him.

Unbelievably professional review of my film "Terry Cloth"

Just when I thought nothing on the Internet could surprise me anymore (and believe me, I've seen some surprising things), this arrives in my in-box today. It's a review of my short film Terry Cloth by Steven & Jonny of the YouTube show "At The Youvies." To see it, click here or watch below. It seems the review was posted at the end of March, but the makers just left a comment on YouTube today letting me know of their review. Even though I didn't have anything to do with this review, it blew my mind so much that I thought it deserved its own blog post. Watching the review, I felt like I was hallucinating or dreaming, because I couldn't believe all the care these people had put into reviewing a celebrity-free short film they must have randomly come across on YouTube. They clearly invested a huge amount of time and effort doing things like watching various videos on my site so they could comment on my development as a filmmaker, comparing the different characters I played in the film, evaluating the performance of my ex-girlfriend as if she was an established film actor, carefully writing 2 different viewpoints on my film, shooting the review, editing the review, inserting clips from my film... And it was all done with the same care and polish you'd see in an actual episode of television's At The Movies with Siskel & Ebert or whomever is on that show now. And for what? When I watched the review today, it had 58 views since it was posted 6 months ago. And their Twitter page has 2 followers. One of whom is Steven himself. Hopefully their work pays off and gives them whatever level of success and recognition they seek. If for nothing else than the fact that they pronounced my last name correctly.

 And for those of you who, unlike Steven & Jonny, have not seen Terry Cloth, you can see it by clicking here or watching below.

 

Spy Josh - Ep.1: Already Dead

In movies, sometimes people find a video someone made where the person in the video starts off by saying: "If you're watching this, I'm already dead." Well, I've recently begun working as a spy and I've gotten into a situation that's forced me to make my own video like that. Turns out they aren't as easy to make as you'd think. Watch it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tn-ggPERYI or below.

My (painful) Citytv Official Comedy Correspondent Audition

So here's my audition for the Citytv Official Comedy Correspondent Contest. You can view all the entries by clicking here. The rules: Discuss the comedic highlights of at least 2 shows from their new comedy line-up, all in under 60 seconds. I know what you're thinking: "Josh can do no wrong! He's always so hilarious! So this audition will be hilarious, too!" Well, maybe those of you who saw my U.N. Peace Day stand-up act aren't thinking that. But anyway, yes, this is going to be hilarious. But not in a good way. Allow me to explain (i.e. make excuses). I watched on Thursday, October 8, 2009. Normally on Thursdays, The Jay Leno Show would be preceded by the new show Community. Except on this night, for some reason there was a 30 Rock rerun before Jay Leno. But the big stumbling block was that I was dying of a bad cold. I could barely think straight, much less be funny. But the deadline was Friday, October 9 at 11:59 p.m. and so I had no choice but to make the video right then and there. None of my ramblings made much sense. But they made even less sense once I cut out enough words to boil it down to 60 seconds. What was cut out? Well, I talked about how Citytv comedy would make me feel good and thus help heal my cold. I talked about how I was wearing my correspondent fedora, complete with Citytv press pass in the ribbon, and how it's a very hard fedora because it's from the dollar store. I talked about how on this particular night not only did the comedy make me feel good because it was funny, it boosted my self esteem in many ways, which made me feel even better. For instance, seeing that Tina Fey can't get a boyfriend made me feel better about being a loser in the world of love. Then I talked about how in his opening monologue, Jay Leno mentioned a study where 70% of people surveyed said their first sexual experience was positive. So, you see, it all sort of made sense. But in my cold-addled haze, I didn't plan it out to fit properly into the 60 seconds. So I'm counting on you, dear fans... Okay, dear fan... Singular... Assuming there's even just one out there... to go to leave comments at the contest YouTube page and on the contest Facebook page to let Citytv know that normally I'm quite amusing and that they should watch my other videos and give me the prize just for being so generally awesome. Can you do that for me? No? Sigh. Oh well, it was worth a shot.

Celebrity Josh - Ep.7: I find a celeb! Or do I?

