Kenny Hotz made his first film at the age of six while attending film camp in Toronto. He has been a photographer since 1986 -- photographing historic world events in numerous countries. His photo essays include: Auschwitz, Dachau, Needle Park (Zurich, Switzerland), David Koresh, Mount Caramel, Waco and New Years' in Times Square 2000.
In 1991, he traveled to the Middle East to cover the Gulf War -- the only registered Canadian artist to do so. Numerous Canadian institutions including the national and provincial archive have collected his work. He won the best student photo award for his photograph "Life Behind the Mask" in 1992.
Hotz attended the Media Arts program at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Ryerson University) in 1992. He then began work on an award-winning comedic short film, It Don’t Cost Nothin’ To Say Goodmorning which is about the life and death of a homeless foul-mouthed dwarf in Toronto, named Shorty Gordy.
In 1997, Hotz spent time working as a writer on the American cartoon series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He also starred with his pal Spencer Rice in the award-winning internationally acclaimed documentary Pitch.
In 1999, he moved on to Los Angeles to create and develop a television programming called Kenny vs. Spenny (which was nominated for the Rose d'Or for Best International Comedy Series, and two Gemini award nominations for Best Canadian Comedy Series in 2004 and again in 2006).
In 2004, Hotz wrote, directed and starred in The Papal Chase, an award winning documentary film chronicling attempts by Hotz to meet Pope John Paul II. The film, which features cameos by The Rolling Stones and The Pope, won the acclaimed Phillip Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature Film and an unprecedented $10,000 cash prize in 2004. In 2005, the film also won the People’s Choice Award for Best Canadian Feature at the Canadian Filmmakers Festival and the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Brooklyn International Film Festival.
In 2005, he wrote/consulted on the ninth season of the animated Emmy Award winning series South Park, alongside of his friends Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
In 2006 he was a contributing columnist for the internationally acclaimed periodical Vice Magazine and was awarded his first literary prize. The “WTF best story award” for an article he wrote in the FICTION issue.
Kenny vs. Spenny began airing on Comedy Central in the fall of 2007. The series has completed 4 seasons consisting of over 62 episodes. It is currently airing in numerous countries around the world, and is the largest selling comedy format in the history of Canadian Television. Hotz also created the concept for "Versusville" -- a 3D video game meant to accompany the Kenny vs. Spenny series. The game was nominated for a Canadian New Media Award for "Excellence in Gaming."
Kenny has recently popped his Hollywood Feature Cherry, appearing alongside Seth Rogen in the new Kevin Smith feature film Zack and Miri Make a Porno.
He is also an avid video blogger on his website and is constantly producing web content for kennyhotz.com.
Toronto native Jeff Kassel has appeared on television in The Path to 9/11, This is Wonderland, Sue Thomas F.B.Eye, Earth Final Conflict and as a series regular on CBC's The X for two seasons. Jeff's film credits include the thriller Traitor as well as Talk to Me and The Sentinel. He has also appeared in over 30 national television commercials, and has been seen on countless stages around Toronto performing improv. Jeff’s screenwriting has won Telefest Awards for Best Screenwriting, Best Comedy and Best Production as well as “The Silver Hugo Award” at the Chicago International Film Festival. Jeff was a Co-Producer of the Gemini award-winning documentary Camp Hollywood.
When Michael Anderson introduced Kim Schraner at the Toronto International Film Festival, he introduced her as “the young lady who brightened up our little picture.” Kim has performed extensively in Canada and the United States, working alongside such notable actors as Robert Wagner, Louise Fletcher, Nastassja Kinski, William Shatner, Joely Fisher, and Brittany Murphy. She has worked on such shows and movies as The Listener, A Dennis the Menace Christmas, CBC’s Spynet, Mutant X, Renny Harlin’s TRAX and most recently reprised her role as the deadly psychotic makeup sales girl Jessica on Paradise Falls for Showcase and Here TV.
Outside of acting, Kim is an accomplished pianist, painter and ballet dancer. She holds her black belt in karate and is a published author in the upcoming book Making It In High Heels.
Steve Markle wrote and directed Camp Hollywood, Gemini Award winner for Best Documentary. A revealing look at struggling artists residing at a seedy Hollywood hotel, the doc airs on Bravo and IFC in Canada and The Sundance Channel in the U.S.
A native of Toronto, Markle got his start in show business at age ten telling jokes as “Steve the Rock & Roll Kid” on radio station Q107. Markle graduated from the filmmaking program at Ryerson University as winner of the annual Norman Jewison Award. Signed to production house Steam Films, Markle began directing TV commercials for major brands including Pizza Hut, Advil and Saturn cars.
At 25, Markle made headlines by running for Mayor of Toronto. Stepping down from politics, Markle took a position with Alliance Atlantis as Creative Director of Showcase where he oversaw the on-air branding of the television network.
As his persona Slim Mackerel, a ‘70s rock legend on the comeback trail, Markle has performed everywhere from the Playboy Mansion to the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards. The website, slimmackerel.com, features Slim interviewing Sting, Jessica Simpson and Harrison Ford. Markle spent two years in LA where he was a regular comic at the Hollywood Improv, and star of the MTV series You’ve Got A Friend, a hidden camera show produced by Ashton Kutcher.
Joe plays Nugget, Ron and Peter's full-time unemployed neighbor.
Recently Joe was in Brazil working with acclaimed film Director Fernando Mierelles in the production of Blindness which is in theaters this fall. Next year you can see Joe in the Universal Pictures feature film, Repossession Mambo. He has many film credits to date, but most notable is The Boondock Saints, where he fulfilled a long life dream to make-out with an Oscar® winning performer, unfortunately it was a guy, Willem Dafoe, but who cares right? Right?
He's also done a lot of 'quality' television which has found eternal life on Bulgarian satellite TV, and he is flocked by fans regularly when strolling along the Vladaya River.
Joe is honored to lower his standards in order to be working with massively talented creator Kenny Hotz.
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