Web Series to be Shot at Paramus Gym

A group of local filmmakers are setting their comedic Web series in a Paramus gym.

Gym Shorts, a comedy that revolves around the odd characters one finds at the local gym, is being shot at .

Tomm Bauer, who will c0-produce and star in the series, said going to the gym was a ridiculous enough experience to begin with. There's the cardio nuts, the weight lifting nuts, the people (not trainers) who try to tell you how to exercise, and of course, the naked people in the locker room.

"If you up the scale of ridiculousness just a smidge, it would be a great idea for a sitcom," Bauer said.

Now, Bauer, director Jonathan Barli and editor and co-producer Christopher Bassett are working to produce that sitcom. The three Dumont High School class of 2000 graduates put the show together based on their experiences at the various gyms they've been a part of.

The show, which will consist of 10 5- to 10-minute episodes, revolves around Ben, played by Bauer, who comes home from college and joins a local gym with his out-of-shape friend Andy. There, they run into a host of characters, including two rival trainers—one a shameless womanizer, the other a book-smart nutrition expert—as well as a locker room sage who dispenses advice in the nude.

"His wisdom is something you should listen to, but it's tough because he's naked," explained Bauer.

Ben will also develop a relationship with Allie, a formerly portly high school classmate who's lost so much weight Ben doesn't recognize her at first.

"There's an overlying story to keep people interested," Bauer said.

Bauer, Barli and Bassett originally planned to shoot the series at a New York City fitness loft owned by "Bridal Boot Camp" star Cynthia Conde, but realized it didn't have the set pieces needed for the scripts they'd written. So they decided to ask their own gyms.

Barli has been a member of the Gold's Gym in Paramus for more than a decade. He approached the owner of the gym, Mike Epstein, who agreed to be part of the project, hoping to get his gym's name out there and to help a loyal member.

"We're looking to help a guy who's trying to make a name for himself with this film," Epstein said.

Epstein is also hoping that it encourages people to exercise.

The project is still raising money via its website, www.gymshorts.tv. The show's producers are accepting donations and offering product placements and advertisements. The show is set to debut Sept. 19, with new episodes posted each Monday.