About this project
Thank you so much for your support of this unprecedented film. We are in the final stages of finishing the project and need additional funds for editing, music rights and graphics. Please help us spread the word and also keep in touch with us on Facebook.
ME at the ZOO takes its name from the first ever YouTube video. It's an unconventional documentary about Chris Crocker, a video blogger from a small town in Tennessee.
The film traces a line through a tapestry of web comments, response videos, fans, and haters to map the controversial rise of an internet folk hero.
Chris Crocker was bullied out of school in the 8th grade and was, by his account, raised on the Internet. Crocker's online videos have been viewed over 270 million times to date. He is arguably the first internet celebrity to cross over into mainstream media and is part of the first wave of young people coming into adulthood under constant self-surveillance.
In 2007 Crocker made the infamous YouTube video declaration "Leave Britney Alone!". At that time, all media outlets had photographers glued to Britney Spear's every move. Photos of the young pop star were being sold for upward of a quarter million dollars. Her very public breakdown was the moment when Chris Crocker's fate intersected with his icon; Crocker offered an emotionally raw video defense of his pop idol and became a whipping boy in mainstream media. To this day his name calls to question the authenticity of that video
Chris Crocker is now one of thousands selected into the YouTube partnership program. Youtube Partnership allows individuals to make an income through Adsense and Revenue Sharing programs. Everyday more users are signing on to monetize the content of their digital lives.
Over 48 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. Our film takes its title from the first ever Youtube video uploaded by the young founders of the site. ME at the ZOO explores how video sharing and social platforms have shaped the way we tell our stories and mediate our lives. When we "Like" and '"Share" a video we are creating a market for that specific type of content.
This unconventional documentary excavates a personal story that is written on the Internet. It follows a line through Chris Crocker's public videos, response videos and the echo chamber of friends, haters and fans.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on August 31.
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Big thank you for believing in this project and getting involved! Your name will appear on our official film website and you'll be given access to view the film online.
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Your name will appear on our official film website, you'll be given access to view the film online and you'll receive a thank you on Chris Crockers official Tumblr.
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Your name will appear on our official film website, you'll be given access to view the film online and you'll receive a thank you on Chris Crockers official Tumblr. You'll also get access to a directors cut and scene extras on a secret site.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
Your name will appear on our official film website, you'll be given access to view the film online and you'll receive a thank you on Chris Crockers official Tumblr. You'll also receive a Me at the Zoo DVD when they are released.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Your name appears on our website with access to view the film online and you'll receive a thank you on Chris Crockers official Tumblr. You get a Me at the Zoo DVD when its released as well as a Me at the Zoo movie poster signed by Chris Crocker!
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Your name will be credited at the end of the film. You will also receive an official "First" or "Like Infinity" original design T-Shirt as well as a Me at the Zoo movie poster signed by Chris Crocker!
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Your name will be credited at the end of the film. You also get an official "First" T-shirts or "Like Infinity" original design T- Shirt as well as a Me at the Zoo movie poster signed by Chris Crocker!
Pledge $550 or more Pledge $550 or more
Your name will be credited at the end of the film and you get a signed Me at the Zoo movie poster as well as a personal 'Thank you' video made for you by Chris Crocker.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
You get a credit at the end of the film, a Me at the Zoo movie poster signed by Chris Crocker and four tickets to any premiere screening of the film in the city nearest you. You also get a personal 'Thank you' video made for you by Chris Crocker.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
You get a credit at the end of the film, a Me at the Zoo signed movie poster, four tickets to any premiere screening of the film in the city nearest you as well as a personal 'Thank you' video from Chris Crocker. You'll also get two hotel nights in NYC and four tickets to the NYC premiere of the film.
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You've brought us very close to making this film happen! You get any of the above plus receive a Producer credit on the film.
Project By
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Chris Moukarbel and Valerie Veatch are first time filmmakers based out of NYC.
Chris Moukarbel is a filmmaker and video artist. His videos often deal with cultural ownership, technology and performance. His work has been shown in galleries and museums all over the world. Me at the Zoo is his first feature film.
Valerie Veatch is a graduate from the New School with a focus on media studies. Me at the Zoo is her first feature film.
