Canada Laughs’ Ben Miner Remembers Matthiew Klinck

Canadian filmmaker Matthiew Klinck.

If you’ve been reading the news in Canada over the last week then you’ve probably heard about the Canadian filmmaker who was murdered in Belize. His name was Matthiew Klinck and he was one of my best friends. He was a director, producer, writer, comedian and a bunch of other amazing things – my best way of describing Matthiew is Rushmore meets Hunter S Thompson meets Ernest Hemingway. This is my tribute to my friend.

I first met Matthiew in the fall of 1999 when I was attending Algonquin College and enrolled in their broadcasting program (go figure). I had started performing stand-up the previous winter and one of my classmates invited me to come audition with him for this new sketch troupe which was being put together by a guy who had one of the first shows on the Comedy Network here in Canada, a sketch show called YB Normal. That guy was Matthiew Klinck and I had no idea how much of an impact this person was going to have on my life.

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 09:  Tyler Eifert #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a reception in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 9, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Matthiew and I

The summer of 2000 is when I really got to know Matthiew. My buddy Nic Sulsky had plans to produce a kid’s show on summer camps and I was going to be a part of it. Our DOP, Christian Bielz, suggested that Nic meet with Matthiew and all it took was one meeting for Klinck to join the crew. That summer saw 7 of us cram into a Club Wagon van and haul ass across North America. That’s where I got to see Klinck in full action and it was something else. He could do everything on a production. Shoot, edit, direct, produce, act – he was even a licensed pyrotechnics handler. He did everything and did it well.

One camp we went to had a yearly “colour war” week, where the camp was divided into Team Blue and Team Red. We were meeting with the staff to discuss things to shoot there and that was one of the events we all agreed would be great for the show. They always had a big spectacular kick-off for colour wars though, and this year they were stumped as to what to do. That’s when Matthiew said he could build a bomb and launch a massive fireball into the sky to kick off the week. And that’s just what happened.

We dug a big hole in the ground several hundred yards away from where all the campers were huddled. Empty tuna cans got packed with gun-powder, freezer bags filled with gasoline, wires were laid and when the councillors yelled “Colour war!” the sky was filled with the biggest damn fireball I will ever see. The ground shook, the kids lost their shit and the excitement level for that year’s camp colour war was off the scales, all because of Matthiew. He made it that much more special. That’s what he did, he made things better. Always.

I ended up being selected for the troupe and for the next few weeks acquainted myself with the genius that was Klinck. I found out he had been making films and winning awards since he was 12. He had written plays as a child, done claymation, made music videos and had plans for dozens of other projects. This was an ambitious human and a rare instance where the talent and drive were there to support that ambition. He was staggering. I consider myself a hard worker and creative person but I always felt like a bit of a fraud around Matthiew; he was pure art and everything seemed to come naturally to him. And he worked so hard. His show, YB Normal, aired on the Comedy Network from 1998-1999, which means production would have started somewhere around late 1997/early 1998. Matthiew would have been 19 going on 20 around that time and he was producing, acting in and directing a nationally broadcasted television show. Unreal.

The production wraps but Klinck and I keep hanging. I’m around 20 years old at this point and still very new to stand-up, the support and encouragement I’m receiving from friends and Matthiew in particular is really the main thing pushing me on-stage and off. Matthiew is inspiring, I want to go do things. I want to be busy like Matthiew. I start voluntering on local productions which leads to actual work as a production assistant. I name drop Matthiew constantly and everyone knows and loves him. Sometimes you build people up in your head when they’re someone you look up to only to find out you were way off. When it came to Matthiew it seemed as though he was limitless and absolutely everyone who knew him shared that opinion. There was no one better to turn to for advice and inspiration, his energy was infectious and addictive. Matthiew was someone you could take large doses of, I just couldn’t get enough of him. He was the big brother I never had. When Klinck moved to Toronto I wasn’t far behind, I would crash on his couch while I scouted the city and he got me sets around town.

In 2004 I spoke before the CRTC in regards to satellite radio coming to Canada and I remember thinking I have an opportunity here, I should try to be funny in my speech. What would Klinck do? But I didn’t have to guess and wonder, I just called him up and ran a couple jokes by him.

“Do it. Absolutely do it, Miner.”

And I did. It worked out pretty well for me. I moved to Toronto shortly after and I’ve been here since. But Klinck was about to go global.

