“The BisonBuddy5000” Skimbosh (USA)

──What inspired you to create this film for GIFF 2025?

I wasn't going to enter. I made a YouTube Short about the Bison Buddy, just to make myself laugh, and my pal Komikino suggested it would make a good entry, so I added on another minute and submitted it. I have submitted for GIFF in the past, so I was familiar with the 'vibe' that HQ likes for their entries.

──How many people worked on your film, and how long did the production take?

Just me, in my backyard. The Bison Buddy is really just a portable work-stand for bicycles that I attached a few things to. I used to work in customer service, so I knew exactly how I should talk to sound like an infomercial.

──What was the most memorable or challenging part of making your film?

The challenging part was to not look too crazy to my neighbor, who was also in his backyard. I half-heartedly explained what I was doing, but I'm pretty sure he thinks I lost my mind walking around filming a bike stand.

──Is there a moment in your film that you hope geocachers around the world will notice or appreciate?

The line, "The days of calling on the gods for vengeance against nano cache owners is over!" seems to have resonated with some of the people I have talked to. Geocaching is a great game because of all the versatility, but it seems the majority of people I have encountered wouldn't mind if all nanos on the Earth suddenly disappeared, like some sort of Nano Rapture.

──Please share a message for geocachers in Japan.

Geocaching is only as good as we, the players, make it. Don't put out caches "because there was some room without one" on the map. Give it a reason to be there. Make it personal. Make it worth it. Also, remember this tip: if you are going to try and be stealthy by pretending to be on your cell phone, don't forget to turn the ringer off. Nothing is more embarrassing than getting a real phone call during your fake phone call. Now that I think about it, I have gotten real good at my fake phone calls. I pretend what I think the other person is saying, and lots of times I pretend that the person I am talking to is going through some issues, like changing a tire. Sometimes I forget that I am looking for a geocache because I am so wrapped up in this imaginary conversation. I'm sorry, I tried to answer this question in a positive way but then by brain just spilled all over.

Well, I am flattered that you have an interest in any of this, and I wish you well on your podcast. Be safe!

You can hear what it was and some of the messages I got in this video -

出演：Skimbosh、tonitta2199、Jin Kakino