The Peep Show
A little over 11 years ago, I decided that I wanted to make movies so I bought a Hi8 video camera and envisioned the movie you are about to see. I drew a 19 page color storyboard and then typed up a 5 page plan that included shot summaries and notes. I wrote a script (5 pages long) because, originally, every character was going to be voiced. I built the dock, lifeguard stand and a cabin (which sits abandoned in my computer’s hard drive) out of popsicle sticks. I made all of the other little peep props as well…beach towels (felt squares), fishing pole (nylon cord and bamboo skewer) and the volleyball net (bamboo skewers and plastic mesh). In other words, I had a lot of time on my hands back in those days. We shot the footage in Powderhorn Park over three days (though the days were spread out over a few weeks). In total, there were 60 minutes and 52 seconds of raw footage and this, my friends, is where my troubles began. I will spare you the details of my technical difficulties but I went through several video capture cards, computers, and software programs and had nothing to show for my time and money. As the years rolled by and The Peep Show remained simply a vision, it became the cautionary tale for grandiose ideas, the shorthand reference for unfinished projects among my friends. In the end, I had to admit that the biggest reason for the delay in finishing it was not the technical issues but my own perfectionism. If I never finished it, it would always be as I had imagined it - perfect. I finally realized that I had to complete it because the whole point of the project was for me to learn and then go on to do other things. So, now it’s done - it’s time to move on and do those other things, though I don’t yet know what they might be. I finally got this peep off of my back!
The movie is in two parts due to file size and time limits on YouTube. So, sit back, lower your expectations and enjoy the show…
Thank you to my friends and family for your love and support during the making of this epic and, by “love and support”, I mean “nagging and relentless teasing”. The world needs high quality films and, thanks to your encouragement, it now has another crappy one. It kinda warms the heart, doesn’t it? Anyway…I raise my glass to all of you.
Posted: April 12th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Comments
Comment from megdezutti
Time April 12, 2009 at 7:07 am
Oh, and you have a really beautiful singing voice too. Forgot to mention that before. The credits were genius.
Comment from Susan
Time April 12, 2009 at 7:14 am
Wow. There were too many moments that made me giggle but I think the squabbling chickens soundtrack when they were waiting to get on the helicopter is one of my favorites. Congratulations…peep week has been awesome.
Comment from Rachel
Time April 12, 2009 at 7:56 am
were they roasting marshmallows isn’t that sort of canabalistic. Awesome totally awesome
Comment from Vikki
Time April 12, 2009 at 8:05 am
The explosion in one of the things I’m proudest of. As for the “squabbling chicks”, the sound file is actually for seagulls but I did like the way it sounded like they were all talking so I used it every time the peeps were all gathered together on the beach. I thought it was funny too.
Comment from Marjorie
Time April 12, 2009 at 8:19 am
“Gather around me, children! For it is time! The Peep Show commenceth!” And for the next twelve minutes, we sat transfixed. We laughed, we cried, and one of us was really scared of the shark and needed to be told four times that it wasn’t real.
Your film seems to have burrowed into the consciousness of the next generation–my children are now acting it out. Martin is the lifeguard, and Chris is “The Purple One.” Is that Lila?
(You’ve gotta release the soundtrack somehow so we can get a copy for our ipods. Lord, you can sing!)
Comment from Dr. Ding
Time April 12, 2009 at 9:33 am
Bravo! Bravo! More! More!
This was one helluva ride and I enjoyed every moment. And the song at the end I think you should release as a single-I would totally buy it!!!!!
Comment from Jenn
Time April 12, 2009 at 9:37 am
OH MY GOD. You are genius and twisted and amazing and I am so glad you are one of MY peeps in the world. xoxoxo
P.S. I want the song toooooooo! Oh, that voice of yours!
Comment from Luis
Time April 12, 2009 at 9:50 am
Katherine and I are very proud to have such a talented sister-in-law.
PS- I couldn’t help but feel bad for the shark.
Comment from Eliza
Time April 12, 2009 at 11:06 am
Totally worth waiting for! We watched as a whole family.
At 5:27 in part one, my daughter says, “So that’s why white peeps are extinct!”
Comment from Anthony
Time April 12, 2009 at 11:53 am
YAY! Excellent job, Vikki. So well-conceived and crafted. There’s drama, there’s humor, there’s tragedy–it’s a whole experience. Congratulations. I enjoyed it all. The original song is fantastic.
Comment from Deborah
Time April 12, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I hope that this film does for peeps what Michael J. Anderson, The Little Man from Twin Peaks, did for little people in Hollywood. Their time has come – thanks to your vision, talent and execution.
Comment from Ms. Melom
Time April 12, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Well worth the wait.
Comment from Vikki
Time April 12, 2009 at 1:04 pm
You are all so kind! I will be making DVD’s with extras (outtakes, the song, narration bloopers, etc.) but it may take awhile.
Comment from Shel
Time April 12, 2009 at 1:21 pm
BRAVA! MAZEL tov! (clap clap clap clap clap)
Freakin awesome. I <3 the live action. OMG.
