#Tom Kuntz

[bradyoil]

Deconstructing Work With Visionary Commercial Director Tom Kuntz, Part Two.

Commercial Director Tom Kuntz shares more insights into his process. We discuss his philosophy around collaboration over the years, from thinking input wasn’t needed early on to now embracing other creative minds. The importance of respecting all involved in the process is emphasized. Valuable perspective is offered for any filmmaker on realizing their vision. This is the exciting conclusion to…

[two-entire-bits]

Got my dates mixed up and thought rj & co were leaving on threshold day and for a few moments I lived in a world where imagining that rj & co are leaving the show to fly warp 10 and turn into salamanders was a competent thought

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist 2000

"Frontier Psychiatrist" is a song by Australian electronic music group the Avalanches, that was released on 21 August 2000 as the second single from the group's debut album Since I Left You. It is built around several elements sampled from other music; Avalanches members Robbie Chater and Darren Seltman sampled music from several vinyl records in the production and creation of Since I Left You. The prominent orchestral sample heard throughout the track is sourced from a recording by the Enoch Light Singers of the 1968 composition "My Way of Life". The track also contains several vocal samples of Canadian comedy duo Wayne and Shuster, the most prominent of these samples taken from the duo's comedy routine "Frontier Psychiatrist", as well as the John Waters movie Polyester.

Only the aforementioned samples are credited in the liner notes of Since I Left You; various other uncredited samples are used in the track, with sources ranging from Harvey Mandel's 1968 cover of the spiritual "Wade in the Water", and comedy routines by Flip Wilson, sketches from Sesame Street, and Maurice Jarre's main theme from Lawrence of Arabia. The closing mariachi band plays "El Negro Zumbón", first performed by Flo Sandon's, who doubles Silvana Mangano in the 1951 movie Anna.

Upon release, it peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart and number 49 in the group's native Australia, becoming their first single to enjoy commercial success. "Frontier Psychiatrist" was well received by music critics, who praised the Avalanches' use of samples.

The "Frontier Psychiatrist" music video, directed by Tom Kuntz and Mike Maguire, was the runner-up in the "Best Music Video" category at the 2002 Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival. Pitchfork Media placed the video at number 19 on their list of the "Top 50 Music Videos of the 2000s". An alternative video was made, featuring actors acting out the 'dialogue' of the track in various scenes, including a psychiatrist's office and "Dexter's" bedroom. In addition, Rorschach ink-blots are animated to reflect various samples in the track.

"Frontier Psychiatrist" received a total of 73,2% yes votes!

[alanbates]

march's jukebox!

1. Caifanes — Caifanes

2. Virus — Relax

3. Charly García — Parte De La Religion

4. Soda Stereo — Comfort Y Música Para Volar

5. HalfNoise — City Talk

6. Virus — Agujero Interior

7. Almendra — El Valle Interior

8. Los Prisioneros — La Voz De Los 80

9. Marlene Kuntz — Catartica

10. Virus — Wadu Wadu

11. Gustavo Cerati — Bocanada

12. Elis Regina, Antonio Carlos Jobim — Elis & Tom

[squideo]

Advert Alchemy: Supernatural Skittles

In this series, Squideo has examined the best ways to turn advertising content into gold. Now that we’ve broken down the eight key ingredients, it’s time to dive deep into some examples of stellar advertising. This week, the advert in question was picked by Squideo’s Marketing Executive, Emily Woodcock.

When asked why this Skittles advert has become her favourite, Emily said: “I saw it on television while I was on holiday. Maybe that's why it stuck in my mind. The dark humour certainly caught my attention and I loved the reference to Midas (of Greek mythology). Despite the video's resolution quality, I also think it's aged really well.”

Skittles Dance

This is the second appearance of the Mars Inc. company in our Advert Alchemy series. We’ve dived into the background of this American business, so let’s focus on Skittles. The history of its creation is a bit murky, but it’s widely accepted that a small British manufacturer first launched Skittles in the mid-1970s. They were soon bought by Wrigley, which is also owned by Mars Inc., who took over distribution and brought the sweets to an international market in 1979.

