“Back Alley Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of Yule Log”: A Satirical Spin on Small-Town Scandal

We’re thrilled to introduce Matt Barrett and Kyle Bishop, amazing screenwriters, who are making waves in the industry! Their latest project, “Back Alley Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of Yule Log” has earned them a spot as finalists for the Best Mockumentary Film Award at the Houston Comedy Film Festival. In the satirical mockumentary Back Alley Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of Yule Log, Canadian directors Kyle Bishop and Matt Barrett take viewers on an eccentric journey through the twisted tale of Yule Log, a character as bizarre as the film’s title. Drawing inspiration from their own childhood memories and a play on words, the duo weaves a darkly comedic narrative that blurs the line between absurdity and reality.

The Origins of Yule Log
The concept behind Back Alley Hollywood is rooted in a peculiar figure from Kyle and Matt’s past. Yul Laug, a kindly yet deeply troubled groundskeeper at their junior high school, left a lasting impression on the two. Yul was a man of contrasts—dedicated to bringing joy to children, yet secretly harboring a darker side that ultimately led to his downfall. “We did a bit of a ‘play on words’ with his name,” Kyle explains, adding a layer of whimsy to an otherwise grim inspiration.

While the real Yul Laug’s story ended in tragedy, Kyle and Matt have transformed his legacy into a work of dark humor, parodying the true crime genre and poking fun at the very notion of heroism and villainy in today’s media landscape.

Challenges and Existential Dread
The production of Back Alley Hollywood wasn’t without its hurdles. Kyle recalls the existential weight of human sentience as one of the most challenging aspects of making the film. “Having to look at ourselves in the mirror every day and ask if any of this is even worth it—it was tough,” he shares, blending humor with a touch of introspective darkness. 

More tangibly, the team faced some sound issues during the filming of the Tara Reid Cryodrac® scene—a minor but memorable obstacle in the making of the film. Matt, ever the comic, jokes about the discomfort of asking Professional Actors™ to participate in their outlandish project, noting that some won’t even return their calls now.

A Lifelong Collaboration
Kyle and Matt’s journey in filmmaking began long before Back Alley Hollywood. The two have been creating films together since they were children, making stop-motion animations and skits with a family camcorder. “As you can see, we’ve only marginally improved,” Kyle quips, reflecting on their long-standing partnership.

While Back Alley Hollywood might mark the end of their careers—or, as Matt jokingly puts it, “a good run”—the duo isn’t ruling out future projects. There’s even talk of a second episode of Back Alley Hollywood, though the idea of disappearing into the frozen obscurity of the Canadian media landscape seems just as likely.

Looking Ahead
As for what’s next, Kyle and Matt have their sights set on real estate investment—though whether they’re serious or just having a bit of fun with the idea is anyone’s guess. They even take a moment to pitch their no-risk investment opportunity, underscoring the unpredictable and tongue-in-cheek nature of their creative process.

Get In Touch
For future projects, Matt can be reached through his website, Bad Thing Creative. Feel free to contact Matt and Kyle via email: ​​matt@badthingcreative.com, kylebish@gmail.com.

Memberships and Affiliations
When it comes to affiliations, Kyle and Matt keep things light. Kyle half-jokingly claims membership in the Illuminati—an organization that might have slipped his mind was supposed to remain secret—while Matt proudly declares himself a Subway Rewards member, adding yet another layer of humor to their unconventional approach to filmmaking.

Final Thoughts
Back Alley Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of Yule Log is a film that defies easy categorization. It’s a satire, a mockumentary, and a comedy all rolled into one, driven by the unique vision of Kyle Bishop and Matt Barrett. Whether this marks the end of their creative journey or just another chapter in their ongoing partnership, one thing is certain: they’ve left an indelible mark on the world of indie filmmaking, and they’ve done it on their own terms.

From the Film Festival Circuit Founder, Mikal Fair: