In just a few weeks, Murena Entertainment heads back into the studio to kick off production on Season 16 of I Spot Santa! And, this year’s Chip & Bernie short film might be our most ambitious yet.
I’ve been a family-friendly comedy writer & director for nearly 20 years, creating characters and stories kids love and parents trust. And while I’ve done a lot under Murena Entertainment, few projects bring me as much joy as writing for Chip and Bernie.
Every time I think I’ve put these two through enough chaos, I find new ways to make Bernie suffer. (Don’t worry — he survives. Barely.)
Building the New Adventure
This script is special. For the first time in years, I had 30 full days to write, which meant rewrites, refinement, and a story that’s tighter, faster, and funnier.
The heart of the story? Two brand-new gremlin-like troublemakers who literally come to life and… Well, let’s just say they don’t exactly read the manual before causing absolute havoc at the North Pole.
Two Decades of Storytelling (and Counting)
Through Murena Entertainment, I’ve created content that kids love and parents trust across a range of projects. Still, Chip & Bernie hold a special place in my heart:
- 3 short films
- 1 feature film (Chip and Bernie’s Zomance)
- 25+ sketches
- 50+ film festival appearances
- 25M+ total views
And that’s just Chip & Bernie. Over my career, I’ve produced, written, and directed award-winning family-friendly content across multiple shows and specials. But these two knuckleheads are my slapstick-comedy salute. Timeless characters that make kids laugh, parents smile, and me wonder how Marc Robert still takes my calls after 20 years.
A Laurel & Hardy Salute — With Marc Robert
Chip and Bernie have always been my personal tribute to the great comedy duos — Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello, Hope and Crosby. But none of this would work without Marc Robert, my partner-in-crime for nearly two decades and the Bernie to my Chip.
Marc isn’t just my best friend; he’s the heartbeat of these characters.
He doesn’t just perform Bernie, he elevates him. Together, we’ve created characters that have lasted across generations of kids and families, and that’s no small thing. You find me another pair on screen from today that loves what they do as much as us.
Bigger Sets, Wilder Props, More Chaos
This year, we’re going big with this short film:
- 20+ handcrafted props
- 2 brand-new sets
- 2 new puppets that were made just for this film
- Wild special effects designed for maximum laughs
- And a first-ever crossover with the new Kent Cook, our North Pole’s most accident-prone reporter
I can’t spoil much, but let’s say… Kent’s “help” doesn’t exactly help.
A Holly Jolly Team
Producing under Murena Entertainment has taught me one thing: above all, family-friendly comedy thrives on collaboration. In fact, every laugh, every perfectly-timed pratfall, and every ounce of heart comes from a team pulling together. From Marc’s brilliant physical comedy to our talented puppeteers, set builders, and effects artists, every contribution matters.
Because of that teamwork, we’ve been able to create characters and stories that connect with kids and parents year after year. Furthermore, that same spirit of collaboration is why I’d love to bring my experience as a family-friendly comedy writer & director to larger teams building positive, impactful content.
Why We Keep Coming Back
Every December, we get notes from parents telling us their kids have memorized Chip’s one-liners or reenact Bernie’s falls around the living room. My favorites, though, are the ones written by the kids themselves:
“Dear Mr. Chip, you’re funny.” – Ellie, age 6 (and believe it or not I didn’t have to pay that kid!)
“Bernie falling is funny. Make him fall more.” – Noah, age 7 (don’t worry kiddo, he will)
“You guys are so funny. My dad laughs louder than me.” – Harper, age 8 (this is a family that is going somewhere)
That’s why we do it, because the laughs stick, the characters connect, and families make I Spot Santa part of their holiday traditions. I really love the emails we get on the site!
Ready to Spot Some Holiday Fun?
Production kicks off in just a few weeks, and I couldn’t be more excited about what we’re building at Murena Entertainment. With that in mind, this year’s short film feels bigger and bolder than anything we’ve done before. Between the new characters, Chip & Bernie’s perfectly-timed disasters, Kent Cook’s chaotic “contributions,” and a few surprises we can’t spoil yet, this short film is shaping up to be something truly special. As a result, it’s one of our most ambitious projects yet, and we can’t wait to share it.
And while this is a peek into our latest adventure, it’s also a look at how we work. Collaborative, family-focused, and built on a team of ridiculously talented people who make the impossible possible.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly comedy writer/director/producer who knows how to make kids laugh, parents trust, and teams thrive, let’s connect.