Shrine Circus
Minot, North Dakota · Final Performance
Ken "Dizzy" Gillespie has been making people laugh since before most of his audience was born. He performed as a Shrine clown for 53 years. He was Boss Clown at the North Dakota State Fair for 37 years. In 2020, he was elected President of the International Shrine Clown Association — the first person from North Dakota ever to hold that office, the top position in Shrine clowning internationally. His wife Claudia performed alongside him as "Cloudy" until her death in 2015.
This commercial was made during his final performing year. We recorded Ken putting on his makeup: the kit, the hands, and the mirror, set to Debussy's Clair de Lune. No narration. No explanation. Just the ritual, one last time.
The long-form piece built to honor Dizzy's legacy — 53 years of bringing joy to families across North Dakota and beyond.
The graphic spot — built for broadcast and digital, driving ticket sales for the Shrine Circus with the urgency of a final performance.
A one-minute version for social channels, preserving the makeup ritual and the final-performance message.
Full Deliverables
53 years. One final performance.
Produced by Corey Long. Directed and shot by Derek Olson. 4 deliverables across broadcast, digital, and social.
Corey Long — Producer · Derek Olson — Director / Cinematographer