YouTube Sketchies – Take Two

Last July, Payman Benz and Sean Becker of LA-based Awkward Pictures beat out roughly 5,000 other hopeful sketch comedians to take home the grand prize package from YouTube’s aptly-dubbed sketch comedy contest, the Sketchies.

After making it through the first two rounds, an ill-tempered pug cohabitating with a self-proscribed anger manager is what won the duo a meet and greet with internet-turned-SNL stars The Lonely Island, an all expenses paid trip to the premiere of Andy Samberg’s forgettable flick Hot Rod, an opportunity to shoot a commercial spot for contest sponsor Sierra Mist, and some production bells and whistles including a Panasonic AG-HVX200. Not to shabby a take home. This year it’s a helluva lot nicer.

Showing just how far the YouTube and this whole web video thing have come in the past 10 or so months, the Toyota Corolla-sponsored Sketchies II is giving away $15,000 in production gear and $25,000 in cash to one lucky winner. Payman and Sean, colored jovial with a shade of resentment because this prize pack is way more better than the one they received, explain the rules:

Or, if you prefer hearing instructions from females, here’s Lisa Nova telling you what’s what (she’s also resentful, but because her orange-faced, Orange County republican didn’t win Sketchies I).

Regardless of who’s explaining, the key takeaways are the same: Submissions are due by March 3rd. Videos must be roadtrip themed and must contain at least one musical instrument. An “expert panel” will select the top 20 and the YouTube community will select the top 10. Those 10 finalists will create another video and the YouTube community will vote on the winner. Given that $40K in cash and prizes is up for grabs, the quality of the competition should be entertaining.