I admit it. My guilty pleasure is watching videos presented by up-and-coming writers, directors, and actors on sites like Funny Or Die. Because mainstream movies and plays can seem like they’re manufactured by a cookie-press, these videos are fresh, funny, and (best of all) free to watch–unless one feels compelled to donate money to these rising stars.
I will admit I’ve done that, too. A few dollars can get one an honorable mention in the professional’s later successful credits.
The recent Oscars also remind me that new mainstream popularity can occur almost instantly. New stars can come out of nowhere. Several little-known actors, including Lupita Nyong’o, (12 Years A Slave) brought the right look, talent, and energy to the screen. Barkhad Abdi, (Captain Phillips) nominated for an Oscar, hasn’t enjoyed any of the big money yet. He was paid just $65,000 for his role playing opposite Tom Hanks.
That’s why friends and I spend an hour with these sorts of videos every so often. Each of us selects one or two and we take turns playing them. At the end of the hour, we vote on our favorites.
We also usually spend a few minutes talking about these favorites’ chances of making it to the big screen or how in God’s name these guys support themselves whilst attempting to do so.
Hey, we can’t play video games all the time.
Yes, the writing, acting, costumes and set design in these videos is sometimes cheesy. But I suggest these very factors make it fun to watch. If you’re familiar with the original Gothic soap opera, “Dark Shadows” from the 60s, (not the recent movie starring Johnnie Depp) you know what I mean. Barnabus, played by Jonathan Frid, the key vampire, turns into a bat early on. We see the cardboard bat floating about on a visible string and laugh out loud!
After performing a little research about the incubators of new writing, acting, or directing talent, I learnt that Tisch School (New York University in New York City) seems to mint quite a few future household names. According to Wikipedia, some of these Tisch people include: Woody Allen, James L. Brooks, Joel Coen, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and so many others.
It’s fun and, if desired, a cheap way to become a patron of the arts.
