Well, there you have it. The final regular episode of Mr Biffo's Found Footage. By the time next week's finale goes out, you'll have had well over three hours of the series from me; that's over three times as much as I originally promised on Kickstarter. I hope you all feel it has been worth your investment. I know it has been worth mine. Let's do some more, yeah?
It might not have been a massive viral hit - frankly, the eps are probably too long for that - but I'm very, very proud of it. It's my favourite thing I've ever done - by far.
I really hope you've been doing your best to piece together the story, along with the weirdness and funnies... but if not, don't worry. Next week's episode explains everything, and though it's part of the series - and will reward those who've been watching closely - it's also designed to be standalone, so new viewers can check it out. I think it might just blow your mind...
Anyhow. Enough waffle. If you wish to discuss the episodes, I suggest you head over to Facebook, where the Brannigan's Vortex group share their theories as to the greater conspiracy. Or post a comment below.
SPOILER WARNING: Do not read on unless you have watched Goujon Day!
It might not have been a massive viral hit - frankly, the eps are probably too long for that - but I'm very, very proud of it. It's my favourite thing I've ever done - by far.
I really hope you've been doing your best to piece together the story, along with the weirdness and funnies... but if not, don't worry. Next week's episode explains everything, and though it's part of the series - and will reward those who've been watching closely - it's also designed to be standalone, so new viewers can check it out. I think it might just blow your mind...
Anyhow. Enough waffle. If you wish to discuss the episodes, I suggest you head over to Facebook, where the Brannigan's Vortex group share their theories as to the greater conspiracy. Or post a comment below.
SPOILER WARNING: Do not read on unless you have watched Goujon Day!
WISHING YOU A GOUJON DAY!
Look! It's a freaking big Goujon John hologram projected onto the side of an actual Xenoxxx building! Thanks to the brilliant AJ Jeffries for making Xenoxxx a real place - you'll be seeing A LOT more of his work in next week's epic episode...
J. WILGOOSE IN THE HOUSE!
This was a big deal to me. None other than J.Wilgoose Esq. from Public Service Broadcasting, one of my favourite bands, outed himself as a Digi fan recently. So, of course I had to ask if he'd be in Found Footage. What I only realised afterwards were the similarities between what I've done with Found Footage, in splicing old VHS clips into the series, and what PSB do. Obviously, they're far slicker and cooler and more grown-up than I am.
JUST TELL ME WHAT HE SMELLS LIKE...
When our brilliant composer Chris Jerden-Cooke and I wanted a third subject for the Wozniak/Sinclair song cycle, we decided early on that it should be Elon Musk. It was Chris who suggested basing it around the Fleetwood Mac song Tusk. I genuinely prefer this to the song which inspired it.
DADPELLET! YES! YES!
Better late than never, the Asperger's Are Us guys finally appear in the show properly. They would've been in sooner, but... it turns out that we never had the microphone plugged in on our main camera, which made it a pain in the backside to synch the sound when I was editing. I put it off and put it off - and thankfully Steve Horsley stepped in to synch the sound on the Burd Talk sequence which appears later in the ep, and that kicked me into action.
BUMLIENS
You might've seen this before, as I put it out as a teaser months ago. It was shot at the Centre For Computing History. It's one of those times when I wish Found Footage was shown in HD, as the detail which went into this corridor set was immense.
Here's a thing: part of the reason that Xenoxxx slap their logo on everything is my way of telling the backers that this is what we've spent their money on, that it's not just some stock footage; see? We really went to some effort!
Also, one of the themes of the series is the power of symbols and iconography. That might've got a bit buried, but it has always been there in my mind. Whether it's Jesus Christ, Adolf Hitler, Steve Jobs, a crucifix, swastika or Apple logo... there's a massive power to what a symbol represents, a visual short-hand saying "This is what I believe in, this is what I get behind..."
And power, of course, is open to abuse.
Here's a thing: part of the reason that Xenoxxx slap their logo on everything is my way of telling the backers that this is what we've spent their money on, that it's not just some stock footage; see? We really went to some effort!
Also, one of the themes of the series is the power of symbols and iconography. That might've got a bit buried, but it has always been there in my mind. Whether it's Jesus Christ, Adolf Hitler, Steve Jobs, a crucifix, swastika or Apple logo... there's a massive power to what a symbol represents, a visual short-hand saying "This is what I believe in, this is what I get behind..."
And power, of course, is open to abuse.
KNICKERS
Talking of backers, this sequence features a number of our Kickstarter backers, who paid to be in the show. Originally, their photos were going to be featured in next week's finale, but we ran out of time to film the scene with them. So, instead, they appear here in what just might be my favourite minute of the entire series.
It's weird the way this series has worked. So much of it only really came together in my head once I had the footage - or, in this case, the photos. Something about the faces of our handsome backers made me think "German lessons". It isn't even a conscious process that I can explain; much of Found Footage, when I'm editing, is me just switching off and going on instinct. The process is as mysterious to me as it must be to you.
It's weird the way this series has worked. So much of it only really came together in my head once I had the footage - or, in this case, the photos. Something about the faces of our handsome backers made me think "German lessons". It isn't even a conscious process that I can explain; much of Found Footage, when I'm editing, is me just switching off and going on instinct. The process is as mysterious to me as it must be to you.