Greatly resembling another Mars Inc. product, M&Ms, Skittles are distinguished by a small letter ‘S’ on their shell. The range of flavours has changed several times over the decades like many other Mars products, and variation flavours have also been sold such as Tropical and Wild Berry. Unlike other products under Mars Inc., there hasn’t been any major rebrands attached to Skittles. The name has never been changed and the branding remains recognisable decades apart.

The product was marketed a very specific way from the start, and was so successful it stuck. A rumour spread about the origins of the sweet that it was invented by a British confectioner who looked up at a rainbow and wondered how it would taste. The slogan – “Taste the rainbow” – wouldn’t be introduced until 1994, but the sweet has always had this colourful association which Wrigley’s marketers have loved to centre their campaigns around.

Somewhere Over the Skittles

Launched in 2007, Skittles’ advert was created by TBWA, Chiat and Day. The brand had already run a series of successful adverts, in terms of viewership and commercial impact, and audiences started to have high expectations from the brand.

According to the Art Director Craig Allen, “We wrote a lot of scripts [and] thought it would be funny to do a slightly sad spot for a candy brand.” Former GCD Ian Reichenthal said, “We had a lot of conversations with the guys in advance about trying out new voices, but still keeping it Skittles.” The brand guidelines were firmly in place for the creative team, unlike previous entries in the Advert Alchemy series who were looking to shake things up.

Skittles adverts often feature technically challenging shoots, such as the one centred around a Skittles tree growing out of a human being. Recreating the powers of Midas also proved to be difficult:

“The effects in the spot had never been done before so we had a lot of technical problems, which made for a very long shoot day. So long in fact that the police came to try and shut us down during the last hours of shooting. Luckily, Tom (Kuntz) is a very smooth gentleman and persuaded them to let us finish.”

Their hard work paid off, and the Midas Touch advert was ranked as Creativity Online's most watched spot of 2007. But why was Skittles’ Midas Touch such a big hit?

Skittles Connection

Mesmerizing Mythology

Named for the myth that inspired the advert’s plot, the Midas Touch gives the main character Tim a superpower: everything he touches turns into Skittles. Yummy. On the other, everything he touches turns into Skittles. Yikes. This is a spin on the Greek myth of King Midas, who wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Unfortunately, he didn’t think his wish through and Midas soon found he can’t eat. And when he tried to hug his daughter, he turned her into a gold statue.

This Greek myth remains popular in modern storytelling, which is why this fun spin on a well-known story worked so well. It also fits into the wider Skittles marketing strategy, which often uses the sweets in bizarre ways. In one advert, Bleachers, there is an outbreak which makes people break out in Skittles.

Snappy Slogan

“Taste the rainbow” was introduced as the Skittles slogan in 1994, but the marketing team have always kept this slogan adaptable and flexible. Usually it is accompanied with a tagline which can change to reflect the nature of the advert. In Midas Touch it’s “touch the rainbow, taste the rainbow” in reference to Tim’s superpower. In an advert featuring a tree which grows Skittles, the slogan is changed to “harvest the rainbow, taste the rainbow.”

The taglines use of verbs also reinforce that Skittles is an experience that the audience needs to actively participate in. Skittles isn’t just a snack, like the sweets aren’t just multicoloured. It’s a taste of the rainbow. And in the case of Midas, it’s as good as gold.

Cackling Comedy

Tim can’t hold his infant child, he can’t dress himself, or feed himself… then he tells the story of turning a man into Skittles that very day when they shook hands. Is that murder or manslaughter? Either way, Skittles’ Midas Touch is definitely running with dark comedy which helps make the advert even more memorable. Yet the plot is kept just light enough to avoid crossing into the macabre, by showing Tim’s power only used on inanimate objects.

Comedy is a staple of the Skittles brand, ranging from the bizarre to the grisly. They carry this over in all of their marketing, from adverts to their website. Customers now expect it of the brand, which has let the marketing team get ideas from well outside the box.

Content Worth Gold

What do you think? What made Skittles’ Midas Touch advert so successful? Watch the full advert below and let us know in the comments.

