Vaughn Fry - He's Tough on Movies!
My guest for our blogger interview this week chose the words “World’s Toughest Movie Critic” as his personal tagline.
He’s a film major graduate of the University of Kansas.
He’s fiercely proud of the Mid-Western culture and community he belongs to.
For the past few years he’s been volunteering as a Programmer for the Tallgrass Film Festival.
It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Vaughn Fry, the video blogging film critic responsible for the excellent Vaughn On Movies blog.
Mike:
Hi Vaughn! Great having you as my guest today. How are you?
Vaughn:
I’m doing fine. Beginning to get my bearings using Skype.
Mike:
I have to ask.
Why do you figure you’re the “World’s Toughest Movie Critic”?
Vaughn:
My tagline is my reaction to a trend in the film-review blogging community were bloggers sing the praises of anything the studios throw at them regardless of its quality, in the hope of getting noticed and currying favor.
Mike:
Isn’t it natural for a relationship to develop within any industry between the various stake holders?
As far as I know bloggers are usually very honest and open about the little perks, invitations and freebies that come their way and most of them maintain a very obvious disclosure policy whenever they write reviews where their objectivity may be suspect.
Vaughn:
I respect that, and it may be a fact of life, but for myself I like to maintain tough standards.
I write to represent the little guy. I want my audience to be fickle. I don’t want people accepting everything Hollywood dishes out as “Movie Gospel”. I want them to develop a sensitivity for what’s worthy and what’s not.
As far as the material gains go in terms of the perks, the VIP invitations, the gala openings and parties – I guess I’m immune by force, as much as by choice.
The simple fact I’m located in Kansas, far away from the so called “Cultural Centers” on the coasts, saves me the effort of considering how a scathing review I publish might affect my standing with the studios, or my chances to be part of the “in” crowd. My location makes me for all purposes “Untouchable”.
Mike:
It would seem you’ve transformed adversity into opportunity.
Vaughn:
De facto, yes. But it’s more than just a question of necessity.
I wouldn’t want to be part of a culture that bows to the commercial aspects of movie making and advertising, regardless of where I live.
Mike:
So if your location isn’t the reason you choose to be “tough”, one might ask whether it has any effect on your endeavors at all?
Vaughn:
Absolutely!
Choosing to remain in Kansas after graduation meant that I had precious few existing opportunities for pursuing my passion for film.
I turned to blogging because I realized that if I didn’t create the channel for broadcasting my opinions, I’d remain mute – plain and simple!
Mike:
It would seem that your choices have played out well for you.
I checked your Twitter page – you’re followed by over 14,000 people!
Vaughn:
I’ve been very persistent building my Twitter following because I think its key to driving traffic to my site and Youtube channel.
Sometimes late at night, when I’m sitting alone and tired in the dark of my basement after finishing a video review, I scheme and plot for the day my army of followers forces the major media channels to notice my content and recognize its value.
That’s usually the point where I decide it might be a good time to turn in for the night….(laughing)
Mike:
I dig that. It’s a “First we take Twitter then we take LA” kinda thing.
So your motivation is world domination?
Vaughn:
Exactly!
Seriously though, being so far off center and doing what I do is a real challenge. I think that in many respects rising to that challenge and proving to myself I can beat these odds is a key motivator for me to keep on doing what I’m doing.
I’d like to be able to look back one day and know my efforts perhaps inspired action from others in my community.
I think I’m very fortunate to live in an age where technology enables anyone, from any background, to go out there produce quality video content and distribute it on a scale that’s limited only by the extent of one’s skill and daring.
Sometimes I think of this entire endeavor as an evolution of my childhood passion for video games:
As a kid I was always looking to beat my last “High Score”, today my challenge is getting more views for my content.
Mike:
That’s a very interesting way of looking at it and definitely one I can identify with. I guess I feel pretty much the same every time I check how many times our widget has been downloaded…
So what’s next for you?
When will you feel you’ve “Beat the Game”?
Vaughn:
I truly believe video is the natural evolution for film criticism so I’d love to be recognized as a YouTube partner.
Other than that it would be great to get an offer to do something on TV, or receive a buyout offer for the blog.
In either case it would have to be a situation where I’d be certain my creative boundaries would be respected.
The future of film criticism
Mike:
I’ve got my fingers crossed for you man!
I’m curious that despite your involvement with the Tallgrass festival you only review big commercial productions.
Why is that?
Vaughn
It’s true.
Although my job as Festival Programmer requires me to watch over 300 foreign and independent films every year, I prefer writing about mainstream Hollywood pictures on my blog for two reasons:
- From a pragmatic perspective I doubt most people would bother to visit a blog dedicated to esoteric and niche movies.
- As Festival Programmer I’m limited in terms of what I’m allowed to expose and when. By the time it’s O.K. to write about a movie I saw at a pre-screening, I’ve usually forgotten so much it’s impossible to write a review.
Anyway I think there’s something healthy about keeping these activities separate:
The festival is a volunteer operation. It’s my way of giving back to my community.
The blog is a venture and I’m waiting to see how it plays out.
Mike:
I must admit that it definitely makes sense.
I’d like to change the subject and get your angle on our widget.
Vaughn:
I think it’s a very powerful widget. The only thing I’ve seen similar to it is the way you can highlight stuff when using Bing’s.
I like it because it gives my readers access to all the information they might need, when they need it, and in one spot.
It takes the “work” out of research.
From a writer’s perspective it gives me the confidence that no matter what I write about, or whom, the widget has my back covered.
I no longer need worry about the tedious labor of providing links to references and explanations.
I think it’s very useful!
Mike:
Wow Vaughn!
Thanks for the compliments!
I really appreciate the fact you’re willing to help us with your feedback and support and I wish you the best of luck with your blog. Cheers,
Vaughn:
No problem – I look forward to seeing what you come up with next…