He travelled a lot and all across the world. He lived in Vietnam, shot stuff in China and would eventually wind up in Belize. He thought it was a great place to live but the country didn’t have a film industry. What did Matthiew do? He created that industry. From the bottom up. Trained everyone personally too, shot the first feature film in Belize’s history and produced the country’s first soap opera. He did such a good job of building that scene up that the CBS show, Criminal Minds, had begun shooting a spinoff there and Matthiew was the head of their shooting unit. His career saw him work with people such as Joe Mantegna, Chris Klein and Gary Sinise. He was starting to work with Amazon Studios on a new series starring Michael Imperioli and Steve Zhan. He was big time. He was Klinck.

I get sad when I think about him now but that sadness always gets broken up with awesome memories and inspiring moments. There was the time we were on a shoot in Mont Tremblant enjoying drinks on the patio when Matthiew overheard two people speaking German so he just sat at their table and started speaking German with them and I was referred to as “son of the grizzly bear” (Klinck spoke 4 languages btw – English, French, German and was learning Spanish). Or the time I was having a really awful birthday and Klinck & Christian showed up to make sure I celebrated the day.

The time Alliance Atlantis picked up his film for distribution. Or all the times Matthiew came out to watch and shoot my sets even though he had heard me do those jokes a bunch. He was incredible. Now please go find his movies and watch them. My faves are Greg & Gentillon and Hank & Mike. Go celebrate my friend, he was amazing. I can’t call him up anymore for advice but when in doubt, I can and will always ask myself “What would Matthiew do” and act accordingly.

Name/Description
Name
Description
Ch #

Today's Pop Hits

Today's Pop Hits with The Morning Mash Up, Mack & Jen Middays, Tony & Symon Afternoons & Mikey Piff Evenings

2

Unwell Music

Daddy's Unwell soundtrack

Daddy's Unwell soundtrack XL

Alex Cooper's Unwell soundtrack - where her middle school iPod and recent obsessions collide.

3

TikTok Radio

Trending sounds from TikTok

Trending sounds from TikTok XL

Trending sounds and songs from the FYP presented by TikTok Creators.

4

The Pulse

Today’s Adult Hits

Today’s Adult Hits

Songs you may know the words to even if you don't have time to keep up. It's YOUR pop on The Pulse.

5

PopRocks

Rock & Pop from the '90s & 2Ks

Rock & Pop from the '90s & 2Ks

Rock songs that became pop hits from the 90s & 2000s

6

'70s Pop Hits

Pop tunes and pop DJs from the wild and funky decade of mood rings, disco and bell bottoms! The Super 70s!

7

‘80s Pop Hits

The defining hit music of the '80s. Featuring the original MTV VJs Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood, Alan Hunter and Martha Quinn.

8

‘90s Pop Hits

Hit music that defined the '90s.

9

2000s pop hits

Hear the hits from the 2000s that hit you right in the memories. It's all the songs you have a story about.

10

The 10s Spot

Pop hits from the 2010s!

Pop hits from the 2010s!

Your 2010s spot! From Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Fall Out Boy & more! We’re not stuck in the 10s, we like it here!

11

The music of Kelly Clarkson

Make yourself comfortable in Kelly’s world with personal picks and stories behind the music plus special features!

12

Worldwide Rhythmic Hits

Open format club DJs dropping the biggest hits from all genres around the world. From POP, to Hip-Hop, to Latin & Dance.

13

Life With John Mayer

Music for the moment hand-selected by John Mayer featuring exclusive songs, commentary and tracks from his collection.

14

Yacht Rock Radio

Smooth-sailing soft rock from the late '70s and early '80s.

Smooth-sailing soft rock from the late '70s and early '80s.

Smooth-sailing soft rock from the late '70s and early '80s. It's the kind of rock that doesn’t rock the boat!

15

Bright Pop Hits

Nice & easy pop from superstars like Lionel Richie, Elton John & Whitney Houston!

16

The Coffee House

Acoustic/Singer-Songwriters

Acoustic/Singer-Songwriters

A laid-back mix of acoustic and stripped down songs.

17

The Coffee House (formerly ch. 3) is now on channel 17.

The Fab Four, 24/8

John, Paul, George, and Ringo changed music forever. The songs, stories, influences and legacy of the Beatles - 24/8!

18

Bob's Music/Family Recordings

Now hear Bob’s music in one place- including rare gems, his family’s recordings, and music from Tuff Gong.

19

E Street Radio

Bruce Springsteen 24/7

Bruce Springsteen 24/7

Concert recordings and more from Bruce Springsteen 24/7.

20

Underground Garage

Little Steven's Garage Rock

Little Steven's Garage Rock

The coolest rock 'n' roll records. Channel produced by Little Steven.