Get in touch with the Squideo team today to find out how we can improve your advertising strategy with video production, motion graphics, social media management and much more!

[lesterplatt]

Make it Ultra | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra from Sinan Sevinç on Vimeo.

Wherever life takes you, make it Ultra. Global campaign for Samsung – Introducing the all-new Watch Ultra, powered by Galaxy AI.

Make it Ultra | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (DC)

Prod Co: Stink Films

Client: Samsung Senior Marketing Manager: Robin Parker

Agency: BBH Singapore Chief Creative Officer: Sascha Kuntze Senior Copywriter: Ishan Venkat Associate Creative Director: Sid Lim Senior Art Director: Amos Mak Business Director: Jasmine Portman Account Director: Claire Wong Producers: Derri Ng, Shantelle Sim

Director: Sinan Sevinç Executive Producer: Jon Chads Producer: Shea Coleman Production Manager: Claire Adcock Director of Photography: Kristof Brandl Wardrobe: Tom Lipop @t.lipop

Lead Cast: Louis Boyer

Sounddesign: Berg&Dahl Audio Edit: Final Cut Edit Producer: Nikki Porter Editor: Joe Guest

Post Production: Black Kite Producer: Tamara Mennell VFX Supervisor: Charlie Bayliss VFX Lead: Lars Andersen Colourist: George Kyriacou Additional VFX: Spirit.View

SLOVENIA CREW Executive Producer: Jernej Krivic Line Producer: Lida Ashwell Ordnung Production Manager: Kaja Gulić Production Coordinator: Nina Wojčicki 1st AD: David Podgornik 2nd AD: Lada Sekulic Location Managers: Miha Repič, Tomaž Koleša, Iskren Jovandič Location Assistants: Gorazd Križanič, Andrej Lasic PA’s: Luka Medvedić, Tamara Antončič Unit PA’s: Tim Kern, Jošt Pengov Taranis Chaperone: Mihael Dnjiscic

Steadicam Operator: Ales Belak Underwater Operator: Joško Morović 1st AC: Edvard Hudi 2nd AC: Matija Domitrovič 2nd AC: Igor Vincetic Bolt Operator: Ante Delac, Matko Burić VTR: Lenart Kranjc, Toma Sablić DIT: Božo Zadravec

Drone Operator: Robert Gordijan Drone Pilot: Luka FPV Drone Operator: Benoit Finck FPV Drone Pilot: Le Brieuc Mercier

Key Grip: Damjan Straus Grip Best Boy: Luka Jelenič Grip: Boštjan Peterlin Ronin Grip: MIha Košir, Gašper Košir

Gaffer: Borut Cencelj Best Boy: Erik Rehberger

SFX: Primož Trkov

Production Designer: David Baxa Art Director: Dorian Korošec Props on Set: Jean Žvan Prosthetic Master: Johan Dagarin

Makeup/ Hair Artist: Nastja Korošec MU Assistant: Masa Pavlic Stylist: Timotej Rosc Stylist Assistants: Manca Udovič, Simona Korošec

Catering: Show Food Head of Catering: Gašper Markič Crafter: Sebastian Logar

Animal Wrangler: Mia Zahariaš Dog Owner: Tina Šolar

Medic on Set: Tomaž Pirih Mountain Safety: Jure Črnič, Boštjan Sovdat

Marine Coordinator: Marko Mitre Skippers: Goran Šimleša, Siniša Milutinović, Daniel Kušan, Manolo Peteršić, Ivica Mingon, Zec Dragan Diver Safety: Marko Murgons Security: Armin Kern Safety PA: Matej Mavri, Mitja Kravanja, Bruno Krneta

Transportation Captain: Jure Obrstar STIN Production Driver: Boris Adlesic Client & Agency Drivers: Thomas Bizjak, Vid Kavčič Entity Driver: Jan Petrovic Glam Driver: Andraž Zapotnik

Helicopter Pilot: Christian Schöpf Aerial Team: Sebastian Pöchlauer, Raphael Seebacher

