The MySpace Movie
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| MySpace: The Movie | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Directed by | David Lehre |
| Written by | David Lehre |
| Starring | Jeremy Kerr Joe Laduke Rick Joyce Mike Metz David Lehre producer = David Lehre |
| Distributed by | Vendetta Studios |
| Release date(s) | 2005 |
| Running time | 11 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $0 |
The MySpace Movie, also known as myspace: the movie, is the name of a short independent film and viral video created by Vendetta Studios and David Lehre Productions which are based out of Washington, Michigan. Its name refers to MySpace, the social networking website which it parodies.
Contents |
[edit] The Plot and Outline
The MySpace Movie explores the basics of MySpace as well as disputed territories located within the MySpace site in a humorous and parodic fashion. Themes of this movie include:
- Capturing profile images.
- Dating on MySpace.
- Excessive chain bulletins.
- MySpace's "Top 8" feature.
- A humorous portrayal of Tom Anderson, the creator of MySpace.
[edit] The Opening
The movie begins with what appears to be a typical MySpace user taking pictures. A teenager, with a well-kept 'floppy' fringe which partially obscures his face, black clothing, etc. - a reference to the stereotype assoiating emo with MySpace - proceeds to take a series of pictures from a variety of wild angles in his bathroom (habits which have come to be defined with such terms as "The Angles" and "The Obligatory Bathroom Shot" respectively), presumably so that he may upload them to his MySpace profile. After a variety of poses, the angle and expression growing more and more odd, he frustratedly removes all clothing but his underwear and lays spread-eagle upon the basin. Before taking the final picture, however, his mother walks in and finds him in his compromising position, prompting the teenager to say one of the many memorable lines, "Mom, close the door! Close the door! Cl--"
[edit] The Blind Date
This story opens with two males sitting in front of a computer, with the first male attempting to show off his prize catch, a woman named Yeti, whose profile they are both examining. His friend believes that the woman has "The Angles", a term referring to the practice of taking photographs from such extreme angles as to obscure or distort the person in question, thus implying that the user is insecure about their image and, presumably, unattractive. He also insists that the woman's name is not Yeeta but Yeti. Shortly afterward the first male receives a telephone call from the woman in question, whose audible voice bears a close resemblance to that of Chewbacca from Star Wars. They arrange a date for the evening, with the friend insisting upon chaperoning. Once the two meet, the man is horrified to observe that his date is masculine, grunting, and lurching. She immediately rubs up against him, asking "do you want to see the Angry Beaver?", a now popular quote.
David Lehre (the creator) stars in this chapter.
[edit] The Bulletin
This begins with a man reading a bulletin, and having to scroll down excessively. It then reads that if he doesn't repost, he will first hear a duck call, then be killed by a crazy drunken hunter asking for circus peanuts. This is commonly found in many MySpace bulletins today. Finally, during his last moments of life he will see a singing fish. He casually ignores the bulletin as a joke, and is soon thereafter killed precisely as described. The scene takes place in Reese Serra's apartment.
[edit] The Top 8
A prominent feature of MySpace is that of the "Top 8", which is essentially the ability to display upon a user's profile page a link to eight of his chosen friends. In this scene a couple at a computer are arguing; the woman is complaining about her partner's choice of Top 8 friends, expressing dissatisfaction at the fact that she is not among them, as well as questioning the integrity of those present. After demanding his password, she is able to log in and see the rest of his pictures, which include photographs of his participation in lewd activities, including that of judging a wet t-shirt competition.
[edit] The Party
This short segment proposes a humorous theory as to the origin of MySpace creator Tom Anderson's default profile picture - arriving at a college party, where he is immediately center of attention. (This directly alludes to the fact that whenever a new profile on MySpace is made, Anderson is automatically added as the user's first friend. For this reason, Anderson's profile has over one hundred million friends, and in the movie it is humorously assumed that every one of those people is a close friend of his). Later on, Anderson consumes copious amounts of pizza, alcohol, and even cocaine. A short time later, presumably the morning after, the crowd of MySpace users from the previous evening open the bathroom door while Anderson is vomiting, and take his picture as he hunches over the bowl, resembling Anderson's actual profile picture.
[edit] Vendetta Studios
Vendetta Studios, the credited production company, appears not to be classified as an official Motion Picture Production Company on the Internet Movie Database.
Vendetta Studios' work can be found on YouTube, a free video sharing and uploading network to which everyone has access. There are, however, two other production companies with similar names: "vendetta Films" and "Vendetta FX". Vendetta states that it is not in any way associated with MySpace.
[edit] David Lehre Productions
David Lehre Productions, like Vendetta Studios, is not an official production company; instead, it appears to be run by a single man, David Lehre.
[edit] Publicity
After its creation, bulletins on MySpace circulated containing the MySpace Movie. More recent bulletins rated the movie as PG for "Bodily Undress, Crude Humor, Alcohol/Drug Use, and Suggestive Content."
The origins of this bulletin are not known, though some users believe that it came directly from Yeti's MySpace Profile.
[edit] Reactions
Reaction to the film can quite plainly be seen in the fact that it has become an Internet phenomenon almost overnight; indeed, more than 10 copies of the movie were produced on the popular filmsharing website YouTube. Reaction has extended beyond the social networking sites and into the mainstream media including mentions in Boston Globe[1], San Francisco Chronicle [2], and the New York Times.[3]. The world-wide attention that the video received earned the video's creator, David Lehre, the offer to develop for mtvU.[4]
[edit] Cast and crew
- Jeremy Kerr
- Joe Laduke
- Rick Joyce
- Mike Metz
- Kyle Jennings
- Tera Smith
- David Lehre
- Lauren Goodman
- Veronica Ludington
- Justin Gonzcar
- Keith Kaczynski
- Jeff Kunes
- Josh Helfferich
- Ken Oshalek
- Steve Govern
- Amanda Coyle
- Josh Corbin
- Brandon Kaczmerek
- Anson Wells
- Reese Serra
- Chuck Anderson
- Sarah VanTongerloo
- Rachel Partain
- Tara Birch
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Friday video: MySpace: The Movie: Boston Globe March 3, 2006.
- ^ Online video sites blend the bizarre with the mundane to reshape visual entertainment, San Franscico Chronicle, March 23, 2006.
- ^ Hollywood Clicks on the Work of Web Auteurs, New York Times July 23, 2006.
- ^ 'MySpace' parody launches film career. USA Today February 27, 2006.
[edit] External links
- The MySpace Movie
- A mirror of the movie on YouTube
- David Lehre Productions
- MySpace Film
- Washington Post Interview with Filmmaker David Lehre
- Surfing for Talent radio transcript Segment from Marketplace radio program by American Public Media
