Sharks and Bagpipes
Thirty years ago, when I was first beginning to conceive cartoon ideas, I worked with two other guys. Together we had conceived a show about a big bumbling shark and a very angry lynx (a lynx is similar to a bobcat). The shark's name was Fish and the lynx? His name was Chip. So the show was called Fish and Chip. Randomly, we decided to give the character of Chip a Scottish accent. Finally, the day arrived to pitch the show concept to the cartoon studio bosses. The three of us wanted to make the pitch memorable, which meant we needed a gimmick. Of course, we could’ve pitched the show straight and it might have been fine, but we really wanted it to stand out as something special. How were we going to make this meeting stand out?
We decided the best thing to do was lean into the Scottish aspect of our Chip character. Since he was Scottish, what about hiring some bagpipers to play at the meeting before our pitch? That would be awesome, right? What could possibly go wrong? The plan was set and we hired three professional bagpipers to enter as we were introduced. Keep in mind, the room was about 300 ft.² with seven people besides the three of us. Picture 10 people sitting around a conference table in a relatively small room. Then picture three bagpipers start playing and enter the room.
Have you ever heard a set of bagpipes being played? In an open field they are loud, but three sets of bagpipes played in an enclosed space was deafening! Needless to say, I think people could hear them 12 buildings away. It was too late for a change, so the bagpipers walked around the conference table playing a Scottish anthem of some kind. They played for a total of about four minutes, then left the room. As they exited, the bosses sat for a stunned moment. My partners and I also sat for a stunned moment.
Had we made a huge mistake? Had we destroyed the pitch before it even started? Did we make it the wrong kind of memorable? Were we all about to be unemployed forever? Did we cause an international incident with Scotland? Ten seconds later we got our answer. The bosses erupted into thunderous applause and were laughing their heads off! It was definitely one of the most memorable pitches they had ever seen, and we ended up selling the show.
The question is: Would we have sold the show without the bagpipers? We’ll never know. Bottom line. The plan worked. We stepped out of our comfort zone, took a chance, and scored the goal. The moral of the story is: Don’t ever be afraid to bring a few bagpipers into your life. It’ll give you a story worth remembering and you just may get to do a cartoon about a Shark and a Lynx—Fish and Chip!
It takes an extra “something” to make it in the entertainment industry. In my book, MAD HUSTLE, I share how I got into the industry and stayed there. Learn from Fish and Chip and me how bagpipes can make a difference!
Order your copy today and make your 2025 memorable. Take the next step to see your entertainment industry dreams come true!
Art gives you power…use it wisely.
Butch Hartman
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