Honey Wagon: Gregor Samardžič Maskbus: Jan Dijak Pistenbully: Drejc Podobnik

Stunt Coordinator: Filip Kržišnik Stunt Doubles: Blaž Stanič, Maks Veselko, Kalina Kranjec

Casting Director: Anka Aleksič

CAST Swimmer: Ida Paternost

MOROCCO CREW Biker Doubles: Daniel Woodward, Will Turnbull

Line Producer / PM: Hicham Hajji Production Manager Assistant: Doha Arrafi Production Coordinator: Sara Bennani Production Assistant: Mohammed Sami

Location Manager: Hassane Oufkir Location Coordinator: Mehdi Benyahia Location Assistant: Ismail Boutahr, Abdessamad Salem Location Runner: Fouzy Kaanane

1st AD: Mehdi El Khaoudy 2nd AD: Tam Slimani

Focus Puller: Imad Rechiche 2nd AC: Marouane Saddiki DIT: Hamza Aboufirass Video Operator: Yahya Kassimi Drone Operator: Yassine El Mansour

Key Make Up & Hair: Amina El Halhouli

Costumer: Zakia Essouci

Prop Master: Mohamed Alioui Stand By Props: Abdelkrim Erradi

Gaffer: Brahim Elmazrhi Electricians: Alaa Elmazrhi, Mohcine Jmila

Key Grip: Hassan Lhajhouj Grips: Youness Eddassaa, Abdessamad Mahrous, Youssef Ghazaoui

Nurse: Lahcen Ouchkat Ambulance Driver: Abdelmalek El Yagoubi

Camera Truck: Driss Lafrid Lighting Truck: Youssef Amouzoune Grip Truck: Ahmed Ridaoui Unit And Facilities: Abdellah Essahbi 4x4 Vehicle: Hmad Ait Khouya, Youssef Khaouiti, Mustapha Oukhiyi, El Haou Attioui, Nordine Erradi Honey Wagon: Achraf Nammat Pick Up Equipment 'Location': Ismail Boutahr Pick Up Equipment ‘Lighting’: Hammi Ouhda Pick Up Equipment ‘Grip’: Idrissi Sliman Pick Up Equipment ‘Art Dep’: Moha Achabo Catering Manager: Moustapha Sadiki

Drone Op: Nicolas Gaillard Drone Pilot: Loic Borne

LONDON CREW Production Manager: Alice Evans Production Assistant: Isabella Simpson

1st AD: Ben Burton Runner: Augusto Massaro

DOP: Tim Green @timgreendp Focus Puller: Alex Taylor Playback Op: Tony Crouch DIT: James Moser

Motion Control OP: Dennis Henry Motion Assistant: Nigel Permane

Gaffer: Thomas Northam Electricians: Michael Fokias, Marian Cojocaru

Prop Master: Simon Clifft

[ulkaralakbarova]