After unsuccessfully combing the Toronto International Film Festival for a celebrity, I'm about to give up. When suddenly, I spot paparazzi. I spot a bodyguard. I spot... Could it be?? (For the whole saga from the beginning, visit www.YouTube.com/CelebrityJosh.)

Celebrity Josh - Ep.6: Sexy guestlist girl!

It's hard to get into a nightclub on a regular night. Especially when you look like me. And when it's a celebrity party? Forget it. Unless, of course, you're blessed with the charm and quick-thinking of a natural born Celebrity Hunter. For the entire saga, visit www.YouTube.com/CelebrityJosh.

Celebrity Josh - Ep.5: Yorkville!

For my latest adventure at www.YouTube.com/CelebrityJosh, I learned top-secret info that when in Toronto, celebrities hang out in an area "Yorkville." So I went there and checked out the yellow restaurant called Sassafraz... Then the big rock that people sit on... And then finally decided to ask the public for help. Which isn't cheating. It's called "gathering intelligence."

Celebrity Josh - Ep.4: Working out in the gym!

Celebrities are in great shape. So surely they go to the gym. (This is the kind of razor-sharp deductive reasoning you need in order to be the best Celebrity Hunter.) So I went to a gym, hoping to spot celebrities working out while they were in town for the Toronto International Film Festival. While scoping out the gym, I did my patented Celebrity Hunter Workout®. Consult a physician before embarking on this grueling regimen. To follow the saga from the beginning, visit www.YouTube.com/CelebrityJosh.

Celebrity Josh - Ep.3: Practicing on non-celebrity bikini girl in hot tub!

Normally "Celebrity Hunting" involves just finding celebrities. But for this assignment, I have to talk to a celebrity and get them to try the Orville Redenbacher Select White Popcorn. So, while I was wandering around a hotel searching for celebrities, I decided to talk to a non-celebrity to practice my talking skills. This girl was nice enough to let me practice on her. And it was extra fortuitous, because a girl in a bikini in a hot tub is pretty much as close as you can get to being a celebrity without actually being a celebrity, right?

Celebrity Josh - Ep.2: Disguised as room service!

For my latest adventure at YouTube.com/CelebrityJosh, I decided to infiltrate a hotel. But I still had to come up with a way to get them to come to open their hotel room door and try the Orville Redenbacher Select White popcorn. I also had to figure out which room had a celebrity in it. Fortunately, I had my Celebrity Hunting knowledge to guide me...

Watch my new Celebrity Hunter show!

Didn't know I was a Celebrity Hunter? That's because I didn't have my own show. Until now! Check out the 1st episode of Celebrity Josh: The Celebrity Hunter below or by clicking here. On the show, I announce the big news that Orville Redenbacher is sponsoring me! Well, not really "sponsoring." More like "allowing." But let's not quibble over semantics. The important part is that I'm going to be going around the Toronto International Film Festival trying to find a celebrity so I can get them to try Orville's new Select White Popcorn. Stay tuned to www.YouTube.com/CelebrityJosh for my adventures!

Watch "Beaver Tale 4: Working Out"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BEAVER GETS BUFF TO WIN BACK PORCUPINE
4th episode of beaver puppet series resolves cliffhanger

Toronto, Ontario – March 20, 2009 – Beaver Tale 4: Working Out, the 4th in the award-winning Beaver Tale short film series, launches today at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TKnnwtiq-k. The film takes up where Beaver Tale 3: The Break-Up left off with its cliffhanger ending a week ago. When we last saw Pelt The Beaver, he was living alone in a bachelor apartment and poking himself with sewing needles to remember how it felt to cuddle with Quillette The Porcupine. Will Pelt find a way to win her back? Is she even worth it? These questions and more will be answered.

“We know fans are on the edge of their seats,” says series creator, Josh Rachlis. “Because at the end of BT3, things were pretty prickly between Pelt and Quillette. Get it? Prickly? Because she's a porcu- Oh, you do get it? You're just not laughing because it's not funny? Right, okay.”

