The WMEAC Blog asks if my eco-comedy is effective

Click here to read a nice piece about my eco-comedy in the WMEAC Blog (oh please, stop pretending you don't know WMEAC stands for West Michigan Environmental Action Council). The article ends by asking the reader to decide if eco-comedy is an effective tactic. Well, I sure hope it's effective, 'cause otherwise hosting Night For Nature in two days will be a waste of my Friday night. Oh, who am I kidding... I'd just be spending Friday night crying into my pillow as usual. So at least I'm getting out of the house. If you, too, need an excuse to pry yourself from your tear-salted bedding this Friday, get ticket info at the Facebook event listing by clicking here. I'm not saying you'll see a live performance of my new love song for Green Party leader Elizabeth May, but, well, ok, yes, I'm saying that.

America's Comedy reports on MY comedy!

If any U.S. customs agents are reading this, I want you to know that having a video featured on the site America's Comedy grants me permission to work in America. After all, did you hear that Conan O'Brien got his start by having a video featured on America's Comedy? He didn't, but I was wondering if you'd heard that. Ok, ok, fine, ouch - Enough with the cavity search. Just check out the article by clicking here.

My eco-comedy is profiled in The Ottawa Citizen!

The Ottawa Citizen. Leading newspaper in our Nation's Capital. Keeping us informed about the most important issues in our country since 1845. And today, I am one of those issues. Well, ok, maybe the environment is the real issue in this story. But still, it's me getting the word out. I don't see any trees winning eco-comedy film awards. Trees are so lazy. I'm just kidding, I love trees. I mean, not THAT way. I'm into women. Although, come to think of it, I'd probably have more success with trees. Anyway, what was I happy about a second ago? Oh, right. The article. Check it out by clicking here.

Mother Nature Network profiles me in eco-comedy article!

Recently, a writer from Mother Nature Network asked to include me in a story about eco-comedians. And today that story was published. You can see the section about me by clicking here. And that's that. I can't think of anything witty to add. Which kind of undermines the story's claim that I'm one of the funniest eco-comedians. So I'll just end this post now and hope nobody notices that it wasn't funny. (Although, hey, by writing that this post wasn't funny, I'm supporting her claim that "Josh Rachlis specializes in his own brand of self-deprecating eco-irreverence." Ok,  whew. Reputation salvaged.)

Watch our show to popularize your blog!

Check out the latest episode of The Creative Itch at http://vimeo.com/21530095 or below. The Creative Itch is a new advice show that teaches people how to pursue the creative careers of their dreams. After seeing our first episode where we explained the concept, Olga reached out to ask for advice on how to get lots of people to read her blog. Gwen and I sat down with her and gave her so many useful tips, Olga could start a blog about how to write a blog. Hey, that's not a bad idea, actually. We'll have to have her back as a guest so I can add that tip. In the meantime, what are your favourite tips from this episode? Any tips of your own? Post in the comments section, and let's all help each other scratch our creative itch!


The Creative Itch: How to get hits for your blog from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

My eco-comedy video wins eco-comedy video contest!

So, I heard about an eco-comedy video contest. Of course I was happy about this, because it means the eco message is getting spread. But it made me feel less special to know I'm not the only one making eco-comedy videos. Fortunately, my feeling of specialness returned upon receiving notice that I won the contest. Yah, that's right - Bring it on, eco-comedy videomakers! Bring it on!!! Wait, that's not very Gaia of me, is it? Ah, screw it. It's every environmentalist for him/herself. So I'll paste in the announcement email below to intimidate any future eco-comedy videomakers who might be getting any bright ideas. Like they used to put heads on poles to warn people what would happen if they made eco-comedy videos. Or something like that.

---

Subject: Winners of the Eco-Comedy Video Competition

Dear Friends,

I want to share with you the short, humorous video projects submitted to the Third Annual Eco-Comedy Video Competition.  We launched this competition as a way to encourage the use of humor in the fight for conservation.

All submissions are now available for you to enjoy here under the "Video Responses" heading.  I’ve included the four finalists at the end of this e-mail.  

I thank the Sierra Club, Eco-Sense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Mill Reef Productions for making this competition possible through a partnership with SOC's Center for Environmental Filmmaking at AU.  I especially thank the Sierra Club for putting up the $1,000 prize money.