When secretive new neighbors move in next door, suburbanite Ray Peterson and his friends let their paranoia get the best of them as they start to suspect the newcomers of evildoings and commence an investigation. But it’s hardly how Ray, who much prefers drinking beer, reading his newspaper and watching a ball game on the tube expected to spend his vacation. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Ray Peterson: Tom Hanks Lt. Mark Rumsfield: Bruce Dern Carol Peterson: Carrie Fisher Art Weingartner: Rick Ducommun Bonnie Rumsfield: Wendy Schaal Ricky Butler: Corey Feldman Hans Klopek: Courtney Gains Dr. Werner Klopek: Henry Gibson Walter Seznick: Gale Gordon Vic, Garbageman #1: Dick Miller Joe, Garbageman #2: Robert Picardo Uncle Reuben Klopek: Theodore Gottlieb Detective #1: Franklyn Ajaye Dave Peterson: Cory Danziger Detective #2: Rance Howard Ricky’s Girlfriend: Heather Haase Steve Kuntz: Nicky Katt Ricky’s Friend: Bill Stevenson Ricky’s Friend: Gary Hays Cop: Kevin Gage Cop: Dana Olsen Walter’s Daughter: Brenda Benner Suzanne Weingartner: Patrika Darbo Voiceover Actor: Sonny Carl Davis Voiceover Actor: Moosie Drier Voiceover Actor: Leigh French Voiceover Actor: Archie Hahn Voiceover Actor: Billy Jayne Voiceover Actor: Phyllis Katz Voiceover Actor: Jeffrey Kramer Voiceover Actor: Lynne Marie Stewart Voiceover Actor: Arnold F. Turner Voiceover Actor: Gigi Vorgan Ricky’s friend (uncredited): Carey Scott Kid on Bike (Uncredited): Tony Westbrook Ray’s Boss (uncredited): Kevin McCarthy Film Crew: Sound Effects: Mark A. Mangini Casting: Mike Fenton Casting: Judy Taylor Costume Design: Rosanna Norton Original Music Composer: Jerry Goldsmith Director: Joe Dante Executive Producer: Ron Howard Production Sound Mixer: Ken King Hairstylist: Christine Lee Production Design: James H. Spencer Set Designer: James E. Tocci Producer: Larry Brezner Producer: Michael Finnell Additional Photography: John Hora Music Editor: Kenneth Hall Set Decoration: John H. Anderson Foley Editor: Ron Bartlett Makeup Artist: Daniel C. Striepeke Co-Producer: Dana Olsen Special Effects Supervisor: Ken Pepiot Editor: Marshall Harvey Camera Operator: Michael D. O’Shea Director of Photography: Robert M. Stevens Stunts: George P. Wilbur Associate Producer: Pat Kehoe Dolly Grip: Kirk Bales Key Grip: Charles Saldaña Stunts: John-Clay Scott Supervising Sound Editor: George Simpson Stunts: Eddie Hice Stunts: Gary Epper Stunts: Wally Rose Stunt Double: Brian J. Williams Stunts: Jeff Ramsey Stunts: John Hateley Stunts: Ray Saniger Art Direction: Charles L. Hughes ADR Editor: Stephen Purvis Stunts: Gary Morgan Stunts: Frank Orsatti Second Assistant Director: David D’Ovidio Sound Editor: Warren Hamilton Jr. Costume Supervisor: Cheryl Beasley Blackwell Makeup Artist: Michael Germain Foley Artist: Dan O’Connell Transportation Coordinator: Randy White Boom Operator: Randall L. Johnson Foley Artist: Kevin Bartnof Visual Effects Supervisor: Michael Owens Still Photographer: Ralph Nelson Jr. Script Supervisor: Roz Harris Leadman: Nigel A. Boucher Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Michael Minkler Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Gary C. Bourgeois Foley Editor: Aaron Glascock Sound Editor: Michael J. Benavente Chief Lighting Technician: Leslie J. Kovacs Costume Supervisor: Eric H. Sandberg Greensman: Dave Newhouse Construction Coordinator: Michael Muscarella Stunts: Roydon Clark Stunts: Sandra Lee Gimpel Set Designer: Judy Cammer Assistant Editor: Uri Katoni Lighting Technician: Brent Poe Grip: T. Daniel Scaringi Production Coordinator: Karen Shaw Lighting Technician: Ken W. Ballantine Special Effects: Michael Arbogast Studio Teacher: Adria Later Stunt Coordinator: Jeff Smolek Construction Foreman: Ciro Vuoso Production Accountant: Julianna Arenson Assistant Chief Lighting Technician: Benny McNulty Set Designer: Erin M. Cummins Property Master: Gregg H. Bilson Lighting Technician: E. Christopher Reed Stunts: Rick Sawaya Unit Publicist: Reid Rosefelt Special Effects: Jeff Pepiot Grip: Danny Falkengren Best Boy Grip: Hal Nelson Grip: Paul E. Sutton Special Effects: Thomas R....

[that-vexaholic-cryptid]

You might be interested in the book “the titanic disaster hearings: the official transcripts of the 1912 senate investigation” edited by Tom Kuntz. It delves into the subject I believe your titanic post touched on- the larger world picture of what the sinking meant culturally. Also the book “RMS Titanic: Gilded Lives on a Fatal Voyage” takes time to point out the political leanings of many of the first class passengers, and how not only the looming threat of WW1 but also the past scars of the American Civil War all had a hand in how the historical events panned out. Happy titanic hyperfixation time to you!!! (Respectfully)

Thank you kindly for the resources!