Comment from Vikki
Time April 12, 2009 at 1:22 pm
By the way, we watched it on our big, fancy TV and the quality was amazing – much better than youtube.
Comment from Katherine
Time April 12, 2009 at 1:28 pm
I hear that all the Peeps in Peepville have erected a statue in honor of Her Royal Peepness Vikki.
Comment from Kristin
Time April 12, 2009 at 4:00 pm
bravo! I loved watching the kids singing the theme song.
Comment from kate
Time April 12, 2009 at 6:59 pm
This is fabulous! Jenn sent me the link. You just made my night.
Comment from Anthony
Time April 12, 2009 at 7:05 pm
One more thing…the voiceover by Kristen B was wonderful. What a nice voice! I didn’t even know it was her until the credits. Well done.
Comment from leigh
Time April 12, 2009 at 7:29 pm
it was a treat – the film not the peeps 
Comment from Meghan
Time April 12, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I loved this! I really loved when the shark blew up. And how the white peeps turned red when the shark ate them. Love the song. Can’t wait for the outtakes. This was WELL worth the wait. Great job, Vikki. And, loved the narrator’s voice. The whole thing rocked. My 3 yr old daughter loved the song at the end and danced around. Fun all around!
Comment from Kelly
Time April 12, 2009 at 8:51 pm
We all gathered around the laptop to watch your Peep Show this morning…. I giggled all the way through after seeing the peeps roasting marshmallows, the 3 yr old kept saying “why dey beeding? Why da peeps beeding?”, the 7 yr old bit his nails as the shark approached each time and yelled “COOL!” when the explosives went off and I kept thinking, “wow, when Vikki narrates really softly she sounds just like Kristen Brown!” Brava!
Comment from sarah k
Time April 12, 2009 at 9:32 pm
so awesome! i loved it vikki! so worth the wait!
they are peeps. they are survivors!
Comment from Tricia
Time April 12, 2009 at 10:29 pm
You are totally fantastic. I just loved this whole week and I will never look at a peep in the same way again. Many peeps gave their life to a great cause. Thank You Vikki
Comment from Meredith
Time April 13, 2009 at 7:20 am
What an awesome way to top off Peep Week 2009. I LOVED it!
Is that early Oscar buzz I hear?
Comment from Amy
Time April 13, 2009 at 11:18 am
Bravo! I know you can’t see me right now but if you could you would know I am giving you a standing ovation. It was wonderful! I have to admit I was not suspecting so much drama! A great way to end Peep Week.
Comment from Amy
Time April 13, 2009 at 12:39 pm
The moment I heard the first guitar strum of the Jaws theme, I was hooked! The credits were genius.
Comment from Ms. Melom
Time April 13, 2009 at 6:04 pm
But where’s the Peep centerpiece?
Comment from Ali B.
Time April 14, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Fantabulous! Brava Brava! Special effects and everything!
It does beg the question, though…when peeps bleed, do they bleed pink, yellow, powder blue, and lilac?
How sweet life is, indeed.
Comment from Polly
Time April 15, 2009 at 11:25 am
I, like the Peeps, have no words to express my gratitude. Especially because I was so sure that Polly Peep was going to get munched by the shark, man! That was a CLOSE SHAVE!
Wheew!
Of course I had a hard time not identifying with her. Unless it was actually Bonnie? Oh well.
So many accolades to heap, so little time. I will just say: acoustic guitar for Jaws theme: brilliant. Brilliantly lesbian. You are a brilliantly brilliant lesbian, and we are all grateful.
Comment from Missy
Time April 19, 2009 at 8:45 pm
My mind is BLOWN! I love the writing! The effects! The shark attacks- nightmare material! The music! Bravo!
Comment from DMahoney
Time April 21, 2009 at 7:11 pm
This is too brilliant. My daughter and her playdate watched twice. And B wants to know when she can see the next episode. I tried to explain that this took a while to create, she shouldn’t get her hopes up for this week or anything. But we’ll be ready when the next is done.
Comment from Liz
Time June 15, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Kudos to your editor, Ms. Molasses, and all the others who have finally brought your artistic vision to fruition!!
However, I did not see a disclaimer that no peeps were harmed during the making of this film. I trust that was just an oversight.
Pingback from Who, Me? Kreativ?? « Running With Scissors
Time November 24, 2009 at 2:17 am
[...] I also have a girl-crush on Vikki because of her film making abilities and her dedication to the Peep Show movie (an entire movie make from and about Easter [...]
Comment from megdezutti
Time April 12, 2009 at 7:07 am
WOW. I am laughing so hard there are tears. It is magnificent! I’m telling you, if you don’t submit this to SOME film festival, I will personally drive to your house and kick your arse! I love the juxtoposition of the sweetness of the peep beach day with the gritty horror of the peep-eating shark. And blowing him up with dynomite?? Oh, the humanity!
This is a work of art Vik, it’s fantastic. Seriously!