Happyjoel's Super Fun Time Weblog

One of Three Jolly Ranchers Finalists for $20,000

happyjoel — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:07:07 +0000

For the Jolly Ranchers “Crunch n’ Chew” assignment, my buddy Joseph had a brilliant idea – the winner of the contest is getting “hired” for $20,000 to make two more videos, so why not make an entry that lends itself to seeing what those next two videos would be?

We worked hard on a song and gave ourselves the name “Storytime Adventure Club” (because, you know, storys. And also adventure.) and now our video is one of the three finalists. There’s a public vote going on, but fortunately this is the easiest vote ever – no email or registration required, just a click on the link and a vote for “Bart the Bold.” Try it – click on that giant picture below us and see the magic that happens when you vote for me!

Vote for "Bart the Bold" daily.

Also, since it’s so easy, if you’ve EVER wanted to pass on a vote, this is the one to do. That and also the video kicks ass. Don’t you want to find out what happens if he visits the fluffy animal playground?!?!

Unboxing Something from B&H Video Contest

happyjoel — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:15:17 +0000

The good people at B&H somehow offer better prices on sending camera equipment overnight from New York than buying things right here in Los Angeles – for that reason, I’m on the website frequently, at least fantasizing about things I want. They (brilliantly) held a contest where they called for people to “unbox” new equipment on camera to enter. Everyone I know who makes videos wants things from B&H so giving a reason to go buy something new for the holidays in time to unbox it was just a great way to get people buying their stuff. It’s better than when “manjunk body wash” required us to make a purchase to enter their contest because, really, wouldn’t you rather have a new camera lens than something called manjunk?

Anyway, here’s my entry -

I got a new polarizing filter because I have been unable to make my blue skies look as blue as I want them for the past year. I’m glad I got it either way, but I’m definitely hopeful that I’ll be chosen as one of the three finalists because the prizes are all sweet. If I do, rest assured you will hear about it because I’ll need votes. Lots of votes.

My Puppeteering Improves Slowly But Surely

happyjoel — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:01:42 +0000

UPDATE: Voting on this contest has started! Vote and see the video in it’s natural habitat by clicking here!

I got this great puppet who I’ve been using to make videos with because there’s something trust-worthy about a blue-haired puppet with mutton chops. So this is a contest entry for Profile Calendar, which is actually a pretty smart invention. It’s a facebook app that creates a calendar of events based on your likes, so when your favorite band is in town you won’t miss them.

Though it’s not like with a 14 month old I’m going out to see live music all the time.

“Doritos PSA” Doritos Crash the Superbowl Contest Entry by Happyjoel & Co.

happyjoel — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:37 +0000

Big million dollar Doritos contest is happening again. And I know that traditionally, Doritos goes with entries where two dudes are fighting and one gets hurt and then someone gets Doritos. I know this. This is not my style.

However, I also know that the winner gets to meet and work with the Lonely Island guys. Because of this, I had to enter. Not just because I think they are awesome, which I do. But because for the Klondike contest I got to meet them, and meeting them again under these circumstances would absolutely be the greatest most hysterical thing ever. So I came up with an idea and worked with my genius of a brother to produce it. Here it is:

Doritos PSA

I hope it wins.

Holiday Time Gift Rapping from My Wife

happyjoel — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:45:12 +0000

I teamed up with Reggie again for a holiday contest entry for Zappos, this one featuring the kickass rapping that only my wife could provide. For extra rap cred, she did the whole thing in a plush robe.

A Gift To You A Little Gift To Me

My favorite part is the devil/angel part. For those of us married to Gemini’s it really hits home

Finalist in the See Much More Photo Contest

happyjoel — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:00:22 +0000

Just got word that we’re one of 25 finalists in the “See Much More” photo contest. I say “we” because though I took this picture, the clear stars are three generations of Pritikins. Randi, her father and Mort. The entry that garners the most votes between now and Nov 18th (and you can vote EVERY SINGLE DAY!) wins $5000 towards a vacation, which, according to the rules is “awarded in the form of a check,” so basically you win a check for $5000. Which is awesome.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Click Photo Contest Entry

2) Under the picture click “Submit my Vote”

3) Fill out name, email address and Captcha to submit.

4) Mark your calendar and DO IT AGAIN DAILY PLEASE!!!

I’m also really proud of the picture, but I guess the secret is having a bunch of adorable faces to take pictures of. (That’s right, I even called my father-in-law adorable! If he is uncomfortable the next time I see him, I’ll know it means he read this blog post!)

Just Say Movember

happyjoel — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:02:05 +0000

For many years now, dudes have been growing mustaches to bring attention to cancer’s that affect men, specifically prostate cancer. While this is important information, it’s also a great excuse for people to grow out mustaches and celebrate the mustache in general.

So this year, my buddy Zach Sherwin (AKA MC Mr. Napkins) were given a gig to put together a little song about the history of mustaches. As is our way, Zach tackled the lyrics (and crushed it) and I tackled the music. Then the Movember people put together a video of epic mustache proportions.

Click the picture to see the video

Makes me wish we had the budget to hire dancers and warehouses for all the collaborations we do.

Third Times a Charm For This Dance Routine?

happyjoel — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:17:39 +0000

Let’s see if the third time is a charm with this delightful dance routine my wife and I put together. First, it failed to win a trip to Cyprus because the trip got cancelled. Then it failed to win a “second time around” contest on poptent. Now, it’s been slowed down substantially and set to music by Lia Ices for her make my music video contest for the song “Love is Won.” If you ever wanted to see what love looks like, it’s in this dance routine. (It’s NOT the dance, it’s the fact that I have a wife who is willing to spend a day choreographing this ridiculous thing with me.)

IF you make it through the whole three minutes of this video, please post a comment so I can tell you how impressed I am with your stick-to-itiveness.

Megapath Collaboration Wins Top Prize

happyjoel — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:20:29 +0000

This morning I checked on the Zooppa website to see if there was any update on the Megapath Tech Talk Video Contest winners, and lo and behold (let’s pause and give me a little credit for knowing that it was “lo” and not “low.” All done? Okay, continuing) My entry was at the top in the first prize slot. This was particularly exciting for me because:

a) I was really proud of this entry and the work my amazing collaborator, Reggie Schickel. This was our first time working together, and I hope we enter a lot more together after this win.

b) Credit cards. Am I right? Easy to overspend, hard to keep track of your finances. I should stick to debit cards. At least according to this awesome video with a dude in a speedo and a mustache. Anyway, it’s enough to say that this family was in some need of a hot cash infusion, and I’m glad we won this contest.

To check out the winning entry, click Epic Megapath Tech Talk Rap

My Big Fat Greek Birthday Party (And Contest Entry)

happyjoel — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:56:41 +0000

Sterling Vineyards is hosting a video contest looking for the best person to put on a party, or “HOST,” as we call it in the industry. They are selecting one finalist from each of four rounds, and I used my birthday party as a way to get a house full of people and have them fill my video for Round #2, the “Foodie Movie,” round.

I worked VERY hard all day cooked kebabs, spanakopita, baklava (okay, I bought the baklava) and generally Greek-ing out on all things Greek to go pair together wine, food and the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Now, I don’t think this is the most ELEGANT party ever assembled, but what I wanted most was to show that I could host a party and make it FUN. I think we nailed it, and at least I had a kickass birthday party out of it!

UPDATE: It only took me two days to find out this lost. Bummer!