[bradyoil]

Iconic Commercial Director Tom Kuntz Talks Comedy, Pushing Creative Boundaries and Challenging His Own Process.

Iconic commercial director Tom Kuntz kicks off Season Two. Over the course of his illustrious career, Tom has pushed creative boundaries with award-winning campaigns for Skittles, Old Spice, Tubi, Apple, Ikea, Bacardi, more Apple, Pringles with the guys hand stuck in the can… and so many more. He’s won every award in advertising, including two Gold Lions at Cannes Lions for his Skittles “Beard”,…

[teragames]

Recrean el icónico anuncio de TV de "Mortal Kombat"

'Warner Bros. Games' recrea el icónico anuncio de televisión del primer @MortalKombat que originalmente salió en 1993.

Warner Bros. Games ha estrenado un nuevo tráiler de lanzamiento de Mortal Kombat 1, la próxima entrega de la aclamada franquicia de videojuegos desarrollada por el galardonado NetherRealm Studios, que saldrá a la venta el 19 de septiembre. Con el título “Lo llevamos en la sangre”, el nuevo anuncio de lanzamiento, dirigido por Tom Kuntz y con fotografía del nominado al Oscar Matthew Libatique…

[gameforestdach]

In der Gaming-Welt wurde kürzlich eine aufregende Entwicklung bekanntgegeben: Warner Bros. Games veröffentlichte einen mitreißenden Live-Action-Trailer mit dem Titel 'Es liegt in unserem Blut' für Mortal Kombat 1, mit Superstar Dave Bautista.Der Trailer, inszeniert von Tom Kuntz und mit Kameraarbeit von Matthew Libatique, ist eine Hommage an den legendären Live-Action-Trailer 'Mortal Monday' von 1993.In verschiedenen Locations zu sehen, ermutigt Bautista die Menschen, im klassischen Mortal Kombat-Stil 'MORTAL KOMBAT!' zu rufen.Mortal Kombat 1 wird am 14. September veröffentlicht, mit Early Access für PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch und PC. Für alle Spieler wird es ab dem 19. September zugänglich sein.Das Spiel enthält eine umfangreiche Charakterliste aus dem klassischen Universum von Mortal Kombat, einschließlich unerwarteter Figuren wie Peacemaker aus Suicide Squad und Homelander aus The Boys.Hollywoodschauspieler Dave Bautista bringt mit seiner überlebensgroßen Präsenz in diesem Live-Action-Trailer Leben in die Locations der kurzen Szenen: Eine Bibliothek, ein Café, ein Symphonieorchester, ein Töpferladen und ein Park. Er animiert die Menschen, nicht ihren üblichen Aktivitäten nachzugehen, sondern stattdessen lautstark 'MORTAL KOMBAT!' zu rufen. Die Szenen wecken nicht nur Nostalgie für die Kampagne 'Mortal Monday' von 1993, sondern zeigen auch den spielerischen und ungeschliffenen Geist der Mortal Kombat-Franchise.Eine Hommage an das klassische Mortal KombatDer kreative Blickwinkel von Regisseur Tom Kuntz und Kameramann Matthew Libatique hat Wunder in diesem Trailer vollbracht. Mit der Verbeugung vor dem Live-Action-Trailer von 1993 ist es gelungen, das Retro-Feeling mit den Anforderungen der modernen Kameratechnik gekonnt zu verbinden. Der Trailer hat brillant die Spannung und Intensität von Mortal Kombat eingefangen und bei alten und neuen Fans Nostalgie und Vorfreude geweckt.Eine herausragende Besetzung, auf die man sich freuen kannMortal Kombat 1 erzeugt bereits Aufregung mit seiner großartigen Charakterauswahl. Von Fan-Favoriten wie Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero und Raiden bis hin zu unerwarteten Neuzugängen wie Peacemaker aus Suicide Squad und Homelander aus The Boys scheint das Spiel bestrebt zu sein, Grenzen zu überschreiten und sein Publikum zu überraschen. Es zählt zu den am meisten erwarteten Spielen des Jahres.FazitDieser Trailer gibt einen Vorgeschmack auf die actiongeladene Handlung und die packende Erzählung, die wir von dem neuen Mortal Kombat 1 erwarten können. Mit seiner herausragenden Besetzung, einer gelungenen Hommage an die ikonische Vergangenheit und aufregenden Darstellungen moderner filmischer Elemente verspricht das Spiel ein Erlebnis, das seinem Erbe gerecht wird. Was hältst du von diesem Live-Action-Trailer mit Dave Bautista? Freust du dich auf das neue Mortal Kombat 1? Teile uns deine Gedanken unten mit.

