I remember the days leading up to my high school graduation. The excitement of the achievement. The sadness of leaving the place I loved from grades 9 to 12 and the realization I wasn’t going to see my classmates every day any more.
It was a special time for my friends and me to laugh, cry and take lots of photos. It was our time.
As I approached the Manitoba Production Centre on July 11 I felt like I would be intruding on Less Than Kind’s graduation.
I was there during the final taping of the final episode of the series finale. My hope was that I’d have the chance to wish Chris Sheasgreen and Marvin Kaye my congratulations on behalf of NSI, then stay back for a few minutes, observe and quietly leave.
But once I got there, everyone couldn’t be more opposite to ‘less than kind’ … they were more than kind to me.
Story coordinator Jeff Eyamie kindly showed me around the studio and where all the magic happens. I visited Sheldon, Miriam and Danny’s apartment and posed for a photo with William F. White’s GM Steve Morrisson. And I stood in the front landing of the Blecher house.
Did you know, for the first season and a half, the Less Than Kind team used a real house as their set? But in the second season, the house was unavailable so they built a duplicate at the Manitoba Production Centre.
I met so many crew members who were so lovely and welcoming and seemed genuinely interested in the fact that Marvin Kaye and Chris Sheasgreen developed Less Than Kind through NSI Totally Television.
Remember, I’m the intruder at graduation … but when I was introduced to Jesse Camacho, who plays Sheldon Blecher and was about to tape an emotional scene, I told him who I was and NSI’s connection to Marvin and Chris, and he gave me a big bear hug and said “Thank you!” Wow!
Benjamin Arthur, who plays Josh Blecher was also fantastic. He gave me several minutes of his time to chat and thank us for writing about Less Than Kind’s successes and awards on the NSI website.
I sat and chatted with Chris, Marvin and Jeff for quite a while and we talked about how bittersweet the day was. Jeff revealed his packet of tissues for later. We talked about NSI Totally Television and the babies born during production of the series.
Jeff plans to apply to NSI Totally Television next year. Chris was so well versed about NSI’s Script to Screen program for Movie Central and interested in the programs we’re developing. Everyone was so mellow and calm, and interested.
I had the privilege of again meeting executive producers Mark McKinney and Ira Levy and was present when the execs all found out about the DGC nominations for Less Than Kind: Best Picture Editing – Television Series for Craig Webster, and Best Television Series – Comedy.
My time at the studio wrapped with witnessing a scene between Sheldon and Miriam – sorry no spoilers here – with Chris bringing me earphones so I could hear what was going on.
It was very inspiring watching dozens of people working towards this production that only a few years ago was being workshopped and known as They Have Mayonnaise in Montreal and Thicker Than Water. Definitely a goosebump moment, especially with Marvin’s comment about NSI: “You guys put us on the right track.”
I saw a few tears being wiped away, and knew it was time for the intruder to leave.
Happy graduation Marvin and Chris and to your wonderful Less Than Kind family.
