Ryan McNeil
We’ve evolved into a society that is seemingly obsessed with celebrity culture. When I think of the transition from gossip columns, to compromising photos, to salacious videos, to websites that collect all of it in damned-near real time…I’m reminded of the ‘Evolution of Man’ illustration. So if we think about the paparazzi in evolutionary terms, then only the strong should survive. Perhaps it’s no small wonder then, that the pack is getting younger – much younger.
Adrian Grenier, he of “Entourage” fame, will be bringing his second feature documentary to Hot Docs. It’s called TEENAGE PAPARAZZO, and it’s about a celeb-stalking photographer who is making his bones at the tender age of thirteen. His name is Austin Visschedyk, and he’s using gear that’s pretty darned expensive, and using it well after what should be his bedtime. At an age where I was collecting baseball cards – he’s collecting images of the biggest stars in the world. And collecting a pretty decent pay for them too.
Between his own celebrity status, and the character he plays on TV, I have to believe that Grenier could give us an interesting perspective on our obsession with gossip. Whether he can or he can’t, I’ll be all over this doc to get a better look at this kid and his camera. More precisely, I’ll be looking for his parents…and eagerly listening to hear their take on responsible parenting.
TEENAGE PAPARAZZO will screen on Thursday May 6th, 9:30pm at Koerner Hall, and Saturday May 8th, 9pm at The Bloor Cinema.
Wow, that is very interesting. More than a little disturbing, but interesting. 13?? I really look forward to a time when privacy and photography reach a place for an actual debate within a political arena. The thing with watching the celebrities has reached an almost obsessive and dangerious level…it seems to be bubbling under the surface, you can see signs of quiet whispering about changes to privacy laws floating about if you look closely enough in the US. Wondering what will happen with the next shift of conciousness…
My dad would be hilarious to take to watch this movie, but I could never get him to watch a documentary. He loves to talk to me about how he had his first job at 13, and so on and so forth.
As for this topic… to be honest, I have the same opinion of this as I have when I watch parents cheer on their 3 year old who wants to grow up like Paris Hilton.
Please, somebody, anybody, intervene.
There are some things we, as a society, don't need more of.
Thirteen? That terrifies me. But then again the whole papparazzi thing scares me too. He is, as you alluded, probably making huge bucks at it too.