[shahananasrin-blog]

[ad_1] Minnesota Mayor Tom Kuntz asked pastors at a church holding a Pride event if there would be stripper poles in the sanctuary, and posted a prayer alluding to "sin" at the event.Members of Rainbowatonna, an LGBTQ+ group, are calling for Mayor Kuntz to meet their demands or resign due to the comments.The group is asking Kuntz for an apology "that acknowledges the impact of his actions," as well as diversity and sensitivity training for the mayor and city staff.Members of an LGBTQ+ group are calling on the mayor of a southern Minnesota city to meet their demands — or resign — after he asked pastors at a church holding a Pride event if there would be stripper poles in the sanctuary and posted a public prayer alluding to "sin and brokenness" at the event.In an open letter to Mayor Tom Kuntz, a Republican, and the Owatonna City Council, Rainbowatonna organizer Nathan Black said Kuntz used his elected position to harass and intimidate people involved in the city's Pride celebration on July 8, the Star Tribune reported. The Pride celebration included a service at Associated Church, festivities at a pavilion and a drag show after-party at the Owatonna Arts Center.In his public letter, Black said Kuntz spoke to pastors at the church about two weeks before the service. He said the mayor appeared to be upset and asked several "bizarre" questions, including whether there would be stripper poles in the sanctuary. Black said he wasn’t concerned about the mayor’s behavior until later, when he found that last month Kuntz posted a prayer he wrote on social media.MINNESOTA GOV. WALZ WAS LEGALLY ALLOWED TO MANDATE MASKS, APPELLATE COURT RULESIn the prayer, Kuntz asked for wisdom in the face of upcoming public events "where sin and brokenness will be celebrated and where sexually explicit acts will be normalized." Kuntz didn’t mention a specific event but called for prayer "until July 8," according to the Star Tribune.Black initially asked for the mayor’s immediate resignation, saying: "There is no place for homophobic bigotry in city government."But Black told The Associated Press that members of Rainbowatonna met with Kuntz on Monday and planned another meeting later this week. Group members are asking Kuntz for an apology "that acknowledges the impact of his actions," along with diversity and sensitivity training for the mayor and city staff, Black said. An attendee holds up flags during the New York City Pride Parade on June 24, 2018, in New York.  (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)They are also asking Kuntz to appoint a member of Rainbowatonna’s board to the city’s human rights commission, among other measures.MINNESOTA TO DELETE ALL HUMAN SERVICES EMAILS OVER A YEAR OLD"If he meets these demands, and we’re hopeful that he will, then we would withdraw that request" for his resignation, Black said.An email sent to the mayor was not returned on Monday.But in a public response, Kuntz said to Black: "I did what I thought was the right thing to do."He added: "My intent was not to harass or intimidate anyone. My words were my own and not those of the City. I try each day to follow my own faith and beliefs, but I also recognize other people have the right to follow their own faith and beliefs too. ... Please accept my apologies."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPKuntz, who has been mayor since 2004, said he reached out to Black and offered to talk through the issue. Last week, Kuntz confirmed parts of Black's letter to the Owatonna People’s Press and said: "A couple people asked if there was going to be pole dancing, so I asked that."He also said that he felt God would not approve of drag shows and homosexuality. [ad_2]