Finally some good news.
2020 and so far 2021 have not been kind to the youth of the world. Harrison Houde and Pink Shirt Day Founder Travis Price bring children some positive news with their interview series “Stories of Kindness.” The series was created “to be a positive outlet for children to find creativity and kindness through embracing the oral traditions of storytelling.” Helping to share the stories are “Schitt’s Creek’s Sarah Levy, “Disney’s Descendents’ Dylan Playfair, “Kim’s Convenience’s Andrea Bang, the BC Lions’ Emmanuel Arceneaux, and more. Episodes center on conversations and themes including simple acts of kindness, cyberbullying, and online learning.
Houde is best known for his roles in popular children’s shows and like “Finding Stuff Out,” “Diary of a Whimpy Kid,” “Some Assembly Required,” “Fairly Odd Parents,” and more. The creativity targets Gen Z and Millennials with his YouTube can boast over a million hits, and his Tik Tok has over 2 million! Along with “Stories of Kindness” he has a half Japanese / half English short film in the works.
The series premiered on March 27th, with an episode that will be airing weekly on the “Stories of Kindness’ website and YouTube channel. Be sure to tune and stick around for more.
Colleen Bement: Thank you both for taking the time out for this interview. My first question is where did the idea for “Stories of Kindness” come from?
Harrison Houde: Andy at WITS Programs actually was inspired by John Krasinsky’s show “Some Good News.” He had written up this idea and came to me to pitch and develop it further.
CB: This project sounds amazing and it could not have better timing. What is your target audience and what do you hope they will get out of it?
HH: The target audience is young, 6-12. But, I honestly believe “Stories Of Kindness” can be, and should be for everyone! Everyone can share and listen to kindness.
CB: Can your fans look forward to any other new music or acting projects in the near future?
HH: I am working on so much stuff right now — I have some new Synthwave music out under Tokyo Rat and am working on a bigger project for that (early stages). Film-wise, I have several scripts. One I am really excited about is currently titled “Goat Town” and it is based on my hometown Qualicum on Vancouver Island. It’s a coming of age comedy and I really believe in the story and the script. It’s hilarious — I co-wrote it with my friend and awesome writing partner Dakota Daulby and our manager Joe at Allagash Entertainment is currently helping us pitch it! We just started and so far have had only positive reactions which is exciting. I am also directing and acting in a short film this summer called “Cafe Racer.” It’s half Japanese / half English and Dakota and I’s production company Vesperia Films and Connect With One Productions LTD. will be producing it with executive producer Ali Ghahary. On the acting front, auditions are just picking up again and I am excited to be going for adult comedies and dramas. I am being a bit choosier with projects but am excited to see some cool scripts in my inbox.
CB: Harrison, you have had great success at creating and managing your YouTube channel. Would you happen to have any advice for future content creators?
HH: Honestly, just make stuff you want to make. I like making the videos I make — and that’s all that matters at the end of the day. Making stuff that is rewarding to yourself — then it doesn’t matter if it is “successful” in the sense of views and likes or subscribers. It is successful in the sense that I made what I wanted, had fun doing it, and that’s all that really matters. I like making 10 second Tik Toks sometimes, and I also like making silly vlogs, or skits, or parodies! Whatever!
I will leave you with my favorite quote right now…“Connect with one, connect with all. Connect with all, connect with none.” -someone
I wanna put that on my wall or something.
Written by Colleen Bement
Hi, I’m Lynn, and I Make.
Props, Cosplay, Scale Models, Home Projects and just about anything else that involves me Making.
Imagine Peace: A Year of Gifting
Imagine Peace: A Year of Gifting author, Aleta Antoinette, will host a Pre-Release reading on March 31st from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom.
Join in to hear the mission of the book, learn about the 80+ charities across the globe and how you can purchase a copy of the book from Tattered Cover available soon.
Evan Conroy
Ron Peterson