Catch up by watching the first Beaver Tale:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQUPwlgDu1s
Then Beaver Tale 2: The Bed & Breakfast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_5rXbvTahE
Then Beaver Tale 3: The Break-Up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmerGh1OnnM

ABOUT THE SERIES: It all began when Pelt The Beaver found a pack of gum in a camper’s backpack in the forest. He realized he could chew this gum instead of trees. So naturally he moved to the city and bought a condo-loft. Films in the series have won “Most Original Idea” at the Leo Burnett Advertising Short Film Festival, “Audience Choice” at the Small Town Film Festival two years in a row and been featured on CBC TV’s show “Exposure.” And released just a week ago, the 3rd Beaver Tale has already received interest in being covered by a prominent film critic and a popular relationship columnist.

For more films by Josh Rachlis, please visit http://www.youtube.com/joshrachlis and for more information, email josh.rachlis(at)gmail dot com

Watch my green music video

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AN INCONVENIENT PROPOSAL
Green guy makes eco hip hop video to win Laurie David’s heart

Toronto, Ontario – March 17, 2009 – It’s sure to be the next Internet sensation, and will maybe even usher in a new era of Canada-U.S. environmental relations: It’s Josh Rachlis, environmentally-conscious Canadian, rapping his heart out in an eco-themed hip hop music video that’s just been posted on YouTube at http://tinyurl.com/ecovid (be sure to select "Watch in HD" under the video).

The song is dedicated to Laurie David, producer of An Inconvenient Truth and ex-wife of Larry David, creator of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. With the goal of winning Laurie’s hand in marriage, Josh rhymes off everything that’s earned him “green street cred,” including not flushing for just, um, Number 1. The video includes scenes of “Enviroman” magically cleaning up the city. There’s also a female back-up singer who looks remarkably (and disturbingly) like Josh.

Josh is just an ordinary person who, like many people today, is concerned about our environment. So everywhere he walks, he picks up litter. He even goes through the trash in subway stations to put paper and bottles in the proper recycling bags. When he heard of stopglobalwarming.org, he was curious as to who started the site. When he found out it was a woman, he developed a green crush. And when he further learned that the woman was married to Larry David, he was really excited. Because Larry’s bald, neurotic and Jewish – just like Josh. So Josh was Laurie’s type! But she was married, so it was all just a dream. But then one day, Josh heard that the Davids were getting a divorce…

Upon hearing of the divorce plans, Josh promptly recorded a marriage proposal for Laurie with his webcam: http://tinyurl.com/marrymelaurie. It was featured on eco-celeb site Ecorazzi - see the write-up here: http://tinyurl.com/ecorazzi - and it was mentioned in the blog of Edge 102.1 FM’s Alan Cross. But alas, Laurie played coy and never contacted Josh, surely because she wanted to ensure he was serious. So now Josh is kicking it up a level with a song. Because girls love songs, right? Especially hip hop songs. Even more especially when the singer is dressed as a superhero. He hopes that Laurie sees the video and that together they can save the world. Or, at the very least, Josh hopes that the song teaches viewers some positive things they can do for the environment. And that way, his love for Laurie will do some good for the Earth no matter what happens with their relationship. But still, his fingers are crossed for a green wedding.

As part of his "oeuvre" of green comedy, Josh has also made a movie in which, at the risk of spoiling what could be a very romantic evening, he attempts to convince his date that compact fluorescent light bulbs are a much better "idea" than regular bulbs. You can view that at http://tinyurl.com/ruthvid.

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Josh Rachlis, please send an email to josh.rachlis(at)gmail dot com. And in addition to the link at the start of this press release, you can also view the video here:

Watch "Beaver Tale 3: The Break-Up"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EVEN BEAVERS HAVE ROMANCE TROUBLES
Beaver puppet series goes to dark place in 3rd episode

Toronto, Ontario – March 7, 2009 – A new installment in the award-winning Beaver Tale short film series launches today at www.youtube.com/joshrachlis. Beaver Tale 3: The Break-Up takes a darker turn than the first two, chronicling romantic troubles between Pelt The Beaver and Quillette The Porcupine.

