New TV show produced by Steinbach's very own Meg Robinson

The brand-new TV mini-series Big Small Town has close connections right here in southeastern Manitoba.

Meg Robinson from Steinbach says she had the pleasure of working on the series, noting “it's a comedy sketch show and with short episodes. Each episode is 8 to 12 minutes long and each episode has two to three sketches in it. It is very silly, it's very goofy, and it features all Manitoba comedians, writers, crew and it's just a really great show. It's kind of a Manitoba success story, if you will.” 

This is the first TV show Robinson has worked on as a producer, and she notes it was an incredible experience.  

“This is a Folks Films production, so they're the geniuses behind this and I got involved with them about two years ago. I actually just asked them to be involved on anything they were doing, I was just desperate to get into film. Then it just kind of snowballed from there.” 

So, what does being a producer look like? 

Robinson says many people don’t really understand what producers do because it is a bit of a mixed bag that can be hard to define.  

“There are so many different tasks that you do as a producer like getting the budget and the money for the show. A lot of the things that I did were related to pre-production, so that means finding the locations to film at, getting the crew together, doing the casting and all the details that you need to start filming a show and then, of course, being on set.” 

The Folks Films Team from left to right: Nate Flaman, Taylor Brown, Meg Robinson, and Laina Brown. Photo provided by Folks Films.

As mentioned, Big Small Town is a very short series, however, Robinson says Folks Films has big dreams for its future.  

“This is sort of a proof of concept for us. It is hopefully going to be a pilot episode for a bigger sketch comedy series. We really believe in this one too, it's sort of like Tim Robinson's ‘I Think You Should Leave’. I think it's got a great style to it, it has so much Winnipeg and Manitoba heart and it really shows how talented Manitobans are.” 

Speaking of talent, Robinson adds “our biggest get for this show is Kevin McDonald, which was fantastic to be able to work with him, he's from Kids in the Hall, of course. We've got Mike Scott who is in BlackBerry, which is a pretty big movie for Canada.” 

In addition, Big Small Town features Manitoba comedians, Spencer Adamus, Jane Testar, Emmanuel Lomuro, Quinn Green, Jaydin Pommer, Garrett LeBlanc, Tyler Kotowski, and the list keeps going.  

This past Saturday, Robinson says Folks Films held a premiere event at the Gas Station Arts Centre for everyone involved in the show as well as people from the Manitoba film industry. 

“It just shows how people are so willing to come together and celebrate each other and work together.” She adds “it was fantastic. Red carpet, photographer, the whole deal.” 

Big Small Town is currently available to Bell customers on the Bell Fibe TV streaming service.