Interview: Tyrone Davies
The Bay Area has its fair share of web celebrities, but sometimes something surfaces that stands out for its awesomeness. After both VH1’s Web Junk and BoingBoing featured this clip, we knew it was time interview local film maker Tyrone Davies. People have tried to explain what happened in terms of nervousness, a hangover, and a truly amazing prank (SFist knows the truth, but we’re not telling). If the low quality clip here doesn’t do it for you, check out the Free Form Film Festival next time it’s playing in SF. Oh, and don’t worry, Tyrone doesn’t make a habit of that kind of thing—he didn’t even gag while we were interviewing him.
BoingBoing and VH1 have featured your video: where will it pop up next?
Who knows. I never would have thought it would go this far. I'm still pretty perplexed about the whole thing
What details about that blue vomit can you reveal?
A lot of people think it looks white. If you see the original video (uncompressed) it looks blue. Still, some who saw the original broadcast have told me that it looked green. I was there though, and it was blue.
Prank or reality television?
huh?
Tell us about your film festival:
The Free Form Film Festival is a touring exhibition. We show films of all genres in big cities and small town alike, around North America. Eventually we'll go abroad. We have leads on Russia, England, Brazil, and Peru. It'll be a while though. Basically we want to re-examine the way people see films, and then re-examine it again. We never want to do any one thing for too long, but however we do things, you can count on us always being around. So far we have done short film programs, features, live video mixes, collaborations with bands and other live performers. We do shows at Theatres, art spaces, clubs, universities, anything. We even did a show at a swimming pool a while back. Right now we are looking to branch out to DVD and television-based distribution. You can see a couple films right now at freeformfilm.org. We are always seeking submissions and always digging up our sleeves for a new kind of show.
When will it be in SF next?
Maybe in six months. Maybe longer. We will always do shows in SF, though. We aren't doing many shows right now. We are busy working on some films of our own and trying to turn the FFFF into a nonprofit.
Name
Tyrone Davies
Introduce yourself in one sentence
I am a filmmaker, mainly.
Age and Occupation
27, freelance video-slave
Home Town
Rolla, MO
How long have you lived in the Bay Area?
One and a half years in the Mission, and almost a year in Alameda. I like going from one extreme to the other and back. I get bored with any place after about a year and a half.
Favorite place to spend time online.
ubu.com, headofshiz.com
Favorite local business
The Roxie Theatre, ATA, El Farrolito's, Aquarius Records
What I'm currently Reading
I just finished Joe Hill by Wallace Stegner and I'm meaning to read Executioner's Song soon (Norman Mailer). I am also reading a book about Mark Hoffman called Salamander. I'm really fascinated by Historical Utah Murderers for
some reason.
Best Deal in San Francisco
The Burritos. Everything else is too expensive
Favorite mode of transportation
The foot
Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
Maybe Negativeland, maybe Matmos. I don't know. Maybe the Dead Kennedys. I'd really like to do a video for Deerhoof . . .if anyone out there can help me.
Favorite Bay Area Stereotype, and whether or not you buy into it
Everyone is always talking about how SF is so progressive. Well, in some ways that's true. On the other hand, I don't consider unbearable rent and an inefficient/expensive/wasteful transit system to be all that progressive. I could cite other examples, but...
Favorite local hangout
Adobe Books, El Farrolito's, every filthy donut shop in the city.
SF has the BEST
Syringes in the street
You've never lived in SF until
You are sick of Haight Street
Best Burrito
El Farrolito's
Best Restaurant
House of Nanking
Favorite artist to come out of the bay area
I guess Mathew Barney
Favorite Author
Though he really wasn't from here, I guess Jack Kerouac. I can't deny him.
Place you always tell visitors to check out
6th street.
Favorite Bridge in the area
IF there is a bridge without a toll, then that is my favorite.
You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Buy a CD at Aquarius Records
I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist
Nothing. But I have looked a lot.