Comedians pilot high vis vest challenge show
- Hidden camera show High Visibility is an Impractical Jokers-style task format
- Creator Emmanuel Sonubi stars with Thanyia Moore, Marlon Davis, Lily Phillips and Richard Stott
- Director Joe Bor has also made Clowntographer, a film about photographers who shoot comedians
A group of comedians are piloting a hidden camera show based on the theory that you can get away with anything if you're wearing a high vis vest, British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal.
High Visibility has been created by Emmanuel Sonubi, who features alongside fellow stand-ups Thanyia Moore, Marlon Davis, Lily Phillips and Richard Stott in the show, in which they try to accomplish a series of random tasks while claiming the authority that the fluorescent workwear bestows.
Shot on Sunday in London's Carnaby Street, the Impractical Jokers-style show is directed by comedian and filmmaker Joe Bor, who previously made hidden camera videos with his ex-Gadabouts sketchmate Luke McQueen. His other credits include documentaries about the late, legendary comic Ian Cognito and autistic Britain's Got Talent finalist Robert White.
Initially made for social media release as short-from clips, the creators hope to take the sketches to a television channel.
"It really made me laugh filming it and it's making me laugh in the edit" Bor told BCG. "I was surprised with what they got away with, they looked like charity muggers. But because they're comedians, they're comfortable with that sort of interaction with people. We filmed as much as possible and there are so many fun moments I'm currently playing with."
High Visibility is produced by Sonubi and Rum Tab Media, the fledgling production company set up by Adam Rushton, owner of Lancashire-based A Rush Of Laughter agency, whose clients include Bor. Rum Tab recently piloted the sitcom Pubwatch, starring Rob Rouse, Mick Ferry, Stephen Bailey, Hannah Platt and the comedy's writer Pete Selwood.
Meanwhile, Bor's award-winning short film Clown starring Seann Walsh, Shaparak Khorsandi and Tom Little, and documentary Ian Cognito: A Life And A Death On Stage, are screening at the Crystal Palace International Film Festival, starting next week.
And Bor is also about to release a film about photographers who specialise in shooting comedians.
Featuring snappers Steve Best, Steve Ullathorne, Edward Moore, Claire Haigh and Richard Wood, Clowntographer also includes interviews with comics Dave Johns, Mike Gunn, Ninia Benjamin and Jeff Innocent and Comedy Store owner Don Ward, and follows Best, who is also a stand-up, and his efforts to get a photo on the famed wall of the Store in London.
"I love photographs of comics and I love Steve's work" Bor says. "I've bought a few of his prints and the film is looking very beautiful. And obviously because there are comedians in it, it's funny as well."