A darkly surreal and viciously bleak look at making YouTube videos.

Interview with Writer/Director/Editor/Producer/Actor Jacob Gregor

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

For a few reasons I suppose. My friends who would go on to be the actors in the short and I were drinking. A lot. That's how we came up with the initial idea for the film and why we decided to actually start working on it right away. With that said, I have always wanted to make a film about YouTube. I've spent so much time on there over the 14 years or so it has existed that it has been a huge part of my life growing up. It's such an all-encompassing website that I'm surprised more films aren't made about it.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

I think it has really great energy that is constantly changing throughout its short run time. I've always just wanted to make films that I want to watch and I have to believe other people have the same tastes as me. At least I hope they do.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

A lot of the universal themes are pretty obvious. Racism, sexism, and everything else bad found on YouTube and in the comments is a big part of the short. These things aren't delivered in a subtle way because none of these things are subtle on the internet. It's so common that it just brushes off people.

On a personal level though it's about my own obsession with YouTube and how I spend so much time watching it, especially when I'm in a bad state of depression. The short is kind of reflective on how I feel binge watching YouTube videos when in a really dark place.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Well, there was no script. Nothing was ever written down. The film started with just the song that takes up the first three minutes of the short. Then while editing that I came up with the entire last half of the short and did that on the fly. It was a constantly changing film over the short amount of time that it was made in.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It has been very positive, at least for people who have spoken directly to me. There's a lot of laughs during live screening so that's good. People seem to really like the chaotic energy and relate to the overall weirdness of it.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I'm kind of surprised it's been as positive as it has. Part of that is my own insecurities, but also because I know I can make something much better. The short was made very quickly, so a lot of the things I wanted in there couldn't be implemented. Every time I watch it I can't help but think of what I would have done if I had more time with it.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I would just love for more people to watch it. It's a weird short, but I think it's about something most people will understand. As I'm writing this it's now public on my Vimeo page so anyone can watch it.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Being at more film festivals is always great, but getting journalists to write about it so as many people as possible can watch it is the best thing for it I think. However, I am making a feature-length version of the short so finding producers would be great.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I just hope people see YouTube in the same weird way that I see it.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How are we not constantly talking about how fucked up a lot of the stuff on YouTube is?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I'm actually working on a feature length follow up to this short. If you're interested in how this thing could be a feature-length film, please visit my Kickstarter for it. Thank you!

Interview: April 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Chicken Wraps and Condoms

A darkly surreal and viciously bleak look at making YouTube videos.

Length: 7:58

Director: Jacob Gregor

Producer: Jacob Gregor

Writer: Jacob Gregor

About the writer, director and producer:

JACOB GREGOR is a freelance (unemployed) videographer from and still residing in Columbus, Ohio. He is about to begin work on his first feature film this year, a follow up to Chicken Wraps and Condoms.

Key cast: Bryant King, Ray Bruster, Jacob Gregor

Looking for: producers, journalists

Twitter: @JacobHGregor

Hashtags used: #ChickenWrapsAndCondoms

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Florida Film Festival/Orlando - April, 20