A year ago, sketch comedy group iFriendsAndMy was merely an idea between friends and Ohio University students. Now that idea is a reality.
The group, with some of its founding members graduated and some still in school, will be featured at the Wizard World Ohio Comic Con in Columbus this weekend when the collective showcase some of their sketch comedy videos.
iFriendsAndMy is a comedy collective that prides itself on having no set cast. Founder Daniel Ahrens, recent graduate of Ohio University in video production, said they reach out to anyone who’s interested in making their sketch ideas come to life on iFriendsAndMy’s YouTube channel.
Since the group’s start a year ago, they have had over 40 contributors and have made 23 sketches, with many in the works.
“The Athens scene has massive talent, people have totally different jokes than I’ve heard before, and people are really dedicated,” Ahrens said. “We might be the only YouTube comedy group that’s going to be at the Mid Ohio Comic Con.”
Taylor Reinhart, a senior studying English, is one of the actors for the group’s videos and has been featured in three sketches on the channel.
“Most of the ones I’ve been in are ones Dan wrote and produced himself,” Reinhart said. “I haven’t shown them to somebody who hasn’t laughed.”
Joe LaLonde, who graduated with Ahrens in video production, said he appreciates iFriendsAndMy’s goal to feature OU comedian’s ideas.
“It’s kind of just all our comedy friends, and if they have an idea for a funny video, this is an outlet for that,” LaLonde said.
Going to Comic Con was the best result imagined after a year’s worth of working on sketches, Ahrens said.
“We asked around to see if there was any more space, because (Comic Con) had a deadline and we missed it. But we contacted them and I linked them to the page and they had a booth open for us,” Ahrens said. “It’s Ohio’s biggest annual comic con, and it’s gotten bigger and bigger. I’m really excited to go this year."
Jason Flood, a senior studying video production who has worked on a variety of sketches, agreed that attending the Comic Con opens doors.
“I really hope this Con goes really well,” Flood said. “I feel like if it does, we could make more connections while spreading out our viewership, as well as get our name out there at more conventions in other states.”
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