About

Shawn Kupfer

Shawn Kupfer was born on Ellsworth Air Force Base in the Rapid City, South Dakota area in July 1978. In what was most likely a “villagers with pitchforks” situation, he fled the state six weeks later, then spent the next 34 years bouncing from one city to another. He’s racked up more than 15 hometowns, so even he isn’t sure where he’s from.

In February 2009, Shawn anonymously started the Twitter Novel Project, where he posted novel-length works in 140-character chunks. In July of that year, he abandoned the anonymity factor. The second Twitter Novel Project book, 47 Echo, was picked up for publication by Carina Press soon after. The sequel, Supercritical, came out in June 2012. Shawn continues to update the Twitter Novel Project when the spirit moves him, as well as working on other novel projects (both in and out of the 47 Echo universe). He currently survives on a steady diet of coffee and king cake, and has the pale, waxy skin to prove it.

Visit Shawn’s other home on the Web, or follow him on Twitter. Get Shawn’s writing here.

Christopher Gronlund

Christopher Gronlund was born on the north side of Chicago in 1969, and later swept up to the northern suburbs where he lived until being dragged to Texas when he was 15. Along the way he taught himself to juggle and write.

These days, he helps and entertains people by moving words around pages and screens. Christopher’s writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines, comic books, and the Web. He blogs at The Juggling Writer and has juggled pretty much all there is to juggle, with the exception of chainsaws. Someday…

Visit Christopher’s other home on the Web, or follow him on Twitter. Get Christopher’s writing here.

Gorilla Studios East Crew

Ziva — Truffle Pig/SFX/Biological Warfare Specialist

Ziva was part of a package deal when Shawn and his wife took in Rocky and her. Christopher has never met a dog that makes him laugh as much as Ziva — she might be his all-time favorite dog, in fact!

Ziva snores with her eyes open, and she can clear a room with a quick release of gas. You know the really, REALLY weird kid who stared at things in school? Yeah, that’s Ziva. But we love her anyway…

Photos: Lisa Kupfer

Viktor — Idea Man

As we approach 150 episodes (and beyond), it would seem easy to run out of ideas. But with Viktor on our side, we are ensured perpetual shows. It’s not uncommon to see him raise his head from his food bowl and howl, “A show about Concerts and another about Pets!” — only to return to eating.

The newest member of the Men in Gorilla Suits production staff, Viktor is also a would-be escape expert who destroyed Shawn’s knee with telekinesis (or maybe he just made a break for it and Shawn’s old battlin’ knee was not pleased with the way Shawn twisted and moved).

Photo: Lisa Kupfer

Sagan — Future Thought Design

Sagan came to Men if Gorilla Suits’ Studio East on August 18, 2018.

Sagan gazes through the firmament, and sees all. What we can only imagine, Sagan knows. The thoughts and dreams of humanity are seen with Sagan’s skyward gaze.

To that end, the future of the show is solid. If at anytime the Gorillamen seem lost, all they have to do is speak to Sagan and all questions are answered.

(That pretty much makes us immortal…)

Photo: Lisa Kupfer

In Memoriam

Sadie — Psychic Muppet

The real mind behind Men in Gorilla Suits! In human years, Sadie was 17, but she seemed to have been around since the beginning of time. Fearless and funny; smarter than most humans and more laid back, Sadie lived a long life any of us would be so lucky to live.

And we were lucky to know her.

Photo: Lisa Kupfer

 

Rocky — Producer

Rocky might have appeared to always be sleeping, but it was only to lure Shawn and Christopher into a false sense of security. Any slacking and Rocky ensured the Gorillamen stayed on track!

In real life, Rocky wasn’t doing so well when Shawn and his wife, Lisa, took him in. Through their care and Rocky’s strength for such a little guy, he spent the last years of his life happy…and making others happy. He’ll definitely be missed; we’re all better people having known him!

Photo: Lisa Kupfer

Edie — Sound Tech

Sometimes there aren’t enough words — or the words that are there just hurt.

Simply put, Edie was the best!

Photo: Lisa Kupfer