Congratulations to all our participants, and a very special congratulations to the two winners, Josh Rachlis for An Inconvenient Ruth, and Ben Zolno for Plastic State of Mind.  Josh and Ben will split the $1,000 prize from the Sierra Club.

Best, Chris

2011 Finalists:

ScamWOW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMQCj9UHCpM 

The Energetic Energy-Saver

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDMha4-DQwA

Plastic State of Mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0D0c4qXV90

An Inconvenient Ruth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mmkOF9qJAU&feature=email 

Professor Chris Palmer

Author of Shooting in the Wild: An Insider's Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom  (Sierra Club Books, 2010)

Distinguished Film Producer in Residence

Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking

School of Communication, American University

4400 Mass Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20016-8017

palmer@american.edu

cell 202-716-6160; office 202-885-3408; home 301-654-6137

Center website: www.environmentalfilm.org

SOC profile: http://www.american.edu/soc/faculty/palmer.cfm

Shooting in the Wild on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/gOTUlc

Shooting in the Wild website: http://bit.ly/a4L3LU

Chris’s Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/#!/chrispalmer47

Follow me on Twitter @chrispalmer_au

Chris’s blog: http://soc-palmer.blogs.american.edu/

---

And here's my winning video, to reinforce to eco-comedy videomakers what they're up against when they mess with me:

Can you bear how cute this cartoon is?

For their latest shelf display sign, eco-friendly soap company The Soapworks wanted to teach people that hand sanitizers aren't enough to keep your hands germ-free - you also have to wash with soap. I wandered into the forest for inspiration and came across this poignant scene, which I quietly captured with pen and paper while crouched unseen in the bushes. Yes, that's the level of commitment you get when you commission an illustration from Josh Rachlis.

Stand-up comedy post-Valentine's Day

Here's me doing stand-up comedy at The Eco Laundry Room on Feb. 19, 2011. Watch it below or visit http://youtube.com/watch?v=JAJI-b88pTQ to learn why the Italian PM's female friend is a prostitute, why the Mel Gibson insult rant is a fake, why it's a miracle sex ever happened, why having children is selfish, why being the husband of a female cuckold fetishist would rock, why being gay is a scam and why restaurants shouldn't charge extra for fajita shells. (That last one didn't have anything to do with Valentine's Day, but I had to get it off my chest.)

My heroic assembling of this superhero cartoon

A woman recently responded to my Kijiji ad asking for a very specific cartoon. She even provided visual references of everything. I'm attaching the items so you can see how it was all put together. She wanted the superhero body, with the sports team insignia on the shirt, holding up the company logo, with the face of her loved one. You can see how I put it all together, in full colour and in my special Josh style. The client was very pleased. You might say I passed the test with "flying colours." Or, if you don't enjoy horrible puns, you might not say that. Regardless, if you want your own personalized cartoon, email me at josh.rachlis (AT) gmail.com

Mother duck teaches in my cartoon for soap company

For The Soap Works, the holiday season wasn't just a chance to sell eco-friendly gifts, it was a chance to remind us the importance of hand-washing to stay healthy. I came up with a few ways to convey this. And a loving mother duck and her duckling kids won out. Note: Do NOT read that last sentence out loud ten times fast. We're trying to keep things "clean." Ha ha, get it? Anyway, to order your own personalized cartoon, email me at joshrachlis (AT) gmail.com

Frogs open their gifts in my xmas cartoon for the eco soap company

For the Christmas season, The Soap Works hired me to do another cartoon for their in-store displays. This one was to get out the message that soap is a gift people will actually use - which is yet another eco feature of the soaps. I came up with a few concepts, and this was the winner. I'm sure I could end this post with some double-meaning eco/frog pun playing off the expression "It's not easy being green," but, hey, write your own. Why do I have to do all the work here? To order a personalized cartoon of your very own, email me at: joshrachlis (AT) gmail.com

My new show helps you get into creative careers!

As you know, I've been doing some creative careers consulting via my popular one-on-one Creativi-Teas. And now it's time to help a wider audience. Below or by clicking here, you can watch Episode 1 of The Creative Itch, a new show that will help all of you who have the urge to do something creative but don't know how to go about it.  My co-host Gwen Elliot is a kindred spirit, because like me she throws herself at every creative opportunity she can make or find. Today's Creative Itch Tip: (with apologies to Nike) Just do it. For example, if you want a TV show, film yourself and put it on YouTube. Like we're doing. See, you've learned something already and you haven't even watch the show yet. When's the last time you learned anything useful from Entertainment Tonight? I'm just kidding - I love Entertainment Tonight. I would host it in a second. You hear that, Entertainment Tonight producers? (See, there's another free tip: Ass-kissing.)

My new stand-up comedy catch phrase

Here's me doing stand-up at The Eco Laundry Room on Nov. 20, 2010. Watch below or click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf3rbqJxOWk. I introduce my new catch phrase, which should hopefully boost my stand-up comedy career. I also learn a little about what people think is funny. Example: Torture = Not funny. Rendering people unconscious with chloroform = Funny. Who knew?

Stand-up comedy about being bald

Here's me doing stand-up at McVeigh's Irish Pub on Nov. 11, 2010. Watch below or click here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wSXCbROz-fg. There was a very small audience and it was all other comedians, so it was a tough room. Hence the silence. Also, of course, I'm not very funny. But I didn't let that stop me. Because I've decided to inflict my stand-up comedy on the public more often. So a couple of weeks ago I booked a gig to force myself to write some stuff. Then last week I was watching clips of comedian John Pinette and noticed that his entire act is about him being overweight. I was inspired. Unfortunately, although my lazy butt is getting me there, I'm not quite fat enough yet to do a whole act about being fat. I am, however, bald enough to do a whole act about being bald.

Eco stand-up I wrote while delirious from a cold

Here's an eco stand-up act I did at The Eco Laundry Room on Oct. 16, 2010. Watch below or click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut917lKLUbI. I'd had a cold all week, but I persevered, in order to help the environment. Unfortunately, this act might have wound up hurting the environment.

I recycle a school project into eco stand-up comedy

Here's my eco stand-up comedy act from Sept. 17, 2010. Watch below or click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDGCSJZ9Ejc. Some background: Last summer, my friend Victoria was bored. So I got her interested in eco pursuits. Then I suggested she might enjoy taking a stand-up comedy class. Then I suggested she produce her own show so she could have a place to perform. She actually listened to me and started a comedy night The Eco Laundry Room. Though I'm the only one actually there who actually does eco-comedy. And this video may show you why. For my 1st appearance at this venue, I dug out and re-presented an old school project by young me (a.k.a. Little Josh). Wow, that's professional. Also, you'll note that the video is of low quality. What happened was, I saw that someone was filming it, so I didn't set up my tripod and camcorder. But as a back-up, I had my friend film it with my digital camera. But the microphone area was in shadow. And it turns out the camcorder footage from that person was so grainy that you can't even make out my face or my drawings. And my friend's hand was not only moving around, but she decided to film vertically, to get my whole body in. But of course, you can't just flip footage like you can a photo. So a friend who dabbles in editing helped me cobble together this video, so that you can at least get an idea of what was going on. Perhaps it will lead to my own eco-comedy show on Discovery Channel, so you'll be able to see me in crisp, well-lit, properly-oriented HD. Unlikely, though.

I'm a Top 10 finalist for ad industry's most creative Canadian

 Okay, so Marketing Magazine is having their 2nd Annual Great Canadian Creative Faceoff. And after reviewing all of their submissions, the judging committee has chosen yours truly as one of the Top 10 finalists. It's a contest to find the most creative person who works in the ad industry, based on their activities when not at work. A cursory perusal of this blog will show you that I engage in a number of creative activities when I'm not at work. Whether I'm any good at them is a whole other matter, to be discussed at another time, preferably over tequila. But right now, we're talking about this contest. Here's how it's officially described:

This is a search for the cream of Canada's creative crop, from across all sectors of our industry-agency, marketer, media, PR. Based on all the nominations received, the top 10 will be selected by Marketing's writers and editors, then posted and profiled on creativefaceoff.ca. From there we turn it over to the audience. We'll be asking you to vote for your favourite. Based on the voting results, the list will be narrowed to 5 semi-finalists. Then, we'll ask for a vote again. A second round of voting will take the Top 5 to Top 3, and the final voting will determine the winner of the 2010 Great Canadian Faceoff, revealed at the 2010 Media Innovation Awards on November 18.

