Less than two weeks ago, Dan Milano of Wooden Nickel Shorts became the first member to earn money using our brand new Tongal Referral Program. The premise is pretty simple – you invite creators to join Tongal and we pay you if they win specific phases of certain projects. Naturally, I was curious to hear about Dan's experience with the program and how he found the most convincing Obama Impersonator we've ever seen.
Caleb Light-Wills – How does it feel to be the first Tongaler to reap the rewards of our new Referral Program?
Dan Milano – I win $500 dollars, so I feel like a million bucks! Minus 999,500 bucks. That's still a pretty great feeling though.
C.L.W. – Who exactly did you refer and what were the circumstances?
D.M. – So my coworker met Reggie Brown (Obama impersonator extra-ordinaire) at a party and she passed around videos of his impressions to a few of us at the office. His look was uncanny, making for a spot-on Obama. It was only a week later that I learned that Tongal, Binaca and Team Tiger Awesome were teaming up for a contest that involved a search for Obama impressionist. This contest featured, for the first time ever, a prize for those that referred any winning actors! Whoa!
I called my coworker immediately asking if she perchance had his contact information. Heck yes she did, she even had his card! I marked the date that Tongal's casting calls would begin on my calendar, hoping to be the first to send him the contest referral. That I did and he rocked the audition! I've never even met Reggie before, but I was rewarded for finding his contact info and referring him to Tongal. How awesome is that? Clearly he deserved it too. Glad he's finding success!
C.L.W. – How much did you get paid?
D.M. – 500 smackeroos!
C.L.W. – How much time did you spend doing it?
D.M. – Couldn't have been more than 15 minutes tops of recommendations and emails.
C.L.W. – So, overall a worthwhile experience?
D.M. – The word "duh" comes to mind.
C.L.W. – Will you be referring more creators?
D.M. – Certainly for actors. Finally, something I can do for my talented, unemployed actor pals besides "like" their professional pages on Facebook. On a side note, I actually referred a winning animator last year, Jeff Gill who took home the prize for the Firefly bumper. So for animation references, I'd certainly do that again too!
C.L.W. – What are you going to spend the money on?
D.M. – I am starting a small business this summer that is going to put comedy into wedding videography! Were calling it "Wedding Your Pants", and putting that money toward equipment purchases! Check Facebook.com/WeddingYourPants for more info!