21

Pearl Jam, 24/7

Studio tracks, b-sides and concert recordings from Pearl Jam 24/7.

22

Grateful Dead 24/7

Concert recordings and more from the Grateful Dead 24/7.

23

Escape to Margaritaville

Escape to Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville.

24

Classic Rewind

'70s/'80s Classic Rock

'70s/'80s Classic Rock

Classic Rock's second generation, with songs from the late '70s onward.

25

Classic Vinyl

'60s and '70s Classic Rock

'60s and '70s Classic Rock

Top classic rock tracks from the '60s and '70s.

26

The Bridge

Mellow Classic Rock

Mellow Classic Rock

Mellow classic rock and '70s folk rock.

27

The Spectrum

Classic Rock Meets New Rock

Classic Rock Meets New Rock

Where classic rock meets new rock.

28

Phish Radio

The Phish Universe On SiriusXM

The Phish Universe On SiriusXM

Concerts, live tracks, and commentary from the band. The entire Phish multi-verse, including 'Ask Trey' with Trey Anastasio.

29

24/7 Dave Matthews Band

DMB hits, fan favorites, rarities, live trax, complete concerts, and music from other artists they love.

30

Tom Petty Radio

Music From Rock Icon Tom Petty

Music From Rock Icon Tom Petty

Music from Tom Petty's entire Rock & Roll Hall of Fame career, plus Tom's critically acclaimed Buried Treasure radio show.

31

U2 X – Radio

The Whole World of U2

The Whole World of U2

Music and more from the Northside of Dublin and beyond. Inspiration, conversation, meditation. This is U2.

32

1st Wave

Classic Alternative

Classic Alternative

Classic Alternative & New Wave.

33

Lithium

'90s Alternative/Grunge

'90s Alternative/Grunge

90s alternative & grunge rock. You'll hear Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Weezer, Oasis & more.

34

Indie & Beyond

Groundbreaking sounds, emerging artists, and indie classics.

35

Alt Nation

New Alternative Rock

New Alternative Rock

Connect with the latest & greatest from the biggest artists in modern alternative & discover what's next in alternative, first!

36

New Hard Rock XL

High-powered new hard rock that's loud, uncensored, and connected to the people who love it!

37

Ozzy’s Boneyard

Ozzy's Classic Hard Rock

Ozzy's Classic Hard Rock

Hard & heavy classic rock under the influence of Ozzy Osbourne.

38

Hair Nation

80's Hair Metal & Glam

80's Hair Metal & Glam

Hair Metal, Glam and Hard Rock from 80's Hair Bands!

39

Heavy Metal XL

The heaviest metal on or off the planet, from the ones that created it all the way to the ones that are perfecting it today.

40

'90s/2000s Hard Rock XL

90s and 2000s Hard Rock from Metallica, KoRn, Godsmack and more!

41

LL Cool J's Classic Hip-Hop XL

LL COOL J's Rock The Bells Radio is a channel dedicated exclusively to Hip-Hop fans who want that classic Hip-Hop sound.

43

Hip-Hop Hits XL

Hip-Hop Nation is the sound of the culture with hits from Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, 21 Savage, Drake, Cardi B. and more.

44

Shade 45

Eminem's Hip-Hop Channel

Eminem's Hip-Hop Channel XL

Shade 45, the uncensored hip-hop channel created by Eminem.

45

The Heat

Hot R&B & Hip-Hop

Hot R&B & Hip-Hop

What's HOT now, in R&B and Hip-Hop!

46

Adult R&B Hits

R&B from today and back in the day.

47

The Flow

R&B Hits from the 2000's

R&B Hits from the 2000's

Hear R&B vibes from the 2000's and 2010's. From Usher to SZA, it's all the R&B hits since the turn of the millennium!

48

Flex2K

Hip-Hop Hits from the 2000’s

Hip-Hop Hits from the 2000’s

Hip-Hop hits from the 2000’s and 2010’s 24/7, featuring some of the biggest names in rap.

49

SiriusXM Fly

'90s & 2000s Hip-Hop/R&B

'90s & 2000s Hip-Hop/R&B XL

Hip-Hop and R&B from the '90s & 2000s.

50

'70s/'80s R&B

Dance and Party grooves with Old School R&B from the '70s and '80s jams.

51

BPM

Electronic Dance Music Hits

Electronic Dance Music Hits

BPM plays the biggest artists in Dance/Electronic music like ILLENIUM, Marshmello, Alison Wonderland, Joel Corry and more.

52