Blah, blah, blah. The point is, go to www.creativefaceoff.ca and vote for me. Under my picture you can click on the link to vote via Twitter. But also, if you scroll down past the faces (which you have to do if you have a teeny laptop like moi), that's where you can select my name to give a non-Twitter vote as well. I hate asking people to go to websites to vote for me. But, well, I guess it's just the curse of being so fabulous that I get shortlisted for so many things. Also, since only half of Toronto actually went out and voted for Mayor, here's the other half's chance to redeem themselves and vote for something. Just don't vote for Rob Ford in this contest, for god's sake. It's going to start going to his head.

I drew a beaver in a bathtub for a soap company

As you know if you've seen me picking up litter or I've asked you to stop idling your car, I'm out to clean up this world. So when I was approached by Andy, the owner of The Soap Works, to draw a cartoon for his in-store displays, it was a match made in eco-heaven. After all, his soaps are natural, biodegradable and don't even have packaging - they're just bars of soap with the logo stamped on! The only thing more eco would be to not bathe at all. And from my experiences with roommates, I know that's not a good thing. Andy had a clear vision that he wanted a beaver with a bathing cap in a bathtub. I threw in a moose whose antlers are being used as a bathrobe hook. Because that's how I roll. Look for it soon at a health food store near you, and let the drawing's whimsical charms seduce you away from buying toxic soaps in plastic containers. To order a personalized cartoon of your very own, email me at: joshrachlis (AT) gmail.com

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.

 

Commissioned to draw a "going away" cartoon

Those of you who spend all your time trolling Craiglist will know I have an ad peddling my cartooning. For those of you who spend their time more productively, here's what it says:

Cartoon illustrations for cards/invites/books/articles and more! (Downtown Toronto)

Want to make a cute personalized card for a loved one? A neat invite for a party? A sign for your business? Need some illustrations for a book or brochure or presentation you've written? I'm a cartoonist whose work has appeared in The Ottawa Citizen, in newsletters for James Ready Beer, and in countless posters, brochures, T-shirts and daily planners. Check out my latest work at http://joshrachlis.blogspot.com/search/label/illustration and see a wider range of my illustration work at http://picasaweb.google.ca/josh.rachlis/Illustrations#. Contact me today and let's make your project cartoon-iriffic! :)

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Nice Craiglist ad, Josh. But you're a Copywriter like on the show Mad Men, so I'd expect your ad to be brilliant. What I want to know is, does the whole cartooning process actually work?" Well, my skeptical, Don Draper-watching friend,  here's an example: This past Friday,  a gentleman responded to my ad with this email: "I'm looking to do a quick last minute cartoon/illustration gift for some friends that are moving to Vancouver. It's a completely last minute idea on my part and would like to present it for dinner tomorrow (Saturday) night at dinner. Is it possible you could turn something around that fast?" Little did he know, he was dealing with Josh Rachlis. Early Saturday afternoon, he emailed me photos of the people to put in the cartoon, a description of what everyone should be doing and a list of little inside jokes (such as a 3-jeweled ring, a multi-olived martini and a couple of timid black cats). I drew a pencil sketch, emailed it to him for his approval, then finished it in ink, and he picked it up mid-afternoon. I followed up with him and he emailed back that it was "a big hit." When's the last time a generic drugstore greeting card was a big hit? Just sayin'. See the cartoon by clicking here or check it out above.

My short film 3 Dates premieres in Hollywood!

I wrote a short film based on my dating (mis)adventures and Cannes Lion-winning Commercial Director Philip Kates shot it. There's been work on developing it into a TV show. In the meantime, I thought it should be shared with the world to warn the public of the dangers of meeting girls on the Internet, specifically on JDate.com. Fortunately, the HollyShorts festival in Hollywood agreed. One of the top 25 film festivals in the world, this year's HollyShorts featured films with/by David Arquette, Mena Suvari, Will Ferrell, Don Cheadle, Kate Bosworth, Zachary Quinto and other people far too talented and successful to be in same festival as me. After the screening, many filmmakers in the audience came up to me quoting their favourite lines from the movie and saying it reminded them of their own dating experiences. Which is really quite sad. Those of you who weren't heartbroken filmmakers in the audience can view it at http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/01125225d1/3-dates (where you could register and rate it "Funny" - just sayin') or watch below:

3 Dates - watch more funny videos

SPECIAL BONUS - To hear about the inspiration for the film, plus unshot scenes that took place between the dates, in this filmmakers talk with the audience, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cB5hWmXL-I or watch below:

Acting in short film as evil boss

My friend Damien Dornford was directing a short film he wrote, as part of a filmmaking class. He asked me to play the evil boss. Since in real life I'll never get to be anyone's boss, I accepted. The film was featured on Rogers Community Cable as part of his class, and also at the Autumn Harvest Film Festival. A festival which Damien started. Gotta love this guy's ambition! Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E313mw3ElU or watch below.

Acting in radio commercial for donut chain

Here's me acting in a radio commercial for a donut chain's delicious new product. In the spot, I'm outwitted by a girl. Funny how life imitates art. Hear it here: http://www.voices.com/demo_detail/60684

I'm rapping and recycling in a convenience store radio ad

As you know from my eco hip hop video, rapping and recycling are my two fav things to do. So you can imagine how excited I was to be asked to rap in a radio ad that's currently running for Couche-Tard, the Quebec chain of convenience stores, and how much more excited I was when I saw that I'd get to mention that I recycle bottles. See if you can hear the excitement in my voice by listening to the spot here: http://www.voices.com/demo_detail/56459. (And yes, confused Ontarians, in Quebec you can actually buy beer in convenience stores. Are we in the wrong province or what?)

My eco vid airs on Comedy Network - and is reviewed as best video!

My eco hip hop music video was just featured on the Series Premiere of the Comedy Network's new Upload Yours TV show. You can see it at around 2:11 in Clip 2 of 2 by clicking here.


You can see the video mentioned in an article about the show that ran at dose.ca and canada.com and The Ottawa Citizen by clicking here and here and here. The quote is:

With Upload Yours, both established comedians and comedy hopefuls have the opportunity to exhibit their material to a national audience. And because the videos have been chosen from thousands of entries collected over the past several months, for the most part, they’re funnier and of a better quality than some of the sketches you’d see on a regular weekly sketch show. One video, called “The Owl and the Man,” features, well, a man in an oversized owl costume dealing with an intellectually deficient man; another, “An Inconvenient Proposal” is a rap ode to An Inconvenient Truth producer Laurie David.

And TV reviewer Cameron Archer says my video was the best on the show in the review you can read by clicking here. The quote is:

Upload Yours‘ debut features the works of Josh Rachlis, Pot of Coffee, Lars Classington, Jeff D’Silva and Perrodue5. Kelsey Anonsen performs some scats, earning four segments for some reason.

Josh Rachlis’ “An Inconvenient Proposal” is Upload Yours’ best sketch so far. It’s a white boy rap, but Rachlis forms the rap around his hard-on for An Inconvenient Truth producer Laurie David. His Upload Yours clip is well-edited and professional, if a bit obsessive over Larry David’s ex-wife.

Let's think about this. All the best Canadian comedy videos were uploaded to the Comedy Network site. The best of those were chosen to be in the TV show. And the reviewer says mine was the best of the videos on the show. So, I'd say that makes me the funniest person in Canada. And everyone knows that Canada produces the funniest comedians of any country (Jim Carrey, Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen, all the SCTV members, etc.). So the way I figure it, I'm officially the Funniest Person On Earth®. Confirming what my only blog reader - my mom - has always told me. Strangely, though, I still can't get a girlfriend to save my life. So maybe something's a bit off in my calculations. Or maybe comedians just don't get action. Nuts. I should have become a rock star.

P.S. After I posted this blog post and tweeted it, the Comedy Network retweeted me, as you can see in the pic above. And they quoted my line from the end of the video! Which means they actually watched it! And remembered it! I mean, come ON!!! That's probably the highlight of my life. My sad, sad life.

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.

Talking Bollocks - Ep.11: Healthy Eating

Marilla eats Kit Kat Chunky Max's. Josh eats $600 a month of vitamins. Who's healthier? The discussion touches on chihuahuas, Dr. Mercola, Val Kilmer, Russell Crowe, Jack Lalanne, Woody Allen, the antioxidants in dark chocolate, the existence of God and those giant Kit Kat bars they used to have in movie theatres.