The movie has been highly-anticipated, as the first Beaver Tale won “Most Original Idea” at the Leo Burnett Advertising Short Film Festival and the “Audience Choice” award at the Small Town Film Festival (STFF) in Chatham, Ontario, while Beaver Tale 2: The Bed & Breakfast won “Audience Choice” at the following year’s STFF. And both Beaver Tales were featured on CBC TV’s show “Exposure.”

In a new twist for the series, BT3 ends with a “To Be Continued” cliffhanger. “As is increasingly common in Hollywood, we shot Beaver Tale 4 simultaneously,” says series creator, Josh Rachlis. “And we promise not to hold it back too long. We know the audience will be chewing at the bit! Get it? Chewing? Normally you'd say chomping at the bit. But I said chewing, because it's a beaver... Ok, never mind.”

For those unfamiliar with the doc-style series, the story began when Pelt The Beaver found a pack of gum in a camper’s backpack in the forest. He realized he could chew this gum instead of trees. So naturally he moved to the city and bought a condo-loft. His adventures have taken him to a career in architecture, to running a bed & breakfast, and now to dealing with the heartbreak of a troubled relationship. All the while, he maintains his sweet, innocent disposition and curiosity about life.

Catch up by watching the first Beaver Tale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQUPwlgDu1s
Then Beaver Tale 2: The Bed & Breakfast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_5rXbvTahE
And here's the link to Beaver Tale 3: The Break-Up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmerGh1OnnM

ABOUT THE CREATORS: Josh is an advertising copywriter, actor, stand-up comedian, filmmaker and radio host in Toronto. Ruth Sorrell, a Ryerson University film graduate now living in Seattle, saw the original Beaver Tale online and liked it so much that she wanted to get involved with subsequent films.

For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Josh Rachlis, send an email to josh.rachlis(at)gmail.com. And in addition to the link in the press release above, you can watch Beaver Tale 3 here:

Watch Episode 3 of Joshditions

I auditioned for an African-American part. Yes, I may look at first glance like a pale Jewish fellow, but there are some things about me that you may not know…

Check it out by clicking here or clicking below:

Watch Episode 2 of Joshditions

I auditioned for the role of a doctor in a pain reliever commercial. But the girl auditioning for the role of the patient wanted me to relieve more than just her pain…

Check it out by clicking here or clicking below:

Watch Episode 1 of Joshditions

I'm an actor out there trying to make it in the tough world of, um, acting. So I thought I would promote my acting skills by posting the auditions I've been doing. After all, it's such a waste of brilliant acting if only the casting director gets to see it!

Here's what the first audition is about:

My friend Lindsay Ames is an actress who moved to LA from Toronto and is doing quite well. She inspired me to come to LA too and start auditioning. Fortunately, Lindsay posted one of her auditions where they wanted her to get topless for a coffee commercial. You can see it by clicking here.

That’s not how the auditions usually work in Toronto, so I was lucky to learn how things work in LA so I could give them what they want…

Check it out by clicking here or clicking below:

Check out my comedy video where I try to sell new "Coke Smooth" on eBay

Here's the description that goes with the video: "Josh has been having trouble selling his amazing goods on his eBay page. So he thought maybe videos would help to show how great his stuff is. In his second video, he's selling 'Coke Smooth,' a new kind of Coke without bubbles, which you haven't seen in stores because it's really rare and you can only get it from Josh. So please buy it from him." Are you intrigued? Thirsty? Gullible? Then check out the video by clicking here!

Check out my comedy video where I try to sell an "authentic" Transformers action figure

Here's the description I'm putting with my new video: "Josh has been having trouble selling his amazing goods on his eBay page. So he thought maybe videos would help to show how great his stuff is. In his first video, he's selling a real, authentic, vintage Transformers action figure. It's a valuable collector's item and you should buy it for lots of money." Now, that sort of leaves it up to the viewer to figure out that if it's serious or a joke. But because you're a loyal reader of my blog, I shall give you a top-secret inside tip: It's a joke. :) Check it out by clicking here.