GONQ Show Saves the Pitch Trip

Every year, the Algonquin College Scriptwriting program graduates a new generation of content writing professionals, students who've benefitted from our diverse and comprehensive curriculum, enabling them to put their own stamp on the media landscape of the future. One facet of said curriculum has always been...

The Toronto Pitch Trip
Over a fast paced three days, students are met by creative development heads of major networks and production companies in Toronto. As it is not considered core curriculum, recent provincial government changes have severely reduced Student Association Funds to many college programs.

The trip is in jeopardy and the GONQ Show has been asked to raise our game.

The Gonq Show has always been our "Harvard Hasty Pudding" show, our lampoon comedy revue that gave the scriptwriters their first taste of working in a comedy writing room to a set deadline. This self-produced show was normally a success if it earned between $500-$900 in a year.

What started as a morale boosting event has just been elevated to a mission critical centrepiece that needs to raise its game. So this year, we'll be releasing digital content and this GoFundMe as companions to the live GONQ Show performance.

(((((((     LIVE - DEC.13th ALGONQUIN COLLEGE THEATRE -  N-112  ))))))

Our graduates are working in every facet of the industry and winning awards, in Canada and internationally. The Toronto Pitch trip is a crucial part of helping these success stories occur. So we're reaching out to the public, former students, family and Gonq show audience members who can't attend the show, but still want to support the program.

IF we can raise even $3500, we will have replaced the money lost by the recent provincial government decisions. If we can make it to $8000, the trip will be fully funded for all students with no added fees. 

After GoFundMe takes their percentage, every penny raised will go directly to the student trip. We will ALSO be fundraising via the actual GONQ show and with other initiatives.

Thank you for any support you can give.

Rick Kaulbars - Gonq Show Producer

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1ST 24HR FUNDRAISING UPDATE & FAQ: It’s Already a Win!
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We’re all a bit overwhelmed. In the first 24hrs, we’ve almost fully replaced the money lost due to recent government changes. As well, besides the GoFund Me, we’ve also been approached privately with bursaries and cash donations that total $600 so far. So we’re well into $2600 territory as of this point. (Wed. Oct. 9th, 9am) We can’t thank you enough.


But we’re still going forward.


FAQ
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WHY DID YOU WANT $8000?
The entire trip costs roughly $8000 every year. While the SA funding helped with a few thousand, the students still spend a good part of their academic year trying to scare up cash in other pursuits, via their Hothouse dramatic play reading series, bake sales or chasing any other possible fundraising source.


This year, by adding the GoFund Me, we’re trying to ease a considerable chunk of that pressure off. The less fundraising they have to do, the more time they can dedicate to studies.


By itself, the GoFund Me may NOT even reach the $8000 total, but we’re aiming at that target with a deadline of next March (The Pitch Trip).


So things are looking great at this point. But the “Pitch Trip” is still five months away, and this is a marathon, not a sprint.


As the year proceeds, we will move forward heartened by the kind groundswell of support from our media family, fantastic grads, and kindly onlookers who’ve made this year’s trip possible.


Thank you and stay tuned for more updates further into the semester.


And, again, don’t forget to come out to the GONQ Show, Dec. 13th at Algonquin College.


Cheers,


Rick Kaulbars