Starting November 8, Vancouver filmmaker Tyler Funk's feature-length National Film Board of Canada (NFB)/North of Now documentary Anything for Fame premieres on nfb.ca.
In the ruthless "attention economy" of the Internet, influencers gamble everything for fame-'n'-fortune. Only a few will strike it rich. Most find themselves dodging multiple pitfalls and moral dilemmas, as likes and views become an intoxicating currency.
Online fame can exact a devastating price. While stars rise with meteoric and disorienting speed, they can plummet just as fast-with heartbreaking results.
As Tyler Funk notes, "we all crave attention and relevance, but it's a fine line between seeking attention and crying for help. It's easy to judge, to see content creators as extreme entertainers, to forget that they're real people. What drives them to such extreme behaviour, and to post it online? Why are they willing to risk so much for fame? And most interesting of all-what is Internet fame and how can it change your life?"
This film deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
Anything for Fame brings together dozens of experts, friends, family and content creators to explore the good, and bad, times of online fame, including:
- New Jersey influencer Ava, a.k.a. @avalouiise, who first caused a commotion with an infamous toilet seat-licking video, and she's not slowing down anytime soon. From starting celebrity rumours to her successful OnlyFans account, Ava knows how to turn online outrage into millions;
- self-described "dumb-as-shit" suburban prankster Jake (@jakehillhouse) from Ontario, who stages hair-raising hijinks inspired by the Jackass franchise, while his mother is trying to understand what being an influencer even means;
- Jamie Cohen, digital culture expert, one of the pundits guiding us into the fascinating world of memes and digital culture. With a PhD in Cultural and Media Studies, Jamie's expertise delves into the intersections of new and digital media with real-life and virtual spaces.
Anything for Fame is co-produced by Shirley Vercruysse at the BC & Yukon Studio and Tyler Funk and Sebastian Mercado for North of Now Productions, with the participation of the TELUS Fund, Creative BC and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.
Online availability
- Anything for Fame is currently streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada. It will begin streaming this fall on Paramount+ in Germany, France and Australia.
- The NFB will be releasing Anything for Fame FREE across Canada on November 8, 2023, on nfb.ca.
About the filmmaker
Tyler Funk has won acclaim as both filmmaker and digital content creator, showcasing his work at SXSW and other international festivals. His short-form digital series White Ninja, featuring actor/comedian Paul Scheer, was among the honourees at the 2016 Webby Awards. Founder and creative director at North of Now, he has produced commercials for Coca-Cola, LEGO and other major brands. With Anything for Fame, his first feature documentary, Tyler takes a deep dive into contemporary Internet culture.
About the co-producer
North of Now is a creative production and digital consultant agency based out of Vancouver, BC, and for the past three years has filmed ads all across North America. Producing broadcast ads for brands such as Coca-Cola and Band-Aid among many others, North of Now specializes in creating both traditional and non-traditional advertising, working with numerous firms in a variety of fields to bring their message to the public, both online and on television.
About the NFB
The NFB is Canada's public producer and distributor of award-winning documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories and participatory experiences, working with talented creators across the country. The NFB is taking action to combat systemic racism and become a more open and diverse organization, while working to strengthen Indigenous-led production and gender equity in film and digital media. NFB productions have won more than 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars. To access this unique content, visit NFB.ca.
