When I first read the title "Teenage Paparazzo" I was instantly intrigued. I then decided to look up the film and see what exactly it was about. "Teenage Paparazzo" is a documentary that follows a kid named Austin Visschedyk who decided to become a paparazzi at the young age of 13. This film follows his journey from paparazzi to stardom and just how far these people go in order to get that "perfect shot" of a celebrity. I was lucky enough to catch the premiere screening of this film at the Gen Art Film Festival in NYC on April 10, 2010 and this is what I thought about the film.
Before getting into the film itself, I want to give the people reading this a little background on myself. I personally have always enjoy meeting and mingling with celebrities and people in showbiz. It's probably one of my most sought after and favorite activities. There is just something about meeting and talking to celebrities that makes me feel amazing inside. I can't really describe it but I have always been a huge movie geek ever since I was a little boy and always admired a lot of actors, actresses, and directors in the "biz." When I get a chance to meet someone famous or see them in person I get as excited as a kid in a candy store. Maybe part of it stems from wanting to be a celebrity of some sort myself or having a passion to work in the biz. But the another part is that I just truly admire what a lot of actors, actresses, and directors do for a living. What I don't like is the Paparazzi and all this celebrity gossip crap that goes on. I feel that this type of coverage destroys celebrities and really makes them look like really bad people. It also creates "celebrity obsession" which I feel is becoming a huge problem in the United States.
Adrian Grenier's documentary "Teenage Paparazzo" focuses on this issue and explores the lines that are being drawn between obsession whether its for fame, money or just a photograph of a celebrity. When you watch this documentary there is a lot of seriousness that gets brought up. I think we as people as well as the Paparazzi themselves tend to forget celebrities are people too. Some would argue that the paparazzi is the price you pay for fame but the question the film asks is does it go too far? I think most after seeing this film will say yes and I would love to hear how others feel about this.
The main focus of this film is on Austin Visschedyk who as the film's title suggests is a teenage paparazzo. Watching a teen enter this world is both fascinating and scary at the same time. It's like watching a train wreck unfold right in front of your eyes. You know seeing someone that young enter into a world that brutal is not going to end result. The surprise though is that Adrian found a way to make this not be totally negative but just spark intriguing and interesting conversations.
The Q&A session was a real treat because getting a chance to talk to Adrian about his film really made the experience so much better. It seems that Adrian feels very passionate about this subject and with very good reason, he is a celebrity. I think however that he makes an effort to reach out to fans while others don't. There is so much in this Q&A session that was interesting to talk about that I feel they could have let that run an hour or two by itself.
In my humble opinion, the main question this documentary leaves it's audience with is "how can we (meaning the non-famous and the famous) develop a relationship where we can just get along and at the same time allow each other to live own individual life?" While I think this is the question the film leaves us with, I pose another question "can that ever happen?" I guess if it was like a monumental movement it could but the likely hood is sadly slim to none. I really wish celebrities could always be like they are at film festivals...down to earth, open and honest, and very sociable with their fans. If they were more accessible, I don't think there would be as big of a market for the paparazzi as there is. Lets be honest here, the only reason the paparazzi exists is because of the all mighty dollar. Without the money aspect being involved this wouldn't be happening and we can definitely thank the media outlets for that. I guess what they say is true money truly is the root of all evil.
All in all, "Teenage Paparazzo" is a must see! If you are a fan of any celebrity, director, or anyone else in showbiz, this is a must see for you. If you are into the whole celebrity gossip thing, you should see it as well. I would say this should be a mandatory screening for the paparazzi because they should see what they do to celebrities. Their actions really go beyond any civil measure of trying to make money and how they are allowed to do what they do still amazes me. I applaud and admire Adrian Grenier for creating a documentary that brings up the topic but also taking the time to talk with me after the screening about this issue. I am in full support his effort to get it to happen. Please take the time to visit the movie's site at: http://www.teenagepaparazzo.com
MovieManMenzel's final rating for Teenage Paparazzo is a 9 out of 10. Quite frankly it was one of the best documentaries I have ever seen.