ABOUT TALKING BOLLOCKS: Talking Bollocks (a British expression meaning chatting about whatever) is a talk show born out of frustration. Marilla Wex and Josh Rachlis want to host a talk show. Until they get one, they're interviewing each other. See more of Marilla at http://marillawex.com and more of Josh, well, right here.

Watch the episode at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uakJe9vR8YM
or below.

I'm interviewed about my screenplay for MovieBytes.com

Because my rom-com feature film screenplay "Focus Group" won the Script Showcase 2009 international screenplay contest, the website MovieBytes.com was interested in learning more about me and my writing process. I was only too happy to oblige, in order that all writers be able to learn from my horrible mistakes. I mean, from my incredible skills. You can read the interview here: http://www.moviebytes.com/ws/Interviews.cfm?InterviewID=514&ContestNumber=2348

Radio movie review of Kick-Ass

Listen below or at http://vimeo.com/11755921. This review of the movie “Kick-Ass" was supposed to air May 1, 2010 show on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station. It wound up airing May 15th. Not that it makes any difference to anyone, but I'm a stickler for detail. Some might say OCD. I prefer to think of it as a superpower. Maybe I'll don a costume and fight crime as OCD Man. If I can ever decide on a costume. In the meantime, I'll bask in the reflected glory of the superheroes in this movie. Pay no heed to Roger Ebert's scathing review of it. I loved it. And I don't like much of anything. Just ask anyone who's had the misfortune to date me. Anyway, at this point I'd normally say: "Hear future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10-11am on 1650AM in Brampton or at cinaradio.com." But this was Prab's last show. So, if anyone wants me to do reviews for your radio station, TV station or Bar Mitzvah party, I'm all yours.

Radio movie review of Kick-Ass from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

My MC'ing Night For Nature mentioned in Toronto Star

My MC'ing of the recent "Night For Nature" is mentioned in this eco-riffic article by Ellen Moorhouse from today's Toronto Star about the green-tastic work being done by GreenPower, the environmental group at Michael Power/St. Joseph's High School in Etobicoke. Full disclosure: I might be a bit biased about the GreenPower's enviro-awesomeness, because I'm a big personal fan of the teacher who runs the group, Ms. Jennifer Gee. In fact, we've picked up litter together. For, as today's article mentions, Jenn wrote to me last summer after reading the August article (http://yourhome.ca/homes/green/article/683093--josh-rachlis-inconvenient-habit) that Ellen wrote about my eco pursuits. The subject line of Jenn's email was "Fan mail?" But I choose to disregard the question mark, because I most certainly want fan mail. Especially from cute eco chicks. Anyway, where was I? Oh, right. Today's article. Read it here: http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/green/article/805093--trash-talk-anti-litter-brigade-s-fast-food-harvest.
P.S. Check out that pic. Is there anything hotter than a woman holding a discarded toilet seat? I think not. No, seriously!

Radio movie review of Pirate Radio

Listen below or at http://www.vimeo.com/11274027. This review of the movie “Pirate Radio" aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on April 24, 2010. Pirate Radio is the tale of a rock radio station getting around government restrictions in the 1960's by broadcasting from a boat. The DJ's were worshipped as heroes and got lots of babes. Which is kind of like my situation with these radio reviews. Except without a boat. And the worship. And the babes. Anyway, hear future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10-11am on 1650AM in Brampton or at http://www.cinaradio.com.

Radio movie review of Pirate Radio from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

Radio movie review of Date Night

Listen below or at http://vimeo.com/11272992.  It's my review of the movie “Date Night." Date Night is about a husband and wife who go out on the town, both seeking to escape the torture of having an attractive, funny spouse, adorable kids, a good-paying job and a beautiful house. I should have just shown them my own life and maybe they would have stayed home and stopped whining. Anyway, the review originally aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on April 17, 2010. Hear future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Brampton or at http://www.cinaradio.com.

Radio movie review of Date Night from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

Acting in a cell phone radio ad

Here's a clever new radio ad that I had the honour of being cast in. I'm the first guy, who starts off saying, "So, what's your plan?" I think you'll agree, I really "cell" my performance. Listen to it below or by visiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqWv8ki-RA.

