Fanvid: Like a Monkey in a Zoo

[falafel_musings]

Description: A Tribute to comedian/activist Russell Brand
Music: 'Like a Monkey in a Zoo' by Daniel Johnston.
Length: 2.47 minutes.
Warnings: Features explicit language, sexual references and drug abuse. Also features Russell Brand who seemingly manages to offend many people around the globe whilst trying to spread love and laughter in his own

Comments

[daybreak777]

Wow, you've loved him for a long time. I'm not sure what Russel Brand is. I thought he was a singer, but he's a comedian? Political commenter? Just not sure.

He does look a bit Jesus-like. I know from that one interview that he's extremely intelligent. Nice perspective of him here, him kind of growing up.

He's also really attractive. :-)

[falafel_musings]

Wow, you've loved him for a long time.

I think it was 2006 that I saw him doing improvised comedy at the Edinburgh festival before he got too famous. He's a genius at improvisation. But I've been a lapsed fan for a long time in between because we lost him to America for a while. But he's back in England now, riling up the media like old times.

I'm not sure what Russel Brand is. I thought he was a singer, but he's a comedian? Political commenter? Just not sure.

He's been a lot of things - a stand up comedian primarily but also a TV presenter, radio host, writer and actor. Not a singer but he's played a rockstar in several movies so that might be where you know him from (I'll admit I haven't followed his acting career that much). In the UK he's also infamous for being a former junkie and a sex maniac (and causing a certain major national scandal). Brand's role in political activism is fairly new, but he's already making a lot of waves.

[millari]

You made a vid! I shall have to check it out soon, when I am not terribly sleepy. I look forward to learning more about your Russell Brand fascination this way. :)

[falafel_musings]

Thanks! The vid is my attempt to capture Russell's interesting life story so far. I've always been a big fan of him as a comedian but it wasn't until I started watching The Trews that I really felt inspired by him as a person.

[millari]

Okay, I must admit, I'm still kind of confused. But I was able to see how he was changing from the beginning to the end of the vid, seeming to mature a bit and get involved in serious causes instead of just pushing everybody's buttons for the hell of it. (And he must have been pretty good at it if you can get Saint Bob to call you a bleep-worthy word on a microphone!) Also, it's intriguing to see what an obviously notorious figure he is in England, when he means very little to us here, relatively speaking. I mean, I think only a very specific generation of people would know who he is. But then, what do I know, apparently Fox News or some such American media outlet was calling him "commie scum", so maybe he's more well-known here than I think

[falafel_musings]

Admittedly it's a challenge trying to fit RB's complicated personal story into a 3 minute video (I didn't even bother trying to include his shortlived marriage to Katy Perry). There are various interviews and documentaries on his life available on youtube if you want to know more (the Piers Morgan one is a good place to start though even that is several years old and doesn't cover his latest activities). He's very complicated and controversial. I adore the man, but even I think he's an egomaniac and a loon.

he must have been pretty good at it if you can get Saint Bob to call you a bleep-worthy word on a microphone Russell has a reputation for making offensive jokes when hosting award shows. That's the main reason he is repeatedly hired to host award shows, because they want that stir of controversy. It's true that he likes to push people's buttons but there's this vicious circle where he is encouraged to be "edgy" then blamed for going too far when his humor results in a huge backlash. That said, Bob Geldof's slam was kinda mean

[cylune9]

Sounds like a fascinating guy! Love that there was a story to it and not just some random clip put together (nothing wrong with that, but I appreciate the vid went a little deeper).

And that vid... so pro! technically flawless, especially with the transitions and voiceovers. Awesome job!

[falafel_musings]

Thanks for watching Lune! Especially if you don't even know who Russell Brand is (really? Do you not know him from... film roles at all?). I wanted this vid to work as a chronological biography accessible to people who don't know much/anything about his life. Brand's personal journey from junkie to scandalous celebrity to political activist does make a great story, three act structure and everything. With audio clips! Yes, only my second time using audio. And that was so tricky because I made this vid entirely from youtube clips that varied widely in picture/sound quality. Thanks for your feedback, always valued.

I'm going to attempt to make a Six Feet Under vid next. There are no active episode DLs for that show but there are loads of clips on youtube to use. Would you be interested in betaing that one maybe? It won't be right away as I'm still getting used to a new laptop but once that is running smoothly I'm keen to do more vid projects.

[cylune9]

I think I saw him in a movie with Vince Vaughn...? I knew a little bit about him but nothing of his backstory.

Sure I'll beta!! Yay a Six Feet Under vid!!! Can't wait to see it. :)