Enterbrain me/Quinterviews
Here's an interview Dave and I did for our web series. A lot of great stuff was left out, namely how much more I talked about the importance of lying and saying Tyler Perry is producing your show. You can read the entire good(?) review from Enterbrainment here:
http://www.enterbrainme.com/2011/07/web-series-observer-juggalohio.html
Overall, I wouldn't argue with their negative points about the show if they got what we were going for a little more, and I wouldn't use the "they just don't get it" excuse if it didn't seem like most everyone else so far "gets it". It's not supposed to be an ICP video, it's supposed to be a sitcom. That's why we filmed it as such.
I can't complain because it's awesome people are taking the time to review a comedy show about a bunch of juggalo buddies that we made, but perhaps I should retype that last paragraph in all caps to give it a more Kanye like infliction.
Here's tha interview! I put my favorite things I say in bold...
Interview: I had a chance to ask Tony Hartman and Dave Biscella – who write, direct, produce, edit and star in the series – a few questions about their show. Check it out!
How did you get into filmmaking? Dave: Basically, just from being a fan. I’ve written my whole life, and i watch a TON of movies. I love creating, and I love movies/TV, so I’ve always wanted to create something similar to a movie or TV show, merging two of my loves. I never really got to make anything of quality though until Tony came along. Excluding sex tapes, which, aside from poor lighting, was super high quality with an excellent performance from the leading man (me!)?
What are some of your previous projects? Tony: I wrote and directed a couple short films at Kent (University) and have a feature script being shot there right now. My friend Chris Fafalios and I have a cartoon on Youtube called Texas Toast and released a comedy/children's book called Whistle Pig a couple years ago. I once made dinner for SeaQuest's Jonathan Brandis (R.I.P); I think it was a cheeseburger. Recently, I tried my hand at making breakfast tacos but I wasn't exactly pleased with the results so I shelved them.
ICP and Juggalos were certainly big in the 90s – what makes them work in a show a decade later? Dave: As a band, ICP may not be as big as they once were, but as a subculture, Juggalos are bigger than ever. They stayed so loyal to ICP, and have grown the whole time. They definitely made an impact on pop culture, and seem right there on the verge of being mainstream phenomena. When people are able to put their irrational hatred of all things Juggalo aside, they'll see it's actually a very interesting subculture filled with a lot of super nice, ultra supportive people. I think the show works because it's not so much a show about Juggalos, as it is a show whose characters happen to be Juggalos.
Any chance we’ll get to see ICP on the show? Dave: I hope! They’ve seen every episode and apparently enjoy it. I’m pretty sure (Tony) is Violent J's new BFF. Hopefully, if we happen to be able to film at a time when they're around, we can make it happen. It'd be a lot of fun to get them involved, and I think they'd have fun being involved, because we're super awesome and fun to be around.
What can we expect from future episodes? Any spoilers you're willing to hint at? Dave: Kyle and Carter will both come across some decent sized life changes. We’ll hopefully get to learn more about Nachos and Schizo. And Buddy will do everything he can to keep the business thriving, even if that includes branching out to some other products and taking down a rival dealer along the way. And we'll hopefully finally figure out what all the numbers mean.
What means of marketing do you have in store for the series? Dave: We're hoping to hit up some traditional media outlets (radio, newspaper), guest on some podcasts and continue hitting the internet hard.
Tony: We've been pretty lucky with juggalos embracing it and spreading the word so far, but we want to reach the biggest audience we can. I've considered advertising the show as a Tyler Perry production. I think this would bring in a MUCH bigger audience. We might eventually get in trouble for falsely crediting Tyler Perry as the producer...but how cool would that be? You know, getting yelled at by Tyler Perry?
How will the show stand out amongst other series on the web? Dave: Face-paint, maybe? As well as hopefully cool characters and entertaining dialogue. I think we have 'best use of pogs' in the bag, though. Other than that, all we can do is try to create interesting characters and an interesting story and tell it through interesting dialogue. And tell people Tyler Perry plays all the characters.
What advice can you give to other filmmakers trying to produce/market a web series? Dave: Just do it. But take your time with it. Dedicate yourself to making it happen, but don't rush and make sure you take the time to make it as great as you possibly can. Prepare, prepare, prepare. This project was in the works for, like, nine months before we filmed a single scene. Preproduction work is huge. Find people as dedicated and passionate about the project as you, and get to work. Also, if you can find a DP like our own John Hansel early on, that'll help a ton.
What other projects are you currently working on? Shameless plug time!
Dave: There are two cartoons that James Cole (famous for the Juggalohio animated opening) and I will be making. I have a couple podcasts that will be available soon. And there are more cartoon shorts coming from Random Stain, as well as plans to keep that site more active consistently. And probably some stuff here soon with the Reverse Cowboy guys.
Tony: I co-wrote a musical called "Research: The Musical," that is being filmed right now. It's like a funny/modern day Grease meets an old Smashmouth video. I'm also a writer/director for a really cool film project that's a series of stories set in Cleveland. We are filming in the fall and I'm bringing plenty of these Juggalohio boneheads with me for cast and crew. Then we are all joining the Miami Heat. Oh yeah! Here's Chris's new show QUINTERVIEWS