Radio movie review of The Blind Side

Here’s my review of the movie “The Blind Side." It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on April 10, 2010. It's the true story of a disadvantaged Southern boy who's taken in by a rich woman (played by Sandra Bullock) and he learns to play football and goes to the NFL. It reminded me of when I joined the football team in high school. Except I was never allowed to actually play. Man, if only Sandra Bullock had adopted me, I could have gone far. But never say never, right? Does anyone have her email address? My parents will be happy to give me up for adoption. Listen for future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Toronto or at http://www.cinaradio.com. And listen to this one below or at http://vimeo.com/10855339.

Radio movie review of The Blind Side from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

Radio movie review of Capitalism: A Love Story

Here’s my review of the movie “Capitalism: A Love Story." It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on April 3, 2010. It's a Michael Moore documentary about how capitalism is destroying us. Ha! I knew I was right to be my riding's youth delegate for the "socialist" New Democratic Party when I was in 4th year university. Of course, I had joined the young Conservatives club in 1st year - but that's only because I didn't understand things at the time. I just knew I liked the colour blue and that Shelagh Lemke and Sara Wilshaw were in the club and they were cute. Listen for future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Toronto or at http://www.cinaradio.com. And listen to this one below or at http://vimeo.com/10854801.

Radio movie review of Capitalism: A Love Story from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

I illustrate the James Ready Beer Newsletter a 4th time!

For their latest newsletter, the good folks at James Ready Beer are putting out a giant calendar. Since this is a very new idea for them, they thought it was important to include some instructions on how to get to most out of the calendar, and how to use it safely. I was asked to provide some visuals for the instructions. So I read the instructions and came up with some ideas for pictures that might help make things more clear. Hopefully I succeeded better than when I try to make myself understood to my girlfriend (when I have a girlfriend).

Radio movie review of A Serious Man

Here’s my review of the movie “A Serious Man." It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on March 27, 2010. The movie is the story of a neurotic, depressed, Jewish man for whom nothing ever goes right. Hey, wait a minute. That's my life! The Coen Brothers must have stolen my diary! I'm going to sue those bastards! Or maybe not. Because I'd just lose the case. Because nothing ever goes right for me. Sigh. Anyway, listen for future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Brampton (and maybe you can get the signal in Toronto) or at http://www.cinaradio.com. And listen to this one by clicking play in the video below or visiting http://vimeo.com/10616675.


Radio movie review of A Serious Man from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

Pursue your dreams with me as your Creative Careers Consultant

I've posted this ad on Craigslist and Kijiji. I've got satisfied customers. Now it's time for you, dear Blog reader, to reap the benefits of my experience, too:

Been dreaming of trying out a Creative Career but don't know where to start? You're in luck, because Josh Rachlis (Actor, Writer, Director, Comedian, Copywriter, Radio Host,  Movie Reviewer, Cartoonist, Songwriter and more)  is now working as a Creative Careers Consultant.

When I started out as an actor, I thought a casting agent and a talent agent were the same thing. When I was thinking about getting into advertising, I thought that a Senior Copywriter was higher up than Creative Director. (FYI, I was wrong on both counts.) But through my own research and perseverance, I’ve found success, publicity and awards in a unique variety of creative fields. And now literally every day I get asked how to get into voice work. Or screenwriting. Or copywriting. And more. Consulting gives me a chance to answer your questions. I'll meet you for tea (which I call a Creativi-Tea). If you’d prefer, we could also do it by phone, email or Internet messenger. Through discussion with you I’ll find out what creative career would make you happy and whether you're right for the job. Then I’ll tell you how to get into that field, what classes to take, whom to contact, and more. It also doesn’t hurt that, as a Copywriter, I actually hire voices for commercials I write. I love to discover great new talent and hopefully at some point I’ll be able to use you in my own spots.

If you already know what you want to pursue, we can delve deeper into how to make that happen. As an example, voice acting is the field most people ask me about. Common questions are:

How do I get into voice work?

Is it too late for me to get into voice acting?

Do I have the talent to be a voice actor?

What kind of voice acting is there?

What is a voice demo?

What should a voice demo sound like?

Do I need a voice demo?

Should I make a voice demo now?

Should I take classes?

What are the good classes to take?

Who are the good talent agents to send my stuff to?

We’ll also go over ways to promote yourself. I’ve been featured in two giant articles in The Toronto Star and the National Post. How did I make that happen? You’ll find out. I’ll talk to you about ways to build a brand for yourself, to create buzz, garner fans, get your work talked about and out there to as many people as possible. After one meeting with me, a girl I know who’s into helping people spiritually has launched a whole multi-media business based on her thoughts and teachings and even has interest now from TV producers. Another girl went from having no idea how to get into voice acting to being repped by Toronto’s top voice talent agency – all in the span of a month.

To show you why I’m qualified to answer your questions, here are just some of my creative achievements:

•Copywriting (15 years writing commercials for the biggest, most prestigious brands in the world)

•On-camera acting (I’m the famous Scottish Mini Man in the Nutri-Grain Minis Commercials)

•Voice work (commercials and animated TV shows in Canada, the US and Europe)

•Screenwriting (winner of the prestigious 2009 Script Showcase in LA)

•Radio Hosting:

-Talk radio host on Canada’s most listened to talk radio station, Toronto’s CFRB Newstalk 1010

-Appearances on CBC Radio’s Go and Definitely Not The Opera

-Regular movie reviews on Toronto’s CINA Radio 1650AM

•TV hosting (4 of my own year-long shows on Rogers Community Cable)

•Illustration (frequent illustrations in The Ottawa Citizen)

•Writing (Humour columns for The Ottawa Citizen and Strategy Magazine)

•Improv (Graduate of Second City Conservatory)

•Stand-up (Yuk's Yuk's, Second City, Laugh Resort)

•Live hosting (Ottawa Ad Awards, Jewish/Arab Comedy Night)

•#91 All-Time Most Viewed Comedian in Canada on YouTube

•Featured in large articles in The Toronto Star and National Post

I spent years trying to figure out how to get into these fields. All you need is an hour with me.

As far as I know, no other Copywriter has starred in his own TV ads. And I don’t know anyone who's got this particular mix of fields on their résumé. So take advantage of this unique storehouse of information and start down the path to the Creative Career you've always dreamed off.

To see my work, watch my videos at http://www.youtube.com/joshrachlis and read my latest news at http://www.joshrachlis.blogspot.com. You can also check out my writing and advertising work at http://www.myspace.com/joshrachlis.

A Creativi-Tea is a tiny price to pay for a valuable investment in your creative future. So email me to set up your Creativi-Tea today at josh.rachlis AT g m a i l . c o m

Radio movie review of She's Out Of My League

Here’s my review of the movie “She's Out Of My League." It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on March 20, 2010. I was excited to see this movie because, from the title, I thought it was going to be a documentary about my life. Because every girl I meet is out of my... Anyway, it wasn't about me. But the main actor, Jay Baruchel, is a geeky guy from Ottawa. So it's kind of about me. Except that Jay has built himself a successful, lucrative career in film and a glamourous, fantastic life in Hollywood. And I'm in Canada, uploading reviews of his movies to my blog. A blog which nobody other than my mother reads. So Jay has succeeded in life and I have failed. Anyway, what I was talking about? Oh, right. The movie review. Listen for future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Toronto or at http://www.cinaradio.com. And listen to this one below or at http://vimeo.com/10381791.

Radio movie review of She's Out Of My League from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

Radio movie review of The Informant!

Here’s my review of the movie “The Informant!” It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on March 13, 2010. In the spirit of the movie,  which is about a corporate spy in the early 1990's, I called in my review from a pay phone in the street, just like a corporate spy in the early 1990's would have done. This shows how dedicated I am to giving my listeners an authentic experience. It also shows how afraid I am of getting brain cancer from my cell phone. But mostly the dedication thing. Listen for future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Toronto or at http://www.cinaradio.com. And listen to this one below or at http://vimeo.com/10380583.

Radio movie review of The Informant! from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

Radio movie review of Inglourious Basterds

Here’s my review of the movie “Inglourious Basterds.” It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on March 6, 2010. Did I predict the Best Supporting Actor Oscar won by Christoph Waltz? Did I provide a tribute to my grandfather's brave contribution to World War II? Did I alienate our Nazi listeners? Find out by clicking on the video below or going to http://vimeo.com/10074146. And tune in for future reviews on “The Scope Today with Prab,” Saturdays 10am-11am, at 1650AM in Toronto or at http://cinaradio.com.

Radio movie review of Inglourious Basterds from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.