RABBIT RUCKUS
Sting was always going to come back - David Heslop, who also shot a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff for us during the Finale filming, and during the premiere, is the voice of our Sting. The only issue when editing his sequences is that he gives me massive ASMR, which makes me nice and languid. The game here was put together by Nikki Head, though those are my playing skills you see...
Incidentally, go and check out Goujon John's website. You can now play the game for yourself!
Incidentally, go and check out Goujon John's website. You can now play the game for yourself!
REVOLTING
I was nervous about this. It pushed Chris Jerden-Cooke and I out of our comfort zones, given that it isn't exactly a funny song. I wrote it last week when Chris offered to do another song for the episode. I tried to think of something comedic, but all that was on my mind were the reports in the press about Harvey Weinstein.
I'd been similarly appalled by recent reports that Ain't It Cool News founder Harry Knowles had also been accused of sexual harassment, which is why this song is kind of a mash-up of the two of them - but really... it's about anyone who uses his power and leverage over women.
I despise so much of the way Hollywood operates (though, of course, this isn't an issue that's confined to Hollywood). These predators get away with it, because movies are given such currency in our society that victims of abuse - or those with knowledge of the abuse - are too terrified to say anything for decades because of the fear that it might damage their careers. It makes me so angry. It's almost like we've all been brainwashed into thinking that movie stars, directors, and producers are somehow better than us (many of them are certainly richer than us). No one person should have that much power over another.
I got quite emotional writing this; I've known far too many women who've been abused, and though it has never happened to me... in writing it I ended up tapping into feelings of being bullied as a kid, and times I've felt that somebody had power over me. Too often I've bowed to somebody who didn't deserve it because I wanted to pay my mortgage.
The thing I'm finding most disturbing about these reports is the way they're making me question people I know, and ask whether they have it in them too. Or whether, given sufficient power, they would allow it to corrupt them. My conclusions upset me.
These might not be the best words ever, and maybe they don't really add anything to the dialogue, but they are sincere. I'm glad I kept it in the episode.
And, again, it kind of taps into the themes of the series; about how power abuses, and it's ordinary people who suffer most, how we're all forced to bow and scape to favour the powerful. And, of course, the most powerful human being on the planet right now is a man who was part of that Hollywood system, who is also - more likely than not - a sexual predator.
I'd been similarly appalled by recent reports that Ain't It Cool News founder Harry Knowles had also been accused of sexual harassment, which is why this song is kind of a mash-up of the two of them - but really... it's about anyone who uses his power and leverage over women.
I despise so much of the way Hollywood operates (though, of course, this isn't an issue that's confined to Hollywood). These predators get away with it, because movies are given such currency in our society that victims of abuse - or those with knowledge of the abuse - are too terrified to say anything for decades because of the fear that it might damage their careers. It makes me so angry. It's almost like we've all been brainwashed into thinking that movie stars, directors, and producers are somehow better than us (many of them are certainly richer than us). No one person should have that much power over another.
I got quite emotional writing this; I've known far too many women who've been abused, and though it has never happened to me... in writing it I ended up tapping into feelings of being bullied as a kid, and times I've felt that somebody had power over me. Too often I've bowed to somebody who didn't deserve it because I wanted to pay my mortgage.
The thing I'm finding most disturbing about these reports is the way they're making me question people I know, and ask whether they have it in them too. Or whether, given sufficient power, they would allow it to corrupt them. My conclusions upset me.
These might not be the best words ever, and maybe they don't really add anything to the dialogue, but they are sincere. I'm glad I kept it in the episode.
And, again, it kind of taps into the themes of the series; about how power abuses, and it's ordinary people who suffer most, how we're all forced to bow and scape to favour the powerful. And, of course, the most powerful human being on the planet right now is a man who was part of that Hollywood system, who is also - more likely than not - a sexual predator.
BURD TALK
Here they are again. Filming this sequence was one of the funniest days we ever spent on set. It was all quite last minute. We didn't know we'd be doing this until a couple of days before, and the script - such as it was - was written literally the day before filming. I hope I get to do more with these chaps in the future.
IT'S RAB FLORENCE!
It's Rab Florence! Now, both Consolevania/Videogaiden boys have been in Found Footage, I've repaid the kindness from when they inducted myself and Mr Hairs into their video game hall of fame.
IT TASTES DIRRRRRTY...
This is disgusting, and I shouldn't have put it in the episode.
CORRIDOR OF POWER
This was our second proper day of filming, on location at Royal Derby Hospital's training facility - thanks to Steve and Tori Baker. The set was astonishing, and I really hope it comes across in the footage. I spent most of the set-up on this day dressing the set seen in the screenshot below... when I emerged, everyone else - my other half Sanya and our daughter Gaia, Steve Horsley and his kids Sam and Louise, and Steve and Tori, had transformed the ward into a post-battle scene of ruin. It was incredibly atmospheric.
It also gave me the confidence to really push the boat out with a cinematic finale, which was crisp and HD enough to show off all our hard work. Plus, this was the point at which the directing bug bit; I'm desperate to do more.
It also gave me the confidence to really push the boat out with a cinematic finale, which was crisp and HD enough to show off all our hard work. Plus, this was the point at which the directing bug bit; I'm desperate to do more.
JARRING
Wait a second... what is that? It looks like a head in a jar! If you've been paying attention during the series you'll know what's going on here. The question is: how does it factor into next week's finale?
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