‘Almost grownups’ wins award

Sitcom filmed in city

Altoonan Tony Bambocci's adults-only sitcom "Almost Grownups" filmed its second episode in Altoona earlier this month as he and his crew awaited results of their submission to a national short film competition June 19.

Both are steps forward along a path Bambocci hopes leads to "Almost Grownups" being selected by an agent who can get it on Netflix, Amazon or Hulu. For now, the show is building a fan base and accumulating view-hours on Stoneman Production's YouTube channel. Released in May, the first episode garnered nearly 4,000 views in its first weeks -- mostly women, who are watching the entire 41-minute episode.

"That's unheard of in today's short-attention span world. I'm surprised. I thought this would mainly appeal to men age 30 and older," Bambocci said as the crew prepared to film at his home. "The show is basically about what goes on in the minds of men and what happens when women aren't around. I miss Seinfeld so I wanted to create the 'Seinfeld' and 'Always Sunny in Philadelphia' vibe," he said. "I'm allowing for one year for it to be picked up, so I'm not panicked."

Earlier this week, Bambocci learned "Almost Grownups" garnered the Laurels Award of Recognition in The Best Shorts Film Festival in La Jolla, Calif.

"It's my understanding this is very prestigious and rare to win on a first entry," he said.

Bambocci draws from elements of his central Pennsylvania life and people he knows, especially their names because he "has trouble coming up with character names," he said. The plot revolves around an obsessive-compulsive middle-aged entrepreneur who struggles with mid-life crisis issues while his ex-wife and dysfunctional childhood friends invade his privacy and create problems. The friends have never left their small hometown in central Pennsylvania and hangout nightly in "Tony's" man cave.

"I want people to know that this is raunchy, edgy and adults-only humor," Bambocci said. "I'm sure it's going to offend some people and I'm OK with that. It's over-the-top, especially the first episode."

"But there's no cussing or swearing," said former Altoonan Nicholas Buck, an alumnus of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, who handles makeup and creates practical effects, such as a walrus-like moustache and a prosthetic toe.

Buck is one of several Blair Countians involved in production. Kirk Leidy is the film's director and producer, Pat Adachi and Richard Park operate cameras, and several local actors serve as extras in the second episode. Area residents will also recognize some local sites, such as a pharmacy and classic car garage.

The main character, "Tony" is played by Brian Ceponis, "Tony's" ex-wife "Liz" is portrayed by Amy Lyn Elliott, and friends "Don" portrayed by Garrett Titlebaum; "Marty" by Mike Shahen and "Butch" by Dave Ogrodowski.

"It gets a little confusing," Elliott said, referring to how Bambocci uses friends' names. "I met the real Liz, (Bambocci's ex-wife) yesterday as she is helping with the wardrobe."

Elliott, who lives in Vandergrift, Pa., has prior acting experience as do many other cast members, but this is her first sitcom. Her previous roles include commercials -- you can catch her in a commercial on the ID channel and "Beginnings" on AmazonPrime, where several other cast members also appear.

Elliott describes her character as very similar to herself.

"Liz is the only regularly appearing female and this second episode features her," Elliott said. "Liz is the go-to person whenever the guys are in trouble. She is everyone's big sister. There really aren't any differences between us. Liz is spunky and blunt with no filter. There are a lot of parallels between us in real life. We both married Italians," she said.

While set in modern-day, the sitcom men grew up in the '80s and those cultural references may leave under-30 viewers a bit confused, Bambocci said, like references to the 1989 hip-hop song "Funky Cold Medina" by Ton Loc.

The men in the sitcom often talk in code, especially in discussing sensitive subject matter, like when one of the guy's girlfriend has less than ideal feminine hygiene.

"The four main characters have known each other since they were young boys and they have their own code, metaphors, similes and inside jokes," said production assistant Jacqueline Pickens. The "code" of analogies and metaphors were created to keep the boys' discussions of problematic topics concealed from their parents. It's a habit the now-adult men haven't outgrown.

Altoona Mirror staff writer Patt Keith can be reached at 949-7030.

On the Net

See "Almost Grownups" on YouTube at: