The "Gong Show" at the Loft
How It All Began
Photos by Joel Yohn


So you might be wondering what a gong and local independent movies have in common. The gong show! -Started by an innovative team at the loft, the show has become one of the few projects that exhibit local talent.


Some people hate it, some people love it. But whichever way you look at it the gong show has attracted many talented filmmakers and the less talented critics (drunken hecklers in the audience).

What is it?

A showcase of locally produced films that are given three minutes to prove themselves. If the audience likes the flick, then they wont yell "Gong!" when a red spot light indicates the end of the three-minute grace period of silence. If the audience does not like the short film, then well they yell "Gong!" followed by a longer "GOOOONG!" (if the movie is really bad) -The movie abruptly stops rolling and the attentive people in the projection booth put on the next flick.

Note: The word "gong" becomes highly addictive to drunk people and some people just can't help but say it simply because they're bored or they want to go down in history as the loud guy in the audience who yelled "Gong!" before anyone else...lengendary, let me tell ya'.

Max Cannon's friend Mike excitedly sounds the gong for his first time. Cannon just had a baby so his close buddy filled in the prestigious role for the month of October.

Cannon, the regular host, dazzles the audience with his gonging abilities.


I interviewed J.J. Giddings, one of the creators of the show…

Cat Scan: Why a “Gong Show”?

J.J: Well we researched what other theatres were doing and thought this would be a good idea.

CS: Does the gong have a name?

J.J.: It’s the “Crispen Glover Memorial Gong”. Crispen came to the Loft to perform a show and it had a red spotlight in it. We now use that same type of spot light to shine on the gong after three minutes of each short.

CS: What have you done before this that you think has helped come up with these original ideas?

J.J.: I was an editor in New York and I worked in promotions. When I came here I worked my way up the ladder and now I run the website and calendar. But for our special events to be successful, we have to put in the extra hours. About 60 a week. You know we’re a non-profit art house?

J.J. celebrates his birthday at the Loft. He feels part of a creative family at the art house.


C.S.: Yeah. A community supported type thingy. So what does that mean?

J.J.: We all have to put in the extra work.

C.S.: It seems to a lot of people that there’s a bias among the audience over what’s popular. It seems that comedies are more popular. What do you think?

J.J.: I know people think there’s a bias. The truth is that drama is a lot harder to pull off.

C.S.: No one has put it that way before.

J.J.: Yeah.

If interested in checking out the gong show, show up the first Friday of each month. And visit the website for special events:

The Loft