Actor/Director Adrian Grenier of “Teenage Paparazzo” and “Shot in the Dark”

Episode 13 : BYOD: Bring Your Own Doc

Episode Synopsis

Adrian Grenier is most well known for being in front of the camera, but the Entourage star is an established film maker in his own right. The director of “Teenage Paparazzo” and “Shot in the Dark,” comes by BYOD and talks with Ondi and Vlad about the screening tour he is taking “Teenage Paparazzo” on, as well as his evolution since his low-fi first feature nearly ten years ago.
The conversation goes beyond movies to explore issues of family and identity and society’s swing towards narcissism-Enjoy!

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Guest Bio

Adrian is an actor, director and producer; he is a multimedia storyteller best known for his acting role in the Emmy-nominated HBO series, “Entourage.” In 2002, when Adrian embarked on a yearlong search for his father whom he had been estranged for 18 years, he documented the journey. The result was a feature length film and his directorial debut, “Shot in the Dark.” Adrian is no stranger to dark comedy thrillers. In 2006, he premiered “Euthanasia” at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Grenier also directed the documentary feature “Teenage Paparazzo” which premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, was subsequently broadcast on HBO, and has gone on to captivate audiences on DVD and cable outlets worldwide. Building on the success of the film, the “Teenage Paparazzo Empowerment Tour” will travel to high schools and colleges across America later this year, complete with a study guide, art exhibition and a mission to encourage a dialogue among educators and students.
Grenier is a co-founder of SHFT.com, a multi-media platform whose mission is to convey a more sustainable approach to the way we live through video, design, art and culture.

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Episode Breakdown

00:01 BYOD Introduction.
01:09 Welcoming Adrian Grenier
01:49 Taking “Teenage Paparazzo” on tour.
02:45 The celebrity obsession of young people.
04:22 Inspired by the character of Vincent Chase to make the doc.
05:17 “Teenage Paparazzo” trailer.
07:55 Adrian and Austin-turning the camera on the paparazzo.
12:22 Exploring narcissism and self-indulgence.
17:41 Adrian and Paris Hilton Clip.
19:27 SHFT.com and Adrian’s online community.
21:59 “Shot in the Dark,” and Adrian’s search for his dad.
26:01 “Shot in the Dark” clip and becoming a character in your own documentary.
28:07 Adrian’s idealized father-figure.
29:04 “Shot in the Dark,” Clip.
30:47 Learning about the history of his parents and editing it into a narrative.
33:25 “Shot in the Dark,” Clip. Adrian’s parents.
34:35 Undeniable shared traits between father and son.
37:39 “Shot in the Dark,” Clip. Adrian’s surrogate dad, Boris.
43:33 The “Teenage Paparazzo,” tour-“The new band model.”
51:00 Taking the film to Sundance, the impetus for the tour.
53:10 The early filming and the blessings of limitations.
58:03 “How did you finance your films?”
1:00:28 “Teenage Paparazzo,” Clip. Austin as Narcissus.
1:02:34 “Are scripted projects harder than documentaries?”
1:04:25 “Who composed the music?”
1:05:32 The third film in the self-exploratory doc series.
1:08:27 Where to find the tour.
1:08:48 Daily Dig Down news.
1:18:31 Wrapping up.

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Hosted By

Ondi Timoner is the only filmmaker to win Grand Jury Prize at Sundance twice. Born in Miami, Florida, Timoner graduated cum laude from Yale University, with a double major in American Studies (concentration in Film and Literature) and Theater Studies.

Vladimir Radovanov is a musician, entrepreneur and entertainment attorney, and has represented numerous entities in the entertainment industry, including musical artists, record labels, independent filmmakers, and television and film production companies, including TV Guide and 20